COLORADO – The annual elk rut, or mating season, brings in tourists of all kinds to Rocky Mountain National Park and the nearby Estes Park in Colorado. Beginning in September and lasting into October, the bull elk attract and herd females into a harem, protecting their group by fighting other males.
While this time of year is great for tourists hoping to catch big bull elk bugling and fighting, it’s also a very important time to practice animal viewing safety. Bull elk are especially aggressive in the fall months, and they will charge and potentially attack humans or, in this case, cars that they see as a threat. Getting between a bull and its harem is never a good idea, even if you’re in a car.
We can give these people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they just didn’t realize they were passing between a bull and its harem, but this can still act as a good lesson. If an elk is watching you, paying attention to your movements, you’re too close. Maintaining distance is key here. They should always be given at least 25 yards, or 75 feet, of space. That does depend on where you are, so make sure to check local guidelines.
Estes Park on Elk Safety:
• 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.