Elk - Interesting Facts:
- Elk are one of the noisiest of hoofed mammals.
- In the fall, Elk increasingly become browsers, feeding on sprouts and branches of shrubs and trees.
- In the winter, Elk resort to eating mainly grass that is not covered by deep snow.
- Elk are very social and travel in herds much of the year. During the spring, summer, and winter, Elk split into cow-calf herds and bull herds.
- Although Elk travel in herds, just before giving birth, a cow Elk will leave the herd and select a birthing place until the calf is about two weeks old-this is the age that they are thought to be able to escape a predator on their own.
- Similar to deer, moose, and cattle, Elk are ruminants, cud-chewing mammals, that initially chew their food just enough to swallow it. After it has been stored in the stomach or "rumen", the Elk regurgitate the food, re-chew the food, and swallow it where it is taken to the second stomach for digestion. It is then passed through the third and fourth stomach before entering the intestine.
- Physiologically, Elk have few needs for cover and only seek shelter to avoid extreme weather, approaching hunters, harassment from other animals, or to protect their newborns from predators.
- Elk have excellent hearing, keen sense of smell, and can run up to 35 mph. These traits allow them to avoid the few predators that are capable of bringing them down. In addition, they are able to communicate danger to other Elk quickly.
- An Elk's excellent sense of hearing allows them to decipher one Elk from the next by the different noises they make.
- Elk shed their antlers between February and April. Once the wounds from the previous antlers are healed, new antlers usually grow in between August and September.
Why are Elk prevalent in the Ozarks?
The Elk's native habitat ranges from Southern Canada to northern Mexico. Because Ozark Dream Hunting is nestled deep in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, it offers a prime location for Elk to graze on grass, twigs, and leaves that sustain them amongst the dense hardwoods and pines.
Elk-When is the best time to Observe these Animals?
The best time to view Elk is early morning and late evening, when they are most active. However, temperature and threat level plays a major factor in their activity level. As temperatures rise during the summer, or when they are harassed, Elk become increasingly active at night. On the other hand, when temperatures are mild and they don't feel threatened, the Elk are known to spend short periods during the day feeding.
Fall is the most popular season to observe Elk because from late September through October, the rut occurs where bulls can be seen battling with other males over females. Because their instincts of reproduction take over, they are not as concerned with their surroundings and the threats that could take place. This is an interesting time to observe the Elk because near dawn and dusk the bull will let out a shrill bugle as a way to challenge other males and to attract females for mating.
Elk-Signals of their Presence:
Elk Feeding Areas. During the winter, Elk will dig in the snow to find food. As a result, well-worn trails or crisscrossed tracks will be formed. In addition, Elk will often gnaw on trees, leaving bottom-teeth-only scrape marks. The markings will be similar to that of a Deer, but very different then the chisel-like cuttings of a beaver.
Tracks and Trails. Due of the sheer size of Elk, marks are left in almost every surface they walk over. Furthermore, because Elk frequently travel in herds, tracks are found in large numbers and are easy to detect. A full-grown Elk will have tracks that measure four inches long by three inches wide and take on a split-heart-shape.
Elk Droppings. The consistency and shape of droppings are largely dependent on the type and quality of diet. However, they are typically acorn shaped (dimple on one end and projected on the other) and found in large quantities, usually between 40 and 60 droppings at a time. A pile of Elk droppings may appear similar to small cow patties, but with more distinct edges, indicating these mammals consumed a rich diet.
Elk Rubs. As the antlers harden, the blood supply lessens and the velvet covering begins to dry and shed. To assist in getting the velvet coving off their antlers, the Elk will vigorously rub against trees, brush, and shrubs. The oxidation from rubbing up against these plants, stain the antlers dark brown. In addition, the Elk rubs cause sticks to become entangled in their antlers, making them appear larger and more threatening to rivals, and more pleasing to their mate preparing them for the breeding season.
Wallow Sites. Elk indicate their willingness to mate by rolling in mud, saturated with droppings and urine. This has several effects-it loosens their dead winter coat, dislodges parasites, and the mud serves as protection from blood sucking insects. The odor attracts cow Elk and they may also roll and urinate in the wallow to indicate their willingness to mate.
Elk Calls. Elk make distinct noises to communicate with one another. For example, the young will communicate with the mother by letting out a high pitched squeal, or bleat. Adult females often make a barking sound indicating danger is near. Bugling is the sound that Elk make when they are in rutting season; it starts with a low-groan and quickly changes to a high-pitched whistle and ends with low-toned grunts. And a variety of chirps, mews, and miscellaneous squeal are general sounds heard among the herd.
