When I think of seeing wild animals, I usually picture them being far off in the distance, going about their business, undisturbed by humans.
At least, that’s how I think it should be. I love animals of all kinds, and will take any chance I can get to see them thriving in their natural habitats, but I also want to respect their space and make sure I’m not negatively impacting them just to get a closer look.
But what if the wildlife comes to you and, say, takes over your town?
That’s exactly what happens each fall in Estes Park, Colorado, where the annual Rocky Mountain elk rut unfolds right before the eyes of locals and visitors alike.
If you’ve never seen an elk before, Estes Park, which houses the headquarters of Rocky Mountain National Park, is one of the best places in the country to do it. The rutting season is when hundreds of elk gather, and where the bulls compete for breeding rights.
“It’s really fun to watch their behavior during the rut, because there’s nothing like it in the world,” says Kris Hazelton, Editor/Owner of Estes Park News.
That “behavior” includes bugling—a high-pitched cry that no other animal in the wild can duplicate. “A lot of people have never heard such a sound,” says Gary Hazelton, Publisher/Owner of the community newspaper.
An article in 9News, a leading Denver local news outlet, describes other unusual behavior of the bulls during the rutting season:
They’ll rub trees, shrubs and even the ground to polish their antlers, and wallow in mud and urine as a ‘perfume’ to attract cows.
And of course, if necessary, they’ll fight to establish dominance and keep control over their cows.
Wild elk have been coming to Estes Park for decades, and while you can spot them all over town, residents say they especially love to congregate on golf courses. These flat, open spaces are where sound travels farther, and their bugles can be heard all over the valley. According to Uncover Colorado, “Estes Park becomes full of the evocative call of this majestic beast during the early days of autumn.”
To celebrate and honor these fascinating guests, locals have been holding an annual event called Elk Fest every October for over 20 years now, and it’s been gaining steam in recent years. Gary Hazelton says, “People come from around the world to see them. Now we estimate it’s probably between 10,000 and 15,000 people.”
The 2021 event, which is set to take place October 2 & 3, will mark the 23rd Annual Elk Fest held in Bond Park. Uncover Colorado says crowds gather in this area to learn about the elk breeding season and their natural history, enjoy the beer garden, try some tasty cuisine from on-site vendors, take part in elk-inspired arts and crafts, listen to live music, watch Native American performers dance, play music, and tell stories, and participate in many other elk-themed activities!
But the most popular event of all is the Bugling Contest, where elk enthusiasts show off their imitation skills for a chance to win elk-themed prizes. Apparently, some of the contestants have gotten so good at reproducing the elk’s bugle that it even fools the elks themselves! Bulls have been known to come charging down from the surrounding mountains, wondering where their competition is.
If you’re in the area, or just want to witness this unique gathering of elk for yourself, locals say it’s a spectacle definitely worth seeing! Peak rut is mid-September through mid-October, but the first weekend of October each year is Elk Fest.
Just remember: Elk can be as unpredictable as any other wild animal and are especially aggressive during this period, so don’t make the mistake of getting too close! If you respect their space, keep your distance, and don’t interfere with them in any way, it should be an enjoyable experience for all—and one to remember!
Truly, Elktober screams celebration, entertainment, and fun! — Uncover Colorado
If you can’t make it to Elk Fest, you can still hear the wild calls of the bull elk below instead!