Anyone who has ever been to a national park knows that there are some real trophy animals out there that will never be hunted. With no hunting pressure and no real threats from predators, some animals grow to extreme sizes (and shapes). Like this brute, who was allegedly photographed on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in central Washington where there is no hunting.These pictures have been floating around the web for awhile and the big boy has been named the “Hanford Bull.”There are big elk herds that hang out on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and this elk is suspected to be one of them.No, his antlers did not grow that big because he’s been browsing on nuclear waste. At least we don’t think so.For a comparison, here’s a huge (but typical) bull that also hangs out in the area.Now see him next to the Hanford Bull.With no hunting pressure, and no real threat from predators, who knows how big this bull will eventually grow. What do you think he would score?It turns out that a parking lot is a pretty good place to escape hunting pressure.This freak of a mule deer wanders around downtown Colorado Springs.Check out the huge, drooping droptine on the right side.The message that came with this photo was: “He probably won’t get shot, but he will get hit by a car.”He’s estimated to have between 35 and 40 points, but nobody really knows for sure. Any guesses on what you think he will score?
Alex Robinson is Outdoor Life’s editor-in-chief. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running.
