2010 Arkansas Elk Rut Underway

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.

2010 Arkansas Elk Rut

Buffalo National River fans know that the Arkansas elk herd is the most viewable herd in the South. This amazing attraction allows visitors to view elk from the roadsides in Boxley Valley. It has increased in popularity every year as word has spread to across Arkansas and adjoining states.

Elk Viewers in Historic Boxley Valley. Note the people sitting.
they cannot be seen by oncoming traffic. Always stand and
get well off the road. Drivers looking for elk will not see you.  

The good news is that the rut is now less than 30 days off. Big bull elk have pulled in close to the cow elk herds. They can be seen in Boxley Valley scraping velvet off their antlers in preparation for fighting just weeks away.

The peak of the 2010 rut is roughly from the last week in September through the first week in October. Like whitetail deer, cow elk return to estrous until they are successfully bred. These cycles extend the rut until late in the year. Bull fights, while less common, can occur even in November.

It is time to plan your visit to Boxley Valley for the 2010 Arkansas elk rut. In about a month, visitors will be treated to the best elk viewing of the year. The bulls will begin bugling in about three weeks. During the peak rut, evening bugling is quite common.

Plan on visiting often during this amazing time. If you are fortunate, you will see a bull fight. Mornings and evening
s are the best times for viewing and listening. Remember to pull over on the wide shoulders, out of traffic.