A most unusual photo but it shows a part of their culture there, so thanks for putting this in your gallery. We who don't hunt, go there to see live animals, but my ancestors had to hunt for deer meat to survive, so it is part of life. ko
Oh, and for those that don't like hunters or hunting, this is far better than a pack of blood thirsty wolves eating on the elk while it is still alive. Hunters help manage wildlife, and via fees, pay for wildlife management. Wolves just kill wildlife, and they are doing a fine job of decimating the buffalo and elk populations in the Yellowstone area.
Seeing this image stongly reinforces the fact that I do not share a hunters' culture and never will. You touched a strong, emotional chord with this one, Rose.
Very incongruous, Rose - the men seem to be enjoying themselves, while the elk, with tongue askew, remains forever mute. This is an interesting example of how cultural context affects the meaning of photographs. Those who enjoy hunting will view this image as a satisfying reward for a day in the field. Those who are who do not share a hunters culture might well view this image as gruesome, or even barbaric. I've posted an image made in Tunisia that also uses the head of a dead animal to make a cultural point athttp://www.pbase.com/image/106453095
My God!!! this has to be one of the most unusual images I a ever seen on one of the Yellowstone trips. I'm sure that hunters see this type of thing often - but ... it's just amazing.