Elk rut winding down; bulls headed for deep, dark woods

HUNTING — Just in time for the the big-game rifle seasons, the elk rut is winding down and the big bulls will be slinking away from their harems to recover and hide in thick dark woods — wherever they can avoid attention from huners and wolves.

Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson caught the the bull above in September, during the peak of its glory — and vulnerability.

Now the bull’s world is all about surviving through winter.