Estes Park, Colorado, is a year-round tourist destination, offering easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park, incredibly mountain hotels and cabins like those at the YMCA of the Rockies, top-notch golfing, and much more, but the town really shines during the annual elk mating season, or the rut. This period sees bull elk become very agressive, competing with other males for controls over harems of females. This is often done through bugling, showing off their large antlers, and occasional fighting.
The rut attracts visitors hoping to witness this grand display, but the elk can be quite dangerous to humans or vehicles who approach too close. In this case, a bull elk decided a golf cart was a threat and charged after it, attempting to ram the vehicle with its horns. It appears that the cart was being driven by a staff member, as they didn’t seem all that bothered by the massive animal charging behind them.
Estes Park is always reminding tourists that any animals spotted in or around town are wild. No matter how docile they may seem, these large animals will defend themselves if they feel threatened. As such, it’s vital that visitors and locals alike leave plenty of space between themselves and any wildlife. For elk, that distance should be at least 75 feet at all times. Read more on elk safety below.
Estes Park Elk Safety Guidelines:
The Police Department provides the following tips to visitors for 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 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.
