The Wonders of God’s Creation
Antlers, crowning elk’s heads from May until the following March when they are shed, are important to the life of the stags (males). On a mature male they rise as much as four feet above the head and have a spread of about five feet. They are composed of two sections on which “spikes” grow out, adding beauty and majesty to their appearance.
When their antlers begin to form in early May, they are just short stubs growing on the top of the head. But they grow quickly, and when full size they are covered with an outer velvety skin which soon drops off in chunks. The elk help this shedding process by rubbing their antlers against tree trunks, stumps and rocks. When all the skin is finally removed and the bones polished by the rubbing, the antlers become hard and sharp.
The stag is well aware of his new rack of antlers when he is trying to attract the females (cows), but finds other stags with the same idea challenging him. Soon there is a great deal of fighting going on in a herd. The older, tough stags usually hold their own in pushing and wrestling matches, but sooner or later find themselves defeated by younger ones stronger than themselves. The herd then belongs to the victor.
Antlers are the principal weapons in these contests, although they use their sharp hooves as well. But there is sometimes deep tragedy, as their antlers lock together and they are unable to separate them. Eventually, too weak to stand up, they fall down with their antlers still locked, both of them destined to die for lack of water and food.
After the herd leadership has been established, those of the Rocky Mountain variety realize that winter is over, and it is time to migrate to the mountain meadows, rich in luscious grass. In these travels, stags group separately from the cows and their calves, but join again later. The trips may be relatively short, or as long as 30 or 40 miles. They travel slowly, eating their way to the higher elevations where they spend the summer. In fall they descend to lower meadows again, and in places where winters are severe and where they are officially protected, some of their food is often provided by friendly people.
Like all of God’s creatures, elk, always under His watchful care, are not aware of it. But the care is very real, as it is for each of us but in a much greater degree. The care God gives us is blessed with the rich love of His heart which includes His supreme gift, the Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour to all who will put their trust in Him. Have you accepted this precious gift and thanked Him for it? “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:1515Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15).
ML-09/18/1988