In a -25°F Minnesota deep freeze, a 900-pound world-record elk famously somersaulted into the muck. Despite a daring 2×4 rescue, the "Mud Bull" remains the state’s most tragic, 462-inch gymnastics fail.

Idaho investigators say an archery-season trophy bull elk was illegally killed with a rifle—and then staged to look like a legal bow kill. A recovered 6.5 mm bullet, a search warrant, and additional spotlighting allegations in a separate case helped drive major penalties, including jail time, steep fines, restitution, and long-term hunting license revocations.