Bighorn Rut Cautious Mountainside Mating
Late in the Bighorn Sheep Rut, the two Bighorn Bosses of this area have been well established. You can make out the largest and most dominant Ram as he ascends and moves mountainside, with number two backing down. During the Aggressive Bighorn Rutting season, you can witness death defying battles upon mountain edges, or the kind of cautious respect witnessed here. Early in the Rut, mountain edge battles for mating rights are common, but here, these Bighorns show the intelligence to be cautious and respectful as the largest Bighorn Boss moves up and towards the Ewes to mate.
Bighorn Rut Behavior with Some of the Largest Rams
Some heightened Bighorn Sheep behavior during the Rutting Season. It has been a little more rare for so many Rams, including some of the Largest Rams seen this rut, to continue competing and fighting to mate for such a long duration. While there were a couple clear Bighorn Bosses that ruled when they asserted themselves, some young energetic Rams showed lots of incredible genetics, stamina and stubbornness. Hopefully, many new Lambs appear this Summer as a result of a successful Rutting Season.
Bighorn Bash
Bighorn headbutting at the height of the Bighorn Sheep Rut. Lots of Ram Rut fighting was captured this year and this is some of the best headbutts of these powerful creatures.
Bighorn Sheep Rut - Canada's Angry Ram Mating Dance
Bighorn Rams Fighting for Mating rights During the Bighorn Sheep Rut. The larger Bighorns with superior genetics are able to battle like this for quite a long time during the bighorn sheep mating season. Several larger Rams are seen here battling for the right to mate on this day.
Bighorn Sheep Rut - The Mating Chase
With Ewes in estrus, Bighorn Sheep Rams become very worked up and the Mating Dance ensues. Head butting becomes a common occurrence during these peak Bighorn Rutting days.
Big Rams Fighting for Mates
Big Rams Fighting for Mates During the Bighorn Sheep Rut. Bighorns with superior genetics are able to keep this battle pace up for quite a long time during the bighorn sheep mating season. Two larger heavyweight Rams are seen here battling on this day.
Epic Canadian Rockies Bighorn Ram Battle
In nature with Canadian Rocky Mountain Bighorn Rams fighting during their rutting season. We were very lucky to witness this Epic Battle between two very gifted Bighorn Rams.
RAM Tough - Light Heavyweight Battle
Two Bighorn Rams separated from the herd to perform their ritual head butting battle. It almost appears that one Ram simply did not want the other one following him around during this time of the rutting season. The moments were captured over the course of a couple hours into dark. These Bighorn Sheep Rams looked as if they were going to continue their fighting much later into the night. *Thank you for your patience with us.. these moments are too rare to let the dark make us part early at the end of a great day!
Rockies Rams During the Bighorn Sheep Rut
Rockies Ram behaviors during the Bighorn Sheep Rut. Bighorn Sheep mating season shows much more aggressive Ram behavior as they court Ewes and try to block other Rams from mating. When Ewes are in estrus, Rams will detect it through the flehmen response, which immediately heightens competition among the big males. Short Fights and jostling is common with big head butting battles being more rare.