One of the big bull Moose of the Gros Ventre.

Commonly called Washakie by the locals, this big bull has been a fixture along the river from August until late in the fall and early winter. Washakie spends much of his fall near the pullout along the Gros Ventre, so many photographers get to see him. He has always had distinctive brow tines, but a few years ago, he had a big gash on the side of his muzzle resembling war paint. Check this link for information on Chief Washakie. Additionally, Washakie has a cut on the back edge of his right ear, seen in the photo above taken in the fall of 2013. Washakie and the rest of the bulls may hang around the Gros Ventre all summer, but they are difficult to identify until their antlers grow out.

Washakie’s antlers grow back about the same from year to year as seen in this 2012 photo. You can see the scar in this one, too, but the ear is covered.

This is a 2006 photo of what I believe was Washakie. The brow tines are still quite similar, but he hadn’t been in the battle that caused his cut.

Washakie crossing a side channel of the Gros Ventre while still in velvet.

Washakie Photos: This is a random collection of photos I’ve taken of Washakie over the years.

Equipment Notes: Until I received my Nikon D4 in March of 2012, I was using a Nikon D300 body. Most of he time it was paired up with a Nikon 70-200mm lens in the fall. Worked like a charm for fall moose! The D4 is full frame camera, so I switched over to using a Nikon 200-400mm lens. In the early part of 2013, I purchased a Nikon D800 and use it fairly often with the moose, but I usually have the D4 and a 28-300mm lens around my neck. I can always switch bodies if I feel like I will be getting action shots—or use the D4 and 28-300mm if I need to capture a wide shot.

Other Featured Moose:

• Custer: Majestic Bull Moose Along the Gros Ventre River
• Elvis—King of the Gros Ventre