(Encountered along the Flathead River on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana.)
December 9, 2008
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Montana Outdoors 
Very impressive! I would not want to be on the receiving end of a head-butt from that fella.
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Comment by Tabbie — December 9, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
I was able to approach to within about twenty yards of him Tabbie, and only when he turned and ran did I realize just how massive he was! This was a very big, heavy and muscular ram and he reminded me once again how awesome they can be, and how wonderful it is just to know that they are still out there roaming free!
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Comment by montucky — December 9, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Oooooo!! Beautiful beautiful!! What a gorgeous big boy!
Where did you see him? It looks like near the same place where you took the picture of the one in the snow, is it?
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Comment by gradschoolsara — December 9, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
This one was near Perma, Sara. He was all alone and fairly close to the road when I first saw him. It’s an unusual place to see Big Horns, but makes me wonder if perhaps they might be found along the Reservation Divide trail! A good thought to remember for next summer!
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Comment by montucky — December 9, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
What a handsome animal!
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Comment by Bo — December 9, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
He sure is, Bo! I wish you could have seen him when he ran. He simply exuded power!
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Comment by montucky — December 9, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
Now that is truly the “King of the Hill!”, wow!
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Comment by Cedar — December 10, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Woah! What a capture! 🙂
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Comment by Sumedh Prasad — December 10, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I bet he is in his area, Cedar, although the tips of his horns don’t show the effects of much fighting, indicating that there may be an even larger one around there somewhere.
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Comment by montucky — December 10, 2008 @ 9:52 am
Sure posed nicely, didn’t he, Sumedh!
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Comment by montucky — December 10, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Beautiful animal. I just recently had to do some physics regarding the acceleration experienced when two of those rams head-butt each other at top speed. It’s awe-inspiring.
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Comment by wolf — December 10, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Nice shot. I’ve only gotten that close on park roads where the bighorns are out there begging for food.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — December 10, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Once I got to see one of those contests, Wolf, and it was unbelievable! I’ll never forget it!
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Comment by montucky — December 10, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Malcolm,
I’ve seen those too, and a few miles west of here lots of them come down on the highway for the salty taste of the chloride they spray on the roads in the winter. This guy was special because he’s still quite wild and doesn’t live in an area where he’s on the road much. On quite a few occasions though I’ve had them let me approach fairly close in the back country.
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Comment by montucky — December 10, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
That IS a solid shot. 20 yards! Impressive.
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Comment by Evan — December 10, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Evan,
The photo was taken from more than twenty yards though: when I was closer he started moving faster than I could get the camera going. (Also I have to confess, I was so much in awe of his size and obvious power that taking pictures was second on my mind. For several seconds I just plain enjoyed what I was watching!)
Thanks for visiting!
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Comment by montucky — December 10, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
WOW!!
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Comment by silken — December 14, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
That’s what I think too, Silken! There’s something almost magical about them.
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Comment by montucky — December 14, 2008 @ 11:30 pm