Everything You Want To Know About Elk

Elk (Cervus canadensis) are one of the largest species of deer in the world. Their majestic presence and significant role in the ecosystem make them fascinating creatures. In this blog post, I will answer your elk questions. We will explore the biology, habitat, behavior, and conservation of these magnificent animals.

Elk are also called wapiti meaning white rump in Cree. The elk plays a spiritual role in many indigenous cultures. They are revered for their endurance, patience, protection, and strength.

Female (cow) elk

Species Variation and Region

There are four living subspecies of elk in North America and four subspecies in Asia. However, scientists often disagree about some of the dividing characteristics.

They have slight variances in antler shape and size, weight, coloration, and social behavior.

North American Elk Subspecies

• Roosevelt's elk (C. c. roosevelti) Largest elk, lives in Pacific Northwest

• Tule elk (C. c. nannodes) Smallest elk is found only in CA

• Manitoban elk (C. c. manitobensis) Found in Dakotas and into Canada

• Rocky Mountain elk (C. c. nelsoni) Most widespread in Rocky Mt. states

North American Elk Subspecies

What is the Difference between WHITE-TAILED Deer, elk, and Moose?

All three are part of the Cervidae family (the deer family) but the primary differences between deer, elk, and moose lie in their size.

Deer are the smallest of the three. White-tailed deer and mule deer, which are the most common species in North America, typically weigh between 100 to 300 pounds and stand about 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder.

You can read my article Everything You Want To Know About White-Tailed Deer

Elk are larger than deer but smaller than moose. Elk are much heavier, with males (bulls) weighing between 600 to 1,100 pounds and standing around 4.5 to 5 feet tall at the shoulder.

Moose are the largest member of the deer family. Moose can weigh up to 1,500 pounds (with some bulls exceeding 1,800 pounds) and stand 5 to 7 feet tall at the shoulder, making them massive animals compared to elk and deer.

Where Do Elk Live?

1. North America

• Western United States and Canada: Elk thrive in the forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions of the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and parts of Canada, such as British Columbia and Alberta.

• Eastern United States: Although they were once nearly extinct in the east, reintroduction efforts have brought elk populations back to places like Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

• Yellowstone National Park: This is one of the most famous elk habitats, where large herds can be observed in their natural environment. Rocky Mountain National Park also has a large number.

2. Asia

• Siberia: Elk are found in the forests and mountainous regions of Russia.

• Mongolia: In Mongolia, they live in a mix of steppe and forested areas.

• Northern China: Some populations also exist in the colder regions of northern China.

Cow and calf

How Big Are Elk?

Elk (Cervus canadensis) are distinguished by their impressive size and unique antlers. Males, known as bulls, can weigh between 600 to 1,100 pounds, while females, called cows, weigh between 450 to 650 pounds. Bulls grow large, branching antlers that can reach up to four feet in length and are shed and regrown annually.

Elk have a distinct coloration that varies with the seasons. During summer, their coat is reddish-brown, which turns to a more subdued grayish-brown in winter. They also have a characteristic light-colored rump patch, which is especially noticeable when they are fleeing from predators.

Habitats: Where Do they live

• Forests: Elk often prefer forested areas, especially coniferous and mixed forests where they can find ample cover.

• Grasslands: In some areas, elk live in open grasslands, especially where food is abundant.

• Mountainous Regions: Elk are well-adapted to life in high elevations and often migrate to higher altitudes in the summer and lower areas in the winter to find food.

• Woodlands and Meadows: Elk also thrive in woodland edges and meadows, where they can graze and find shelter.

Elk are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions. In North America, they are predominantly found in the western United States and Canada, with smaller populations in the eastern states. Elk also inhabit parts of Asia, including the Siberian regions of Russia and Mongolia.

Hear the Elk's bugle call! Check out my video.

Reproduction

Fall is the Rut season when the majestic bull elk demands to be heard. It's the call of the wild when male elk fight for dominance and the right to mate with females. Bugling can be heard for miles.

During the fall rut, bull elk spray themselves with urine to attract females, a practice called "self-anointing". The urine soaks into their hair, giving them a distinct smell that cows find appealing.

But it's not all about the bulls. The herd is primarily made up of cows and their calves with a dominant male. Cows do not grow antlers.

In the fall, the male will gather a group of females into a harem. Females start to mate in their second year.

What is Bugling?

Bugling is the high-pitched, loud vocalization made by bull elk (male elk) during the mating season, known as the rut. It’s one of the most iconic sounds of the fall wilderness, particularly in areas where elk are common, such as the Rocky Mountains.

Bugling starts with a low, resonant grunt that rises to a high-pitched scream or whistle, followed by a series of grunts. The sound can travel over long distances and can be heard echoing across valleys and mountains, making it a dramatic experience for anyone lucky enough to witness it.

During the rut, bull elk bugle draws the attention of the cows. The bugle acts as an advertisement of their strength, health, and dominance, signaling that they are fit to mate.

Bugling is also a way for bulls to communicate and assert dominance over other males. The loud, piercing sound lets rival bulls know that a territory or a group of cows is already claimed. Sometimes, the bugling is followed by aggressive displays or even antler wrestling when two bulls challenge each other.

Calves

The cows give birth to calves in late May to early July. Babies around weigh 35 lb (16 kg). Similar to white-tailed deer elk babies have spots for camouflage and no scent. This allows them to hide from predators.

The mother stays with the calf in a secluded area where she can hide them. At about two weeks the calf is strong enough to join the herd.

Elks typically have a single calf. About 1% of cows will have twins.

They nurse for 2-5 months. The elk calf stays with its mother until the next spring when the cow has new babies.

How Big Are Elk Antlers?

The bulls grow antlers each year that can weigh 40 lbs and can grow four feet across. That's important because the females think large antlers are sexy. Antlers are regrown every year and are made of bone and extensions of the skull. There is actually some risk to having antlers.

Antler grows incredibly fast. In fact, antlers are the fastest bone growth in the world growing up to one inch per day. Velvet, which covers antlers during the growth phase, carries blood to the growing bone tissue. Mature bulls may produce 30-40 lbs. of velvet.

Elk in velvet

Once the antlers are hardened and ready for use in the fall rut, the velvet is shed. Bulls remove the drying velvet, by rubbing their antlers against small trees. The velvet is a nutritionally dense food for small animals. In fact, velvet from a variety of deer species, has long been used in human supplementation in Eastern medicine.

Once mating season is over, male deer no longer need their antlers. Shorter days and less light reduce their testosterone levels and signal to drop them. Those fallen antlers provide a big benefit. Squirrels and other small mammals chew on them. This gives them the necessary minerals and helps their teeth.

While it probably feels good to get rid of all that weight on your skull losing your anters means being defenseless. Wildlife biologists studying wolves in Yellowstone National Park have found that in spring wolves tend to target male elk who have lost their antlers. Whereas in the winter they may target a smaller weaker animal.

Another risk for the bull is that it takes quite a bit of energy to grow antlers. He will spend a quarter of the energy he gets from eating 30 pounds of vegetation just toward growing antlers. Cow elks use this energy to prepare for winter. This may be why they live longer than males.

The whole antler thing is more about strength and dominance. In general, the elk don't stab or injure each other. It's more pushy shovey.

Horns Vs. Antlers

Some animals such as the Big Horn sheep have horns which they also use for defense and impressing girls. Horns are different than antlers because they are permanent. Horns are living bones surrounded by keratin.

Check out this video to learn who wins the ultimate showdown - horns vs antlers!

Elk Conservation

Elk populations have faced significant challenges due to habitat loss, hunting, and disease. In the early 20th century, overhunting and habitat destruction led to a dramatic decline in their numbers. However, concerted conservation efforts, including the establishment of protected areas and regulated hunting, have allowed elk populations to recover in many areas.

Elk play a crucial role in their ecosystems. As herbivores, they help maintain the balance of plant communities by grazing on grasses and browsing on shrubs. Their foraging behavior can influence the structure and composition of vegetation, which in turn affects other wildlife species.

Moreover, elk are a key prey species for large predators such as wolves and bears. Their presence supports the health and diversity of predator populations and contributes to the overall stability of the ecosystem.

Chronic Wasting Disease

One of the ongoing challenges for elk conservation is the management of diseases such as chronic wasting disease, a neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, and moose. CWD is always fatal and poses a significant threat to wild populations.

It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions, which affect the brain and nervous system of infected animals, leading to symptoms such as drastic weight loss, stumbling, lack of coordination, and abnormal behavior. Eventually, the disease is always fatal.

Elk can contract CWD through direct contact with other infected animals or indirectly by coming into contact with prions in the environment. Prions are shed through saliva, urine, feces, and even carcasses of infected animals, and they can persist in the soil and plants for long periods, which makes the disease difficult to control or eliminate.

Symptoms of CWD in Elk

While it can take months or even years for symptoms to appear, infected elk may show signs such as:

• Severe weight loss (wasting)

• Lack of coordination and balance

• Drooling or excessive thirst

• Dull, listless behavior

• Disorientation

• Isolation from the herd

Wildlife agencies in areas where CWD is present are actively working to monitor and control the spread of the disease. Strategies include testing elk populations, managing hunting regulations, and educating the public on the risks of transporting infected animals or carcasses.

Is CWD Dangerous to Humans?

There is no confirmed evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. However, experts recommend caution. Hunters in areas where CWD is known to exist are advised to have their harvested animals tested for the disease before consuming the meat.

Do Elk MigratE?

Elk are migratory animals, often traveling between different elevations and habitats in search of food. In the summer, they move to higher altitudes to feed on grasses and forbs, while in the winter, they descend to lower elevations where they can find shrubs and woody plants.

In many regions, winter snowfall can become too deep for elk to move through efficiently or graze. By migrating to lower elevations, they avoid the heaviest snows and can conserve energy while continuing to forage for food.

How Far Do Elk Migrate?

Elk herds in Yellowstone National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are known for their long migrations. These elk migrate between the higher-elevation summer ranges in Yellowstone and the lower-elevation winter ranges outside the park, covering distances of up to 100 miles or more.

In places like Oregon and Washington, elk populations tend to have shorter migrations, often moving from forested areas to open grasslands or valleys depending on the season.

Elk migration routes are sometimes threatened by urban development, roads, and agriculture, which can fragment their habitat and make migration more difficult. Elk are known to cross roads and highways during migration, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions.

Hunting

First Nations have been hunting elk for thousands of years. Fall was a popular time to hunt elk in preparation for the winter. They use the hide to make boots, gloves, and other articles of clothing. Elk teeth are popular in necklaces.

White settlers pushing west often hunted the elk for food as well.

In the early 1900s, overhunting and habitat destruction led to a dramatic decline in their numbers. However, conservation efforts, including establishing protected areas and regulating hunting, have allowed elk populations to recover in many areas.

Elk Farming

In some areas of the United States elk are raised as livestock and used for meat production. Elk meat is considered healthy because it is lean, and lower in fat, and cholesterol. Plus, it is raised using no growth hormones or chemicals.

It is a niche industry compared to other livestock farming. Elk farming primarily focuses on producing elk meat, antlers, and byproducts such as hides and velvet antlers (used in supplements).

Velvet antlers are believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, though scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Elk meat is sold through specialty markets, restaurants, and direct-to-consumer sales. It’s especially popular in regions where wild game and exotic meats are appreciated.

Although less common, some elk farms are involved in conservation efforts. They may collaborate with wildlife organizations or local governments to help with elk reintroduction programs or to provide education on elk biology and ecology.

Author, Ame Vanorio, is the founder of Fox Run Environmental Education, an author, wildlife rehabilitator, and organic gardener.