Visiting is an experience you won't soon forget. The Elk in Rut, coupled with the beautiful Fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains, is just pure magic. Bulls will bugle, and spar to dominate females and territory. Rut is mating season for the Elk, and officially beings in mid-September and runs through mid to late October. Think of it as a death sentence for the Elk. Feeding almost always leads to the animal being killed. Feeding leads to Elk associating people with food, causing them to become dangerous. Chances are, the mother is nearby, and will defend her calf. Never touch or approach a calf, even if it appears to be alone.Keeping your distance is the best way to avoid a possibly very dangerous encounter. During Rut, males (bulls) can often perceive people as a threat or competition to their territory or females.This is particularly true of cows with calves, or bulls during Rut season. While Elk seem very friendly, and docile, they are large animals that can be very dangerous.If an Elk changes its behavior due to you, you are too close, and you should back away slowly.Never approach elk within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs the Elk, or causes them to change their behavior.You'll want to follow these simple safety tips (do NOT be the guy in the photo, he's WAY too close): One of the biggest issues with the popularity of Elk, is safety, both for the Elk and for the people. Bull Manitoban Elk weight up to 700 pounds, and cows (females) up to 500 pounds. The species reintroduced into the Park are Manitoban Elk, which while still very large and majestic, are a bit smaller. Unfortunately, the Eastern Elk are extinct. The Eastern Elk were the original Elk found here the Southern Appalachian Mountains (which contain the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains). Mature Bull Elk were often 5 foot at the shoulder, weighing up to 1000 pounds, and having antlers up to 6 foot long. Manitoban - The Elk we have here in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but not the original Elk that were here.Įastern Elk were also a North American species and one the largest Elk species in the world.Rocky Mountain - Having the most diverse habitat, these Elk are found in the Rocky Mountains, and plains below them.Tule Elk were nearly hunted to extinction, but conservation efforts have brought them back. Tule - Reside in the Grassy Hills of California.They primarily reside in the Pacific Northwest. Roosevelt - The largest of all the North American species.Today there are 14, and North America has 4 of them: Many centuries ago, a number of species of Elk existed, both in North America, and other continents. Wapiti is Shawnee Indian, and means "white rump". The results of that study should be available soon.Įlk, also called Wapiti, are in the deer family, Cervidae, and are the largest species and native to North America. There is currently an effort underway to obtain a more accurate count of the Elk in and around the park. Counting the Elk has become more difficult as they've grown in numbers, and are quickly spreading out. But, many experts believe there are most likely many more than that. There are now at least 150 in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today (2019), some of those Elk, and their offspring are thriving. In 2002, another 27 Elk were brought in, bringing the total to 52. This was the first time Elk had been back in the area in over 200 years. Everything about this enormous 8×8 elk is impressive–inside antler spread of 40 2/8s inches, and main beam lengths of 53 inches (left) and 59 5/8s inches (right).Elk Reintroduced in Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National ParkĪ primary mission of the National Park Service, is to monitor both animals and plants, and in the event either are facing extinction or eliminated, the park service may decide to re-introduce the species.įortunately this was the case in 2001, when 25 Elk were brought to Cataloochee Valley, and re-introduced in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more, check out the SCI website, (Alan Hamberlin traveled to Navajo County, Arizona in October 1998 to down this giant non-typical Rocky Mountain elk. To help stir those dreams, here’s a photo gallery of some of Safari Club International’s all-time record-book elk trophies. Rare is the America big game hunter who doesn’t dream of tagging one of these elusive and awe-inspiring animals. With a body weight approaching half a ton, antlers spanning six feet, and a multi-point wide rack, white-tipped and majestic, a rut-crazed and bugling wapiti is something to behold. Few animals are as jaw-droppingly impressive as a full-grown elk. Denny Austad grabbed headlines across the country after downing the new world record elk dubbed “Spider Bull.” The huge animal officially scored 478-5/8 B&C non-typical points.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |