Bull elk in Yellowstone National Park are on the make, and they can be unpredictable and dangerous during fall mating season. If you’re headed to the park, keep your distance from these fellows as they will experience no guilt in hurting you.
It’s the elk mating season, commonly referred to as the rut, and it is officially underway. So, keep these thoughts in mind:
- Bull elk can be unpredictable and dangerous during this time.
- Stay alert! People have been severely injured by elk. Elk run quickly and may change direction without warning.
- Always maintain a distance of at least two bus lengths (25 yards) from elk.
- Give them room, use your zoom. Never approach or pursue animals to take their picture. Zoom lenses with focal lengths up to 300mm or 400mm offer a great combination of portability and reach.
- If an elk charges you: (1) Quickly find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier; (2) Run away if nearby shelter is not available.
- Follow directions from park rangers.
- You are responsible for your own safety.
- And if you see a stupid tourist approaching one these animals for a photo, yell something at the top of your lungs to tell him (or her) to back off. You may save a life!
##RVT1069b
It’s too bad this isn’t a Capt. Obvious article. Too many stupid people out there.
Should be any where there are Elk. I was visiting Estes Park one year and the Elk calf on the golf course. People can walk along the golf course walk ways. My wife and I were walking along the path and the Elk just stroll around. Then someone ran up to the big bull several yards away from us and stuck a camera in the bulls face. Luckily, the bull turned away from the people, but he walked out in the main intersection and stood there for awhile. The police had “fun” trying to get him to move on.
90% of what is written in this “article” was a copy and paste of what the National Park Service posted on Yellowstone’s Facebook page.
Your point being …? Are we supposed to “make up” safety tips for the National Park Service? We’re helping to spread the word for those people who visit the park but don’t use Facebook. But even if they read these safety tips, there will still be those people who just do what they want anyway, unfortunately. Have a good day, Kelley. 🙂 –Diane
Pointless article since the people who do these things don’t know how to read or if they can read, assume it doesn’t apply to them.