Elk | dakotareflections.com

Elk along with moose are the largest land mammals in North America. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, elk roamed over most of the United States. Over hunting led to elimination of elk in the North Dakota Badlands by the late 1800s and the 1899 legislature banned hunting of bison, moose, elk and bighorn sheep. Theodore Roosevelt National Park reintroduced elk in 1985 with transfers from the Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

Resources at Bismarck Veterans Library

Bauer, E.A. (1995) Elk: Behavior, Ecology and Conservation. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press

Geist, V. (1991) Elk Country. Minocqua, Wisconsin: Northwood Press

Elk Fun Facts

They are found in western and Rocky Mountain states, western Canada and northern Asia, including Siberia
Breeding occurs in late September and early October with calves born in early June
Elk can live to be 20 years old
Elk herds can be very large and number over 200
Elk migrate to high altitudes in the spring with snow thawing and return to lower elevations in the fall
Elk antlers are usually shed in March or April
Males average 700 pounds and females 500 pounds, although both can be larger
Babies (fawns- usually one, rarely two) are born in the spring, grow quickly and are weaned in the fall
Elk can run up to 45 mph!

Fun Facts- Are these Antlers or Horns?

Horns

Are hollow and grow from the base and made of keratin
Bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and pronghorns have horns
Only pronghorn shed their horns annually
Bison, sheep and goats grow their horns continuously and if they fall off, they don't grow back

Antlers

Are made of solid bone
Deer, elk, caribou, deer, moose have antlers
Both male and female caribou have antlers, otherwise only male deer, moose and elk have antlers
Antlers fall off every year. They grow from the tip

2018 Photos

Elk antlers can be nearly 4 feet long and a set can weigh as much as 40 pounds!

Their tongue's are pink!

Elk eat dry grass and browse in the winter and use their hoofs to move snow from the grass

A mature bull usually carries antlers with six points on each side, though some older bulls will carry seven, and occasionally eight points on each antler. A six-point bull is called a Royal. A seven point bull – an Imperial; an eight point or better bull – a Monarch.

Side view of Antlers!

Asymmetric antlers 5 by 6!

Bulls live in bachelor groups or alone

Cows, calves and yearlings live in loose herds or groups

This bull was photographed in mid April 2018 growing new antlers!

By early June 2018 the antlers have grown considerably and are covered in velvet!

In spring and summer when food is plentiful, elk are mainly grazers. They primarily eat grasses, sedges and a variety of flowering plants. On average, an elk eats about three pounds of food per day for every 100 pounds it weighs. That means the average 500 pound cow will consume at least 15 pounds of food every day, while an 800 pound bull will gobble up 24 pounds of food.

https://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/big-game-hunting/elk/what-do-elk-eat/