Bull elk are now nearing the end of the regrowth of antlers for the 2010 season. This new growth continues until about mid-August when they begin to "scrape" the velvet off their antlers in preparation for the rut. Viewers will see ribbons of half-scraped velvet hanging from their antlers until the process is complete. Newly scraped antlers are bone white and quickly season to a deep brown by the end of August for most animals.
The annual elk rut is one of the biggest tourism shows in Arkansas. It begins roughly the second week of September, peaking roughly for the two week period from the last week in September to the first week in October, when the bull elk battle to establish breeding rights. Aside from the traditional two week peak period, the rut may extend until the end of the year. Cow elk that are not successfully bred return to estrous. Typically there is a second estrous, and some animals will enter a third estrous.
Visitors to the elk rut will hear bull elk bugling, and if they are fortunate, will witness an actual bull fight. Viewing is most popular late afternoons and evenings in Boxley Valley. Elk herds range up and down the valley from Ponca to the trailhead to the Upper Wilderness, but the greatest concentration of elk in recent years has been in the fields near the highway 43 and 21 intersection.
The definitive resource for elk viewing information is at http://arkansaswildlifephotography.com. This site offers up-to-date information on elk viewing, as well as many galleries of elk photography from past years.
It is time now to book a room if you plan to stay in the Ponca area. The best single source for lodging information is upperbuffaloriver.com. Staying in Ponca or Jasper puts you just minutes from the elk herd in Boxley Valley. Area cabins are now booking up fast for the fall season.
