WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The dust has settled from the rut. Whitetail bucks are licking their wounds and trying to recover their strength after the rigors of avoiding hunters while displaying dominance and winning the chance to mate.

But it's a tough life, even for the bucks on the top of the heap.  The fighting, and mating is over, and buck hunting seasons are closed.

Now -- winter.

"This guy is a warrior," says Montana outdoor photographer Jaimie Johnson. "He had a really close call jousting – almost lost his left eye!"