The animal thunderdome struck again after a massive elk charged a photographer.
PublishedOctober 2, 2025 4:00 AM EDT•UpdatedOctober 1, 2025 10:17 PM EDT
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An incredible video shows a massive elk giving a photographer the scare of a lifetime.
As I often write at OutKick, the animal thunderdome is a truly crazy place. It contains unmatched beauty and it also can be absolutely unhinged and crazy.
You never know how the cards will be dealt when you step out into the wild. You hope for the best, but also understand you could find yourself in some trouble.
That leads us to a wild video of an elk stirring up some problems.
Male elk can weigh north of 1,000 pounds. While generally not aggressive, you still don’t want to mess with them. (Credit: Getty Images Creatives)
Massive elk charges photographer.
An insane video is going viral that shows a massive bull elk charging a photographer, who had to take cover like a tornado was barreling down.
“This morning, a bull elk charged a photographer. Thankfully, no one was hurt.. just a good reminder that during rut season, these animals are wild, powerful, and unpredictable,” the popular Facebook page Colorado Wild Photography shared near the end of September.
Give the footage a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. It might be the coolest thing you see all day.
This is what I believe the kids call a “big yikes” moment. The funniest part is the guy dived for cover, and then had to retreat after realizing that strategy wasn’t going to work well.
The comments, as expected, were also full of funny reactions:
- Why don’t they charge me when I’m hunting for them!
- The Fall Rut is on…!!
- Wild animals are wild animals, you could be filing or photographing 1/4 mile away and they can decide to switch up and charge. This photographer did amazing at keeping his composure! Kudos
- Mating season is serious business ! lol
- We are just visitors to there lands.
- Thank goodness for a concrete picnic table!!!
- Photo op of the century.
- Thank goodness no one was hurt. Poor bull just wants his ladies back!
- Love the steam coming out of the nostrils. He da man!
- How come they never do that when I have my bow in my hand 🤨
- Just a reminder that these animals are literally *wild* not just during rut season…. They’re more unpredictable during the rut but they is wild animals my dudes 🥸
- The elk just said…,Stay off of my lawn! 😁🤣
A wild elk was filmed charging a photographer, and the footage is going viral online. (Credit: Getty Images Creatives)
Always be alert when dealing with wild animals, especially during the rut. It might just keep you out of the hospital. Do you have a fun nature or hunting story? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.