Bucket hats are the new helmets.

Do they have the same effectiveness? That’s a big fat no, though I can’t condemn them fully because the “bucket hat protective method” seemed to work for this wildlife photographer in this viral video from 2013. Somehow, someway, this guy’s bucket hat managed to save him during a close encounter with an elk.

Most wildlife photographers try and keep their distance from the subjects their shooting. That’s why you always see them lugging around lenses that look more like cartoonish telescopes. They’re aware of the National Park Service guidelines to stay 25 yards away from wild animals, and 100 yards away from more dangerous wildlife like bears and wolves.

Initially, this photographer was probably a safe distance away from this elk. But he must have done something to anger or get the attention of the antlered creature at some point, because when the footage picks up, the elk is boldly getting in the face of the photographer… with its antlers.

When the elk lowered its head, the photographer did the same, leading to an unlikely head-butt-off. I don’t imagine that this is the best way to handle an elk attack, though then again, the method appeared to work okay for this man. He just got lucky that the animal’s antlers didn’t have more points.

There’s a good chance that the elk only got confrontational because it thought it was bigger than the man sitting on the ground. As soon as the photographer stood up (after a couple of tense moments of antlers catching his hat and shirt), the elk backed away. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but this bucket-hat-wearing man handled it as best as he could.

Check it out:

Bucket Hat- 1, Elk- 0.

Obviously the person in the above video would have been better off not ever getting that close to a wild animal in the first place. Considering the circumstances though, the impromptu utilization of his bucket hat as a shield and his own head lowering probably helped him walk away unscathed.

Social media users were terrified on the photographer’s behalf in the reply section below the post:

Unfortunately, the bull was put down after this incident, as it wasn’t his first instance of aggressive behavior. Both the photographer and the person who captured the viral video were saddened at the news:

The photographer said:

“I love and respect animals and that’s why I photograph them and don’t hunt them. I am deeply hurt by the loss of such a beautiful creature that in its own way bonded with me. I looked forward to watching him grow to a mature bull as the years passed. I’m truly heartbroken to know he is gone.”

And the man who captured the viral video said:

“I am deeply saddened by the fate of the elk. It has certainly pulled a black cloud over this whirlwind “viral video” experience. I spoke to the reporter who broke the story and she assured me the decision was based on a pattern of aggressive behavior that began prior to the incident documented in this video. The behavior was the result of visitors feeding the elk and conditioning them to seek food from humans. This video only serves as an example of the elk’s dangerous behavior, not an impetus to it.

Again, it brings me great sadness to learn of this beautiful animal’s demise and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it. I’m looking into a destination for proceeds from this video to help the NPS educate visitors on the dangers and consequences of feeding wildlife.

I also want to be clear that James, the photographer, was not complicit in a behavior that led to the elk’s demise, but rather was made an example of the result of such behaviors. The elk approached him from behind, likely looking for food as he was conditioned to do.”

You hate to see it…