Viewing the Elk Rut

The elk mating season, better known as "the rut", has arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains, which means that the best time to view elk in the park is between now and the next couple of weeks (usually from September to early October).

In 2001 and 2002, 52 elk were reintroduced as part of an experiment to determine whether they could re-populate the lands within the Smokies after a nearly 200-year absence. These original elk populations were transfers from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area along the Tennessee-Kentucky border.

Since then, the elk population in the park has grown to an estimated 125 animals.

The best places to see elk in the Smokies during the rut are in the Cataloochee Valley and near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The best times for viewing are early in the morning and just before sunset.

The elk rut is characterized by the loud bugling noise made by adult males. The typical bugle call of a bull elk is a distinctive sound that begins deep and resonant, and becomes a high pitched squeal before ending in a succession of grunts. Elk males use a combination of bugling and aggressive behavior in an attempt to establish dominance over other males in order to attract females. Their calls can be heard from more than a mile away.

With hormones raging during this time period, gigantic battles among competing males are common. Large bulls use their antlers to intimidate and spar with other males. Most encounters are ritualistic and involve little physical contact; only occasionally do conflicts result in serious injuries to one or more combatants.

If you plan on viewing this incredible spectacle, be sure to bring binoculars. Also, stay a safe distance away from all elk. Males are extremely aggressive and unpredictable.

To get an idea of what the typical behavior of elk is during the rut season, including the distinctive bugle call, check out the video from the Great Smoky Mountains Association:


� GSMA 2010. All rights reserved.













Jeff
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Elk in the Smokies Program

The Smoky Mountain Field School will be offering a program next month that will provide visitors with the chance to learn about the experimental elk release in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Attendees will view elk and their behaviors during the mating season, hear bugling, and learn how researchers track and monitor elk in the Smokies.

The course instructor will be Joe Yarkovich, a Wildlife Management/Elk Research Coordinator for the National Park Service. Joe has spent time working on wildlife projects in Sequoia National Park, Santa Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, various Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, and has played an instrumental part with the Smoky Mountains elk program as well.

The program will take place in the Cataloochee Valley, and will run from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on Saturday, September 24, 2011. The cost will be $49. For more information, please click here.


Jeff
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The Cataloochee Valley

Interesting (artistic?) video of the Cataloochee Valley by Matt Brass. Apparently he and his buddies recently spent a few days camping in the southeastern portion of the Smokies when they shot this:

Cataloochee (GSMNP) from Matt Brass on Vimeo.

Jeff
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