In A Rut?

*Critters we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far:  bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tail deer, Uinta ground squirrel, coyote, snowshoe hare, grizzly bear, moose, wolf, red fox, black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, llama, white-tailed jackrabbit, American badger

*Birds we’ve seen on our 2013 trip so far: osprey, pheasant, magpie, raven, Canada geese, mountain bluebird, grouse, golden eagle, bald eagle, American avocet, sandhill crane, red-tailed hawk, cliff swallow, northern flicker, Clark’s nutcracker, Brewer’s blackbird

 

[Click on any photo to enlarge.]

Fall is the time of year when it cools down and the bull elk make their way down from the higher elevations because it’s mating season!  Known as the rut, they gather together as many cows and calves as they can to create their “harem” and will aggressively defend the group against intruders
by chasing the other bulls, thrashing their antlers against the ground and trees, and head butting and antler wrestling each other if neither bull backs down.  Sometimes they will even ram cars parked nearby.  One of the bulls this year took out the rear passenger window of a ranger’s car!
 

The size and configuration of the bull’s rack is a sign of his quality and virility to the cows.  To appear more impressive, they will also wallow in the mud and urinate on themselves as a “perfume” to attract more cows.  Some of these guys never seem to think they
      have enough and will actually leave their harem unattended and head down the hill to gather up a couple more…kind of a risky venture on their part!  Younger, immature bulls try to get in on the action but usually are not very successful.

 

You generally know when the rut has begun because the bulls begin to bugle which not only announces their presence to other males but also gives a cow clues to his size and strength (key factors she wants to impart to her offspring). 
       The vocal range of the bugle varies with the individual and their maturity level.  It can be heard for miles and is one of the most amazing and distinctive sounds.

 

      The rut is very tiring and draining for the bulls, using up much of their energy.  They rarely eat during this time and may lose up to 20% of their body weight.

 

       The Mammoth Hot Springs area is quite popular during this time of year mainly because of the rut.  Elk seem to be everywhere up in town and in the campground which fills up very early everyday with some folks staying nearly a month just to
  watch the craziness of not only the elk but the tourists.  Extra staff and volunteers are on duty during the rut to keep folks at a safe distance, to educate them on what they are witnessing, and to hopefully keep the traffic flowing.

 

  We were a little disappointed in this year’s rut as we didn’t have nearly the number of elk hanging out in the campground as in the previous two years, and we’re not sure why.  However, one thing we love about our campsite is that there’s a little underground stream 
   nearby and the elk like to come get a drink so we get to see them more than other areas of the campground.  In fact several of these photos were taken from the RV, but hopefully next year will be an even better rutting season for viewing.

 

Yellowstone Tidbits:

• Young bulls (about a year old) are called spikes mainly because of their single antlers that usually have no branches.
• When threatened, an elk will strike out with their forefeet.
• Growing antlers, which are shed each spring, are covered in soft skin full of blood called velvet and is removed each fall by rubbing them on shrubs and trees.