Thrashing Vegetation--Another Ritual of the Rut VI

Thrashing vegetation—another ritual of the rut, or mating season. This bull elk left his herd in the meadow and went toward the forest to frantically beat up the young trees with his antlers He also rubbed his antlers and his body on them to leave his scent to announce his presence and dominance over other bulls. Once finished releasing some hormonal energy, he bugled and calmly returned to his herd.