Description - Also known as Wapiti, the Elk is one of the largest members of the deer family. Males weigh on average between 392lbs to 1095 lbs. while the smaller female Elk weigh between 375 – 650 lbs. Males are commonly referred to as bulls while females are commonly referred to as cows. Less dominant males are known as spike bulls.
Habitat - Although typically found along the Easter slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and high basins within the foothills they have also been seen in more increasing numbers in the Norther Boreal Forest zones of Alberta. An easier location without heading to one of the before mentioned areas is to visit Elk Island National Park which has an estimated 500 elk living with its boundaries.
Key Features – Elk antlers which grow over an inch a day, while a light layer of vascularized skin known and referred to by most as velvet covers and protects them. Roosevelt Elk Antlers can weigh up to 40lbs. The antlers are testosterone driven and when the testosterone levels drop in winter and early spring, the resulting decrease of testosterone causes the antlers in turn to shed. Elk have a maximum vertical jump of approximately 8 feet. Speaking of feet while elk are known to communicate by bugling as well surprisingly by their feet by little popping type sounds that come from their ankles.
Signs of Animal Activity / Warning Signs – You are in trouble during rutting season if a bull elk lowers his horns towards you and starts pawing the ground with his hooves.
Behaviors – Female herds are larger while the bulls (male elk) form small groups and may even travel alone not coming together until mating season. Dominant males are seen to follows groups of female elk during the rutt.
Most Active Time – Elk are nocturnal which means they are most active during the night in early morning and late in the evening.
Mating Season and Young – The elk mating season or rutting season as it is known by last from late August to mid-October. Remember to keep 100m distance from any elk you see ( Parks Canada Website says if you cannot cover the animals body with your thumb, its time to back up as you are to close, while some National Parks like Jasper recommend a 30m distance, to be safe and cover both, I am recommending 100m ) especially during this time of year and never park a vehicle between male and female elk., ass the male may charge your vehicle resulting in serious damage. During calving season female elk become very protective of there young and have been known to charge, another good reason to always keep 100m back. Females by their second year are capable of having 1 and on rare occasion 2 offspring.
Diet – In spring elk can be known to include grasses and sedges as their meal of choice. As the new growth of broad-leaved herbaceous plants spring up in early summer, elk include a high proportion of them in their diet. They also can be seen munching on shrubs. tree twigs and leaves. A wide variety of nutritious foods become available for them in late spring to early summer. On rare occasions elk have been known to raid birds’ nests if they come across one.
Infections and Illnesses – Chronic wasting disease, transmitted by a misfolded protein known as a prion, affects the brain tissue in elk, and has been detected throughout their range in North America. Elk that have contracted the disease begin to show weight loss, changes in behavior, increased watering needs, excessive salivation and urinating and difficulty swallowing, and at an advanced stage, the disease leads to death. No risks to humans have been documented
Migratory or Hibernation Patterns – Elk will migrate as far as 100km from high elevation summer ranges to winter ranges and feed grounds at lower elevation where there is no snow.
Tracks and Scat
