Pennsylvania Game News - September 2018 - 6

charge our visitor center's bronze elk
statue."

ELK RANGE BEHAVIOR
Assembling a harem of cows is what
drives bulls, which might lose up to 15
percent of their body weight during the
rut. But cows aren't always agreeable to
a bull's collecting efforts.
"As much as a bull tries to keep all
his cows in one group, there is constant
movement in and out of a given harem,"
Banfield noted. "Harem size is constantly
changing."
A bull's strategy during the rut is to
maintain a harem of cows so he can
monitor when each member goes into
heat in a limited 12- to 14-hour window,
Cogan said.
"When a cow is close to ready, a bull
will lock down with her," Cogan said. "He
will not leave her until he breeds her."
A cow will stand to be bred only when
she's ready. A mature bull won't push her,
Cogan said. But a younger bull won't
show the same restraint. They usually
push and harass cows. Young bulls aren't
the only elk sorting out where they fit in.
"Calves aren't sure what's taking place,
because, for the first time, a cow will push
its calf away, even rear on its back legs
and kick-box with its front legs to push
the calf away," Cogan said.
This push-away occurs only when a

Cover Painting by Dana bellis
It can get noisy in Elk County in late September,
with the echoing bugles and sparring bull elk,
gearing up for the rut, and with other bulls
coming in to the clash of antlers. "September in
Benezette," which is featured on this month's
cover and also on pages 2 and 3, captures some
of the excitement of being in elk country in
early fall. Visit danabellisart.com to see other
works from this month's cover artist Dana Bellis.

6

ELK COUNTRY
Elk can be seen at any time of year, anywhere
throughout Pennsylvania's elk range. Of course, the
height of the rut, generally from Sept. 20 through
Columbus Day, attracts more visitors. And the
following spots are among the best.

Hill: The KECA visitor center
u Winslow
grounds and the Game Commission's

viewing area on Winslow Hill both are
hotspots. They can be accessed with
vehicles without high suspension or fourwheel drive. Parking is first-come, first
serve and often is limited by high usage
at both destinations in September and
October. The visitor center offers plenty
to do, even if the elk aren't out.

Run Viewing Area: Adjacent to the
v Hicks
Hicks Run Cemetery along Route 555

on the Elk State Forest, the destination
provides a blind overlooking high-quality
elk forage. Managed by DCNR, it is
located about 12 miles east of Benezette.

Farm Viewing Area: Located at
w Hoover
intersection of Wykoff Run Road and the
Quehanna Highway, the viewing area is
managed by DCNR on Moshannon State
Forest. The viewing area has a blind
overlooking food plots and openings
managed by the Game Commission.

cow is near estrous. And if the calf lingers,
it risks being gored by the courting bull.
"I have seen calves killed by bulls
because they didn't move away and
were gored," Cogan explained. "I
was never sure if this was intentional, but
it happens."
Banfield concurred, noting it happened
a few years ago just out of view of the
Game Commission livestream elk camera
near Winslow Hill, northeast of Benezette.
Because powerful elk are capable of
harming people, too, it's always best to
keep your distance from elk, regardless
of how approachable they might appear
to be. If elk become habituated to people,
it spells trouble for both, Banfield said.
http://www.danabellisart.com
Pennsylvania Game News - September 2018

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