It is time to declare the 2010 elk rut officially underway. In the last few days to a week, for the first time the huge bull elk of Boxley Valley in NW Arkansas have migrated to herds of cow elk to begin the annual mating ritual. Only a few of the cow elk are now estrous, but that is enough to kick off the annual show.Currently there are two herds of cow elk with herd bulls in Boxley Valley. For a few days now they have been centered from the mid valley area all the way down to the south end of the valley just north of the trail head to the Upper Buffalo Wilderness. Elk will move around, often migrating at night.
Visitors to the valley should check all of Boxley Valley from the Ponca Access to the south trail head before choosing where to watch and photograph the elk. Newbies often park at the very first elk they see (or have ever seen) and miss much better viewing just a short distance away. Failing to check the valley before setting on your viewing location could be the difference between seeing a bull fight or missing that rare opportunity.
If you hear elk bugling, often that means there are potential challenger elk nearby. The call and answer of a herd bull and potential challenger is the first step that might lead to a bull fight. I call this "counter-bugling", and I rely on counter-bugling to alert me to potential bull fights. Bulls preparing to fight bugle at one another frequently and loudly. The tone of voice changes from melodic to raspy as they express building rage prior to the fight. Paying attention to this change in tone will lead you to potential bull fights that might be in the next field.
Remember to be safe. Bull elk pumped up with hormones during the rut are predisposed to fighting. Invade their space and you risk becoming an antler ornament. The animals are also on private land, so fence jumping is plainly the wrong thing to do.
This annual show is only beginning and will continue to November. Peak action is over the next month or so, but bugling will continue for some time.
