3/18: Helicopter elk hunt

From MSNBC Week in Pics comes an absolute beauty, of an Elk hunt in Washington state. But not a lethal hunt. They're shooting tranquilizer darts here, and the idea is to pick these elk up and move them to the south side of Mount Rainier. Apparently the native elk in that location are dwindling and someone doesn't want that to happen.

I tell you this, if I were the shooter here, I would make sure to go to the bathroom before anchoring in. Because if you didn't go before starting the run, you'd probably go during it.

That is just... an awesome shot.

Did you notice they even caught the dart in mid-flight!

first thing that came to mind: smartass chopper piliot
second: hope that guy is strapped on with a decent harness otherwise he's going to be a: allota of pain(bad harness) b: intensive care

sweet pic though

Dang, do you see how low the tail of the helicopter is to the ground? Just a few feet away from touching... Maybe that last elk is in risk of getting grazed from the rear propellors...

Amazing shot.

Although the helicopter does look like it is very close to the ground I would venture a guess that there is a small ravine behind the grassline. You can see the other side through the tall grass. Also it looks like this 'copter has been specially outfitted for hunting, besides whatever harness the gunman has, he also has his own foot rail mounted on the crosstubes of the skid.

The timing of this shot(s) is impecable.

And he's wearing the mandatory blaze orange...
for safety, don'cha know? :)