Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Saw the Largest Animal on Land in North America.

Last week I got a chance to see the largest animal on land in North America. I was out in California visiting my brother and took a trip about an hour south of San Francisco to a state park to watch the Elephant Seals who migrate to the area this time of year. The largest on record was 18 ft long and weighed 6,000 lbs. Witness a couple of big bulls during their mating fights as well as numerous newborn pups. Quite a nature show to behold.

How much are tags?

A�o Nuevo is pretty interesting, isn't it? I came over a dune one time whill walking back to the parking lot there one time, and was almost on top of a bull that was sunning itself. I backed up real quick, and real quiet.

A�o Nuevo is also home to a good sized Great White shark population, and is considered the southern point of the "red triangle"

Regards,
Scot

Ano Nuevo State Park it was. I can see how someone could easily walk up on one for they are all over the beach and dunes, most lying motionless. Could give someone cause for concern. The cast of a Elephnant Seal skull at the visitors center was impressive with it's massive K-9s that dwarfed the Grizzly skull there, illustated how powerful and dangerous they can be. According to the guide the Great Whites lay off shore in the deeper water waiting to make a meal of a pup when they venture into the ocean.

Well, Lost, you've never been to Sebago Lake State Park, have you? On the beach there, there be Great White Whales galore! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

In my early twenties, I paddled out to a lonely little point break in Baja California. I was out there by myself surfing for about an hour. Sitting alone beyond the break zone, I was contemplating life, fish tacos, and a cold Corona, when all of a sudden the water around me exploded and a bull sea lion stood up out of the water and stared at me. He checked me out for about 3 or 4 seconds (which felt like 5 miunutes) before diving back in headfirst and disappearing.

I don't know if he was 600 pounds or 6000 pounds, but he sure seemed like the latter, and I always wondered just how long he was in the water around me before showing himself, and just how long after he stayed around. All I know is that kept my hands and feet out of the water for a long time, and when I didn't get attacked, I figured I'd better catch one in.

It was good to hit the sand that day.

Impressive animals!

Rick

LostHighway, You mention they "migrate to this area". How long do they stay there? Any idea when they arrive or leave? It sounds pretty good.

And Scott, I'll bite. What's the "Red Triangle"?

Thanks in advance.

Rick - an aquaintence was snorkling out by the Rock in Cabo, when a 10 or 12 foot shark cruised by 10 feet below him.

He suddenly realized he was NOT at the top of the food chain!!! There, anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nevada
They migrate up the Pacific Coast to Alaska and back down again in mid/late Dec. to breed in California for about six weeks if my memory is correct until late Jan./early Feb. My understanding is this is only time they are on land and spend 90 % of their life under water. You can call and make reservations at the state park for tours, the tours are popular so call in advance.

The Elephant Seal population is booming on the West Coast. About ten or so years ago, they started another nursery near San Simeon just off of Hwy 1. Plenty of Touron idiocy ensued, what with folks that just didn't understand that these were wild animals, and getting real darn close, if not even trying to pet them.

Dan - As for the "Red Triangle", it is a triangle with points at A�o Nuevo, the Farrallon Islands, and Point Reyes. Inside this triangle is where there are more sightings of Great White Sharks than anywhere else in North America. Not a great place to be a seal pup.

Regards,
Scott

For a minute I thought you were talking about Michael Moore <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Elephant seals are huge, and love to fight the neighbors that want to steal their much smaller females.

las, we were surfing on Hatteras Isl, everyone except one guy came in, beer break. We looked out at Mike W. and someone saw the fin, blactip shark. We yelled and yelled, Mike was far enough out he couldn't hear us, he was just laying on his board chilling out. The shark swam around him for about five minutes and dissapeered. He fianally came in and he didn't believe us at first, he never saw the shark.

Anytime you set foot in the ocean you've entered the food chain! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

LostHighway and Scott,
Thanks for the information. It sounds like a place my wife and I would like to visit.

-Dan

i saw video once where one fairly large bull decided a parking lot by the beach was his new territory. IIRC a couple vehicles needed a tow truck to leave the parking lot after the big ol' seal was done defending his patch of land from all comers. pretty impressive!