Elk In Boxley Valley Arkansas – Fall 2012

The main reason for our most recent trip to Arkansas was to see the elk during their fall rut. In our part of the country if you want to see elk, you can either go to Colorado, or to Arkansas. Since Arkansas (pronounced “Ar-Kansas” by all self-respecting Kansans) is closer and there are fewer tourists to get between us and the elk, Arkansas is the clear choice.

The best time to view the elk is early mornings and evenings when they come out of the woods to graze in the meadows along the roadside in Boxley Valley. This time of year, during the rut, the bulls have collected a harem of ladies around them, and spend the bulk of their time bugling, fighting with other bulls, and making sure their ladies don’t try to escape from the herd.

Here’s a short video. Make sure to have your speakers turned up so you can hear the bull in the first clip bugle.

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The weather was warmer than usual so the elk weren’t as active as we would have liked. We wanted to see some fights between bulls.

But, maybe next year.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

 

Suzanne

Cattle, corn, wheat, beans, mud, snow, ice, and drought. Plenty of fresh air and quiet. Our life is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous, but never boring.

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10 Responses

  1. What a great experience!! Only heard them once in Yellowstone and didn’t get to stay long enough for more.

    You had wonderful birds there, too. Love the call of those pileated woodpeckers.

  2. That was so incredible. Majestic and breathtaking. Thanks for putting up the video.

    sj

  3. Louise S says:

    Great pics. But Ar-Kansas?? Do people really say that?

  4. Alica says:

    Loved that bugle. Would never have guessed that to be an elk!

  5. I love that bugling sound! Awesome!

  6. frosty says:

    oh they are so beautiful..

  7. Paula says:

    Yes, we really do say ar-kansas! Especially here in Arkansas City! That is Ar-Kansas City!

    • Louise S says:

      Hi Paula, I was actually referring to the pronunciation of the state of Arkansas but guess I wasn’t specific enough. I’m a Kansas native (born in Hiawatha) and also spent 20 years in Ponca City, Oklahoma, but have just never heard anybody refer to the state as “Ar-Kansas” unless they were teasing with the pronunciation. (BTW, I also spent a few years living in Winfield, KS, so am very familiar with Ar-Kansas City, lol.)

  8. Wonderful video and very interesting blog post. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂

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