During the fall rut, bull elk bugle, posture, and aggressively move cows to keep their harems tight. Even with a severe antler injury, this mature bull is still hormonally driven, vocal, and dominant—charging a cow to reposition her as the rut peaks. Wild behavior. Urban setting. 📍 Estes Park, Colorado #bullelk #elkrut #bugle #coloradowildlife #untamednature #wapiti #wildlifereels #foryoupageシ | The Untamed View

The elk mating season (rut) generally occurs from early September to mid-October. Bull elk bugle to announce their availability to females (cows) and to warn other bulls. When answered, bulls move toward one another and sometimes engage in battle where they crash their antlers together and wrestle for dominance. It is a dangerous time as bull elk will consider people and cars threats and charge. Always keep your distance and, if charged, retreat to shelter in a building or vehicle as quickly as