Movie Review, Elknut Forum Style.....

[WapitiTalk1]

OK campers, let's talk about elk behavior and language. This movie is action packed, well produced, has a great cast of characters, and a plucky spirit. Let's do it like this to keep it on track:

1. Pick a spot in the VID and report what you see/hear. Please identify the timeframe, i.e., 1:04 thru 1:12 and tell us what you see and/or hear. What do you feel is happening in that particular activity, vocalization, etc.

2. Respond to somebody's observation/analysis with an agree, don't agree, and perhaps some follow on comments if you'd like.



I'll start.

2:03 - 2:44. Satellite bull flies in from right side of meadow to try and hook some cows as the two large bulls finish their battle in the river. Big gimpy comes unglued and charges towards satellite bull screaming obsenities at the young bull to move on. Satellite bull throws out a few popping grunts to try and keep the cow's attention on him.

Agree? Disagree? Anything you wish to add to this analysis? Thanks for playing along. RJ

[WapitiTalk1]

OK, I'll respond to the first post... mine (grin).

Phantom said: "Big gimpy comes unglued and charges towards satellite bull screaming obsenities at the young bull to move on."

OK, do you think old gimpy in the 2:03 - 2:44 clip I mentioned is really screaming at the satellite? He's not, he's screaming at his cows to form back up (calling cows to him bugle).. notice where his physical attention is when he's screaming (looking directly at the cows the satellite is pushing). The herd bull's on-coming presence is enough to let the satellite know he's gonna kick his butt; they've both been here before, possibly for the past several years. The young gun knows what's coming and big nasty isn't talking to him, he's talking to his ladies!

Somebody else pick a spot in the movie and let us know what you think is going on.

[Tigger]

I agree with your second post, but I think there was a little something in the vocalizations for that second intruder as well. I wonder how much the gimp is seen by other elk as an opportunity. The challenger at the beginning is a little smaller....did he see the limp and say to himself, ahhh, I am gonna get that sucker this time? Only to be disappointed when Mr. Gimpy isn't so gimpy after all?

[GobbleFarmer]

Yea your second post sounds correct, you had me at first, I was thinking why would he scream at the satellite and look at his cows at the same time. I thought for sure the other bull was going to whoop gimpy! Cool vid awesome scenery!

[chiledog]

Yep, guess I will have to put in with my inexperience. I agree mostly with your analysis. But I believe that while he is bugling to the cows, I think he puts in a couple of warning barks at 'the kid'.
At 1:09 while walking side by side in the river, gimpy bugles to his harem (like, stay put. I'll be back shortly). At 1:52 at the end of the river battle, he does a menacing bugle at the loser and then a short grunt? Not sure why. Then at about 2:34 bugles to the cows to settle down and one final bark 2:39 at the kid. Great video in any case.

[Rangerz]

I liked this clip as well. Here is my uneducated 2 cents.

Opening clip, Forest tries to call in the cows, then Gimpy gives them his own cow call. I like they way they walk side by side in the river sizing each other up. Then Gimpy opens a can whoop butt on Forest. The growl at the end of the fight almost sounds like a dominance call/grunt.

When Gimpy sees the other satellite moving in he gives another gathering call. I can't tell who is barking, but I think it might be one of the cows.

Cool video.