Autumn is an incredible time to visit Estes Park as the summer crowds dwindle and frigid winter temperatures have yet to arrive. A bonus to checking out this picturesque Colorado town in the fall months is witnessing the annual spectacle of the elk rut in full swing.
During the elk rut, bulls compete with each other to to establish dominance and secure their harems of cows. Rutting behavior in bulls takes many forms such as bugling, battling and physically chasing away other males.
Elks’ aversion to human they display during the rest of the year is often pushed aside as they compete for dominance and it’s not unheard of for a bull elk to go straight through a crowded area while chasing both cows and bulls.
The following scene comes from Estes Park where a bull being chased by another male runs straight past a crowded area and leaps a fence at speed. A tourist with his phone out filming the action was so completely focused on the passing bull that he was completely oblivious to the other that was hot on his heels.
During the rut bulls exhibit heightened aggression as they compete for mating rights with cows. This aggression is primarily directed towards other bulls but it can also be extended to humans if they get too close. The best way to stay safe around rutting elk is by giving them their proper space and not challenging their territory in any way shape or form. It’s also important to keep your head on a swivel. Learn more about elk safety in Estes Park below.
Estes Park Police Department Guide To Safe Elk Viewing:
-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 &ldquo,jumpy&rdquo, 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 pets to harass wildlife. Residents and visitors alike are reminded to be aware of wildlife at all times and to observe safely from a distance.
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