Elk

Elk FAQs

How big are elk?

Elk are a relatively large mammal and a mature male elk (bull) can weigh upwards of 700 lbs, female elk (cow) can weigh up to about 500 pounds, and an elk calf typically weighs about 35 pounds at birth. Bull elk stand close to 5 feet tall at the shoulder (plus an additional 3 feet or more for head and antlers) and can be almost 8 feet from head to tail and females being just a little smaller.

What do elk eat?

Elk consume mostly grasses and sedges, forbs (flowering plants), and woody species. Because their diet is wide ranging they, like deer, are considered browsers rather than grazers like bison.

Where do elk live?

Elk live in a mosaic of open areas (grassland) and wooded areas across the landscape. The open areas provide opportunities for browsing for food. The wooded areas provide protection from predators and serve as corridors from one open area to another.

Do all elk have antlers?

Yes, elk do have antlers. Antlers are made of bone, which they painlessly shed annually in the spring (typically March here in the Park), and are only grown by males. We tag and save each pair and love to show off our amazing collection. Yearling bucks, or 'spike' bucks, will grow short (relatively speaking) singular spikes and as they age their racks will grow in height as well as spread. This growth helps to provide them with a means of defense during rut (mating season) when they are fighting other bull elk. They also use their antlers to rub on trees. They rub on trees for a couple different reasons. First, they rub early in the fall to help remove the velvet that is covering their newly formed antlers. As they rub they are making marks, or scratches on the trees. These markings (along with the scent they leave behind) tells other elk, males and females, that this is their area.

How many elk are there?

Prior to European settlement it is estimated that there were approximately 10 million elk throughout North America. However, unregulated hunting, competition for grazing land from cattle, and habitat loss (timber losses and urbanization) played a role in the population of elk dropping to less than 100,000 by the middle of the 20th century. However, today, elk are present in 26 states and 7 Canadian provinces.

When do elk give birth?

Elk typically give birth mid-May through mid-June. Often, the female elk will walk away from the herd to give birth in a private and safe location only to return to the herd once she feels it's safe to return, which is typically about two weeks.

Do elk have any predators?

Yes, mountian lions, bears, wolves, and coyote. However, in Indiana the only one of those we have are coyote and there aren't any free range elk in the state. So, the chances of an encounter are very low. However, in states with free range populations, like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and most of the western states humans are also a predator.

How do elk communicate?

Elk communicate through a variety of sounds. A newborn calf communicates through high-pitched squeals to its mother, who recognizes the unique squeal of her calf. If you hear some chipping and other squeals, that is just the herd communicating to one another. However, if you hear a bull elk bugling (typically only occurs during rut) that means he is looking to attrack a female as well as let any other bulls nearby that he is willing to fight.