This is obviously much larger than the average whitetail or mule deer, and should be taken into consideration when hunting. The average mature bull elk will be about 5 feet tall at the shoulder, 8 feet long, and weigh about 700 pounds. All references to bull elk on this webpage will be with regard to Rocky Mountain Elk. Rocky Mountain Elk – With the largest population and range, these elk are the most commonly hunted, and are indeed the focus of this website.Tule Elk – The smallest bodied elk subspecies is located in small pockets of California.Manitoba Elk – These elk are located in the southwestern corner of Manitoba, southeastern Alberta and the southern half of Saskatchewan.Roosevelt Elk – The bulls of this subspecies have the largest bodies, and they are primarily located in the Northwestern United States, Western Canada, and Alaska.The characteristics of these subspecies differ slightly. There are four distinct subspecies of elk that live in North America, and close relatives that live in Europe. If you are going to hunt, or even just observe and photograph bull elk, it will be good to have a more in depth knowledge of the animals and their behaviors. Their distinctive mating call, or bugle, during the rut is like no other animal. Certainly their massive size, both in body and antler, makes them one of the most prized hunting trophies. There are many characteristics of bull elk that create their mystique. Images of these awesome creatures can be seen representing everything from insurance companies to fraternal organizations. Elk on the Estes Park Golf Course.Bull elk are probably the most majestic and iconic animals of the deer family. They’re also fond of the north end of town with its wide-open spaces. The elk especially like the town’s two golf courses, so check out the 9-hole course near the Information Center by the intersection of Hwy 34 and Hwy 36 right downtown and the 18-hole course a little south of Hwy 36 on Fish Creek Road east of Lake Estes. Visitors to the town are likely to see elk all year round stopping traffic, munching away on flowers and roaming around neighborhoods. In fact, one herd of about 30 elk call Estes Park their home. Related story: Autumn Elk Rutting Season Elk in Estes Park, ColoradoĮlk are common sight in the gateway town of Estes Park. The North Longs Peak Trail east of the Boulder Brook Trail is another great spot. Also look for them on the edge of clearings in Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Horseshoe Park and Kawuneeche Valley.
Rocky mountain elk weight full#
The loud bugles reverberate throughout the park, and as surrounding quaking aspens shimmer against the full moon light, the experience can become surreal. Possibly one of the best ways to experience this phenomenon is to head into the backcountry during a full moon and fall asleep under the starts. Throughout the Park and surrounding regions the bulls bugle can be heard signifying the changing season and start of winter preparation. The point is to attract as many cows as possible to the bull Elk.
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The bugles start out as a high-pitch cry and then become a series of low resonating grunts. This is one of the true highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Fall is an especially good time to look for elk as they’re in the height of their mating season, known as the rut season.
Instead cautiously walk around the herd making sure to stay in their sight lines. Never approach an Elk or try to pet it since they can charge without warning. If you do encounter a heard of Elk in the high country make sure not to startle them. During this time, which typically lasts from mid-September to mid-October, larger, antlered males weighing up to 1,100 pounds and standing roughly 5 feet tall try to attract female elk, known as cows. One of our favorite trails to view herds is the North Longs Peak Trail east of the Boulder Brook Trail.Įlk move down into the lower valleys during the fall and winter. Seeing Elk in Rocky Mountain Park Elk in full velvet in June in Rocky Mountain National Park Gloria WadzinskiĮlk prefer the high areas in the backcountry during the summer. This is also a prime time to view the Elk as bulls loudly bugle in search of mates. Residing in the high reaches of the backcountry during summer, the Elk move down into lower valleys during fall to mate and ride out the winter. Slowly regaining their powerful presence it is now believed there are over 2,500 Elk thought the Park at any given time. Nearly wiped out by hunters during the late 1800’s, Elk were reintroduced into the Park in 1913. Traveling in herds across open tundra and low-lying valleys, Elk are routinely considered the main wildlife attraction. A defining sight in Rocky Mountain National Park, Elk are large, loud, and highly visible. Rocky Mountain National Park is known best for two reasons: mountains and Elk. Elk grazing in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park Erik Stensland
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