Be Magnificent Like an Elk!

Elk are also called wapiti.  Wapiti is a Native American word that means light-colored deer.  Elk are related to deer but are much larger than most of the other species within the deer  family.  A male elk is called a bull; its antlers may reach four feet above its head.  This means a bull can tower to a height of nine feet.

Alberta, Canada has a growing population of elk.  Approximately 26,000 animals live along the eastern shadow of the Rocky Mountains in the high basins and foothills.  Recently they have been expanding their range into the boreal forest and parkland regions.  I have seen a herd of elk near the town of Banff in Banff National Park. 

In parks it is illegal to feed, touch, disturb and willfully approach wildlife within 50 yards.  If you are approached by an elk, you should slowly back away.  Put distance between yourself and the animal creating space for the animal to pass.

Elk can be aggressive or defensive.  They become more fearful when people are around because they think humans are predators.  If an elk charges you, you should run to the nearest solid object; a car or a tree, and hide behind it. If you are near trees and have time to climb one, you should try and do that.  The elk is likely just trying to scare you away rather than actually attack you.  Put as much distance between you as possible.

When Elk start clashing their horns and the males attempt to dominate over each other and earn the right to mate, the rutting and bugling season has begun.  Bulls become particularly aggressive and display their muscular antlers, neck, and bodies. If you hear a loud scream from an elk, it usually means bulls are seeking a mate.  Bulls bugle during a rut.  The sound they make can only be described as a loud scream.  It also serves as a warning to other bulls in the area that they are dominant.  This is my territory and my mate.  Hands off!

Female elk called cows also make a noise especially when they are in heat.  Elk can hiss, whine, cry, moan, rattle their antlers and stomp their hooves. Because there are many elk in a herd, the sounds we most likely hear in August, September, October and November are bull bugles and chuckles.

Elk will sometimes threaten an opponent with a behaviour called a biting threat. They pull their lips back to expose their teeth, flatten their ears and hiss. Instead of biting its target, an elk might suddenly leap upward and flail its adversary with a hail of sharp hooves. 

The best way to protect yourself from elk is to build a fence around your property.  Fences should be built with sturdy posts and woven-wire and they need to be 7-8 feet high to prevent elk from jumping over them. Electric fences will give the elk a shock, but it doesn’t harm them.

Here are the sayings I found on the Bookmark called Advice from an Elk

• Don’t get stuck in a rut

• Cherish wide open spaces

• Appreciate life’s high points

• Be at home in the woods

• Make your voice heard

• Know when to make tracks

• Be magnificent!

Here are my thoughts about each of these sayings.

• Don’t get stuck in a rut - for elk they want to win or dominate when they are in a rut.  For us we don’t want to get stuck in a rut.  A rut for us means staying in the same position or always doing things the same old way..  

• Cherish wide open spaces - Elks like to have space. Enjoy this world and get out and cherish the beauty of the world around you.

• Appreciate life’s high points - Enjoy those special events and moments in your life.

• Be at home in the woods - Get out and enjoy nature.  Go take a walk in a park.

• Make your voice heard - Speak up and express your opinions and ideas.

• Know when to make tracks - Know when it is best to back away.

• Be magnificent! - Do your best and strive for excellence.  You can do this and the result will be magnificent. Have confidence in yourself and let your light shine!

Have a magnificent day everyone!

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays