The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1926-11-11
"WESTLAND TRAILS
(By H. C. REAGAN
All rights reserved
CHAPTER TWELVE
(Continuedl
CAMP FIRE STORIES
Elk Band in the Plateau

Elk Band in the Plateau
A remarkable event occurred above F
Black Tail Deer Greek one morning
early in the fall before the snow had
fallen. Spencer and some others were
going into Cooke City. The trip from
Gardiner to the plateau was made dur
ing a period of darkness and it was
just beginning to break the darkness
into twilight. The air was still, moth
ing. moving apparently except the
team. All at once there was heard
the shrill whistle of the sentinels who
are situated upon the highest points
adjacent a heard of elk and through
the dim light could be seen and heard
a vast body of Elk who were rising to
their feet and milling around as they
do getting their bearings and moving
away from the danger of which they
had been warned by the sentinel. With
rush as of the wind, upon getting
the wind of Speneers party they
plunged in ahead making for the high
ridges to the North trail. The day
light was now increasing so that
Spencer and his party could see the
vast herd of elk that they had sur
prised in their slumber. AS a rule the
elk will not run very far away from
domestic animals or persons with
them in the National Park. The sight
to view was grand, young and old,
male and female were of the group
following their leader. The vast herd
ran along the ridge for miles and
always ahead of the team. At point
where the valley widens out between
the ranges on each side the leader of
the Elk made up his mind to pass over
to the other range across the valley.
This sight and action of the herd was
beautiful to behold. 1t seems that
there was some definite understand
ing regarding their formation, wheth-
er accidental or not. They came down
from tie high ridge and formed
across the valley by twos. When they
had all come down they turned face
towards the team coming up the trail
as in military array breast to breast
and straight line. A beautiful sight.
This was caused by curiosity, an in
herent characteristic in deer or elk.
Upon the approach of the team
the elk faced in a straight line by
twos and swept across the valley
towards the mountain range. Upon
the leader reaching the base of the
mountain the head of one column
turned to the right and the other to
the left they again about faced and
stood looking at the party passing by
on the trail towards Cooke. This ac-
ton occurring as the morning sun was
coming up over the mountains would
have to be seen to be appreciated in
fullness and beauty. 1t was estimated
that there was about three thousand
elk in the herd, small portion of the
forty thousand in the park at that
time.
Hearthrokan
The bull elk is large animal and
holds his position as the leader of the
herd owing to the survival of the fit
; test. He must fight for it and when
for any cause he fails to hold his
own his supremacy is gone. Beautiful
is he in his supreme majesty or prime,
to behold him as he stands in his ma
tive form with antlers held aloof
Every muscle taunt and the challenge
is sent forth to meet him in battle.
He is lord Of the herd. 1t is the Gus
tom for the bulls to assemble with
themselves during period of the year
| UQG WlSI lllG Coll COIIcS W lIllS dlt
the bulls lead the way. Advance be-
yond the herd of cows and see that
all is we'll and the trail clear from
danger. The leader whistles through
his nostrils, a sharp, shrill whistle
which the cows obey and come on
bringing with them their young. This
action is repeated during the journey.
To hear this peculiar whistle on cold
morning for the first time is exciting.
Spencer beheld heartrendering scene
one evening when the deer and elk
were seeking the lower altitude away
from the snow line. The herd had
come on to plateau overlooking the
Gardiner River and placed their sent
inels on the high points as guards.
Later on he beheld a large bull elk
trailing along by himself. This animal
was a splendid bull, carrying large
antlers. The incident appealed to
Spencer as having some popularity so
he followed the bull which went