BANFF – Bull elk throughout the Bow Valley are getting really raunchy.
Parks Canada issued an advisory on Aug. 26 to alert residents and visitors that the elk rutting season has begun and will last until about mid-October.
Wildlife experts in Banff National Park say bull elk become extremely aggressive protecting their harems during the mating season, noting people should never get between bulls and the female elk.
“These bulls can get very protective of their cows, their harems, and if other bulls come in and try and challenge them for the rights to breed with those females, they can get get quite dangerous,” said Blair Fyten, human-wildlife management specialist for Banff National Park.
“They look at people as potentially being a threat also.”
When bulls display their antlers and body, they are gauging each other’s fitness and ability to defend the right to breed with the cows.
Sometimes, bulls will wage violent battles with other bulls for a harem. During the fall mating season, bull elk bugle and rub trees, shrubs and the ground with their antlers to attract cows and intimidate other bulls.
“We started hearing the elk bugling about a week ago,” said Fyten.
“There is some activity where the bulls are starting to gather up the cows in the usual places, and in the next 10 days, we will be right into the thick of it.”
Fyten said bulls are actively trying to rid their antlers of velvet on trees in anticipation of the rut.
“If you have hammocks or lines that are drying clothes, there’s potential for them to get wrapped up in elk antlers,” said Fyten.
“I noticed people keep Christmas lights up year-round and there’s an increased chance of entanglement for these bulls.”
Last week, Parks Canada did get a report of a bull at Tunnel Mountain Campground with a clothes line entangled in his antlers. As of Wednesday (Sept. 7), resource conservation officers had not yet located the elk, despite some significant tracking efforts.
“We haven’t been able to find him so hopefully he’s shedded it off,” said Fyten.
Parks Canada has several safety tips for residents and visitors to stay safe during the elk rut.
To avoid an elk encounter, stay back at least 30 metres, watch for elk at all times and detour around them.
“The public has a tendency to get pretty close to elk during the rut, not knowing the real danger that exists there,” said Fyten.
“We have always recommended to be at least 30 metres away from elk, but you can probably double that at a minimum during the rut.”
Fyten said bull elk are also under a lot of stress at this time of year.
“They’re putting a lot of effort into keeping their cows contained. They’re not eating a lot, they’re losing body weight when actually they should be putting weight on to get through the winter,” he said.
“If we were there and causing more stress by getting in between them and the cows, it’s one additional pressure.”
Parks Canada reminds residents and visitors that dogs must be kept on leash at all times, noting dogs can prompt elk to become aggressive as they view them as a predator such as a wolf or coyote.
If an elk does get close, Parks recommends people act dominantly by raising their arms or any big object like a jacket or umbrella to make themselves appear larger.
They also recommend people climb a tree or taking cover behind a tree or large rock, back away slowly out of the area and warn other hikers of elk up ahead.
Lastly, Fyten said people should be carrying bear spray year-round.
“Remember that bear spray is also effective against ungulates like elk,” he said.
Parks Canada asks that any elk incidents be immediately reported to Banff National Park dispatch at 403-762-1470.
