Elk dropping guts in grass smelled bad (6)

I believe the answer is:

reeked

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'smelled bad' is the definition.
(reeking is a kind of smelling bad)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for reeked that I've seen before include "Smelt strongly" , "Smelled strongly as of drink" , "Smelled strongly and badly" , "Was foul-smelling" , "Fumed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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