It is time for the Rut!

It is time for the Rut!

The rutting season is here! Just last night I heard the first call for the rut. It is a wonderful experience to be part of as an observer. At the beginning the males eagerly round up their harems and guard them from other males that attempt to steal some if not all of each other’s harems. At first there are many male elks searching and conquering and by the end of the season the numbers of elk diminish as the sport of rutting is exhausting and the strongest elks are left to finish the season.

Some things to remember:

• Park your vehicle on roadside pullouts or where park rangers advise
• Stay by the road
• Never shine artificial lights toward the wildlife
• Watch for other cars and keep an eye on pedestrians
• Never feed wildlife
• Never approach wildlife as they maybe unpredictable