Estes Park, Colorado attracts thousands of tourists every fall with the aim of experiencing the mass gathering of elk during their mating season, or rut. Throughout this period bull elk compete for the right to breed with herds of females. Most of this competition takes place through the display of antlers, necks and bodies, but brutal fights will take place between combating bulls.
During the rut bulls may charge anything they perceive as a threat to their harem, including other bulls, vehicles, and people. In some cases the mere presence of people can be provocation. Tourists should give the elk plenty of space, understanding that if the animal seems to notice you, you’re too close. In this incident a woman merely sitting still was enough to trigger this bull to charge, though it fortunately stopped just before hitting her.
Though the woman left the incident uninjured, better behavior to begin with could have prevented the interaction altogether. Elk should always be given at least 25 yards (75 feet) of space while viewing, but if the animal appears to notice a person they should continue to back away. If any wildlife approaches you, you should keep backing away to maintain a safe distance. For more about proper elk safety etiquette in Estes Park, take a look at the polices department’s recommendations below:
Estes Park Elk Viewing Safety Guidelines:
- 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.