“Wherefore, let them ... commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19
Antlers are important to the life of the bull elks and are shed each year. On a mature bull, they grow as much as four feet above the head and may spread more than five feet, adding beauty and majesty to his appearance. The antlers grow during the summer and are shed in late winter.
When their antlers begin to form in early May, they are just short stubs growing on the top of the head, but they grow quickly. When full size they are still covered with a velvety skin which soon begins to shed in pieces. The elk help this shedding process by rubbing their antlers against tree trunks, stumps and rocks. When all the skin is finally removed and the antlers are polished from the rubbing, they become hard and sharp.
The bull is well aware of his new rack of antlers when he is trying to attract the females (cows). He soon finds other bulls with the same idea of challenging him. Soon there is fighting going on in the herd. Antlers are the main weapons in these contests, although they use their sharp hooves as well. They also bugle, which is a series of loud calls that establishes dominance over other males and attracts females. The older, tougher bulls usually hold their own in pushing and wrestling matches, but sooner or later they find themselves defeated by younger ones stronger than themselves. The herd then belongs to the victor.
After the herd leadership has been established, those of the Rocky Mountain species realize that winter is over, and it is time to migrate to the mountain meadows, rich in luscious grasses, plants, leaves and bark. In these travels, bulls group separately from the cows and their calves, but join again later. The trips may be relatively short or as long as 30 or 40 miles. They travel slowly, eating their way to the higher elevations where they spend the summer. In the fall they descend to lower meadows again, and in places where winters are severe and where they are officially protected, some of their food is often provided by friendly people.
Like all of God’s creatures always under His watchful care, the elk are not aware of it. But the care is very real, as it is for each of us, but in a much greater degree. The care God gives us is blessed with the rich love of His heart, which includes His supreme gift, the Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour to all who will place their trust in Him. Have you accepted this precious gift and thanked Him for it? “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
ML-12/21/2014