This challenger is lucky to get off with just a parting stab in the rump. The victor returns to his females. His young will be born next spring. But the prospects are not so good for a defeated bull. After all this effort, he will now have to wait until next autumn to try his luck again. That's if he even makes it. Bull elk, exhausted by the rut, struggle/ to survive the Yellowstone winter. 

 

It's now October and the winter is catching up with the elk once more. An early flurry of snow is a sign that it's / time to make a decision.