ESTES PARK, Colorado – Every year, between September and October, tourists arrive to Estes Park, Colorado, by the thousands. Why then, and not in the summer when the weather is warmest? For elk rut, of course! And when people arrive by the thousands to view a wild animal during an especially agressive time for them, some bad decisions are sadly almost certain to be made.
Elk rut is elk mating season. During this period, male elk create a harem, a group of cow elk with one dominant bull. These bulls are especially protective of their harem, battling other males and occasionally becoming agressive towards people, vehicles, and anything else that might move. People frequent the Estes Park area during this time due to the number of elk usually found throughout the town, with the potential to witness sparring bull elk and hear the iconic elk bugle. But maintaining a safe distance and understanding how to behave around these animals is key, and not infrequently ignored.
Seth Powell‘s clip shows several instances of people being unsafe around rutting bull elk. No matter the time of year, both cow and bull elk need to be given plenty of space. Like bison, moose, and many other animals, this means 25 yards, or 75 feet. The length of two typical busses, for context. It’s clear people several people in the video are just a few yards from these bulls, putting themselves, and potentially the animals, in serious danger.
Estes Park Police Department on Viewing Elk Safely:
- Elk are wild animals which must be observed from a safe distance to avoid injury or death. If an animal is carefully watching you and appears “jumpy” when you move, you are too close.
- Keep pets secured on a leash and do not allow them to bark at, lunge at, or chase wildlife.
- Never block traffic. Move your vehicle to a safe place completely off the roadway to watch elk.
- Do not imitate an elk call, or bugle, when elk are irritable during the rut. This can endanger you and the elk.
- Elk know no boundaries, but people do. Respect private property when viewing wildlife.
The Estes Park Police Department does enforce wildlife laws including laws against feeding or harassing wildlife, or allowing one’s pet to harass wildlife.