Elk Bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park

Elk bugling can be easily observed in Rocky Mountain National Park. The elk, also called wapiti, of Rocky Mountain National Park begin their breeding season in late August or early September. This season can last through October.

The bull elk become very active attracting and herding female cows for their harems during this season. To attract the cows the bulls emit a musky odor, display their antlers and body, and give off a sound called bugling. This ritual is called the rut. Click the following link for an audible sample of a bull elk bugling: http://members.cox.net/big_river_chapter-ri_rmef/monsterbugle1.wav

The bugle is also used to challenge younger or weaker bulls competing for the right to mate. Frequently these younger or weaker bulls will battle a more dominate bull for this right. They spar with each other using their antlers which can sometimes result in broken antlers.

I was fortunate to witness the fall elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park one Labor Day weekend. I lodged in a cabin just outside the park in the quaint town of Estes Park.

There are many places within the park to view the rutting ritual, but good gathering areas are in Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, and Horseshoe Park. The elk can sometimes be seen in the town of Estes Park near shopping centers or on golf courses during the breeding season.

Early morning and late evening are the best times to observe the rut display. The rutting display can be quite a drama to observe and it often draws large crowds. The bugling itself is very loud and entertaining. The sound literally echoes through the park and can be heard from very great distances in this mountainous and forested terrain.

Expect more crowds on the weekends. The parking lot near Horseshoe Park can overflow to the point where cars are stacked along the highway in both directions past the parking area and on the opposite side of the road. I made a practice of driving from one of the major areas to another and stopped according to the action I was seeing.

There is certain etiquette to be observed while viewing the elk. I won’t go over each “rule”, but use common sense and suffice it to say that generally the idea is not to interfere in any way with the natural process of the rut. That in a nutshell means keep your distance.

There will be rangers and park volunteers around to enforce these rules of etiquette. There will be plenty of opportunities and you will be able to get close enough for decent photographs of the elk doing their dance.

When the elk are less active or you just want a break from the action take a tour up Trail Ridge Road at the north end of the park. The elevation on the road is over 12,000 feet(that’s over two miles) at its highest point, so be prepared in the clothing department. It will be chilly!

Even for the elk viewing at lower elevations you should dress for cold weather. When I was there the same September weekend for the elk there were marmots galore amongst the rock pilings near the road.

Bear and Sprague Lakes are another quick side trip and near the major elk sites on the east side of the park. Be advised that the trip to Bear Lake may require that you board a shuttle bus for the roundtrip.

The town of Estes Park is very pretty and if you explore the roads around the town especially along the Big Thompson and Fall Rivers you’ll have ample scenic photo opportunities. If you have time take a leisure drive through Big Thompson River Canyon east of Estes Park along Highway 34 towards Loveland, Colorado.

Other mammals within the park include: beaver, chipmunk, golden-mantled ground squirrel, Abert’s squirrel, moose, mule deer, black bear, porcupine, coyote, mountain lion, bobcat, and bighorn sheep.

Even during my three day weekend I had enough time and managed to see and photograph plenty of elk and see the many sights I mentioned above.

authored by Lon Britton

Checkout the pictures with sound effects store by clicking on the following logo(includes bugling elk):