Feature Topic: The Fall Rut

The shortening days and cooling temperatures of September and October signal an important time of the year for the elk of Cataloochee: the fall rut.  The rut is the several-week breeding period when the cows cycle into estrus and the bulls compete for dominance to mate with the cows. 

A bull’s behavior will change significantly during the rut.  They will have swollen necks, much like white-tail deer and will be seen rubbing their antlers against trees and the ground.  They will scrape a bare spot on the ground with their hooves and antlers and urinate in it before wallowing there.  This spreads their scent evenly across their body, announcing their presence to females and other bulls alike. 

A more noticeable announcement of their presence is bugling; a call the bulls make that can be heard up to a mile away in some terrains.  This advertises his fitness to the cows, or challenges other bulls.  If another bull accepts the challenge, the two will lock antlers and fight until an order of dominance is established.  Typically, only the bigger, stronger bulls have a chance to mate with the females ensuring that the strongest genes are passed on to the offspring.  When a cow cycles into estrus it lasts for less than 24 hours, so the herd bull must remain attentive, even while other bulls are challenging him.

Throughout the rut this year the cows and calves were split into two separate harems.  Bull #16 traveled with one group while bull #3 traveled with the other.  Both defended their respective harems against the subordinate bulls and were each seen breeding within their group.  #16 is currently traveling with all of the cows, but has allowed younger bulls to once again travel with the herd, a signal that the rut is over.  Bull #3 has since left the Valley and traveled back to the Big Cove area near Cherokee.

Bull #81 has continued traveling and is currently near Baxter’s Orchard along route 321 between Cosby and Greenbrier.  Local land owners as well as the orchard owners have not reported any damage being caused by him; the only exception is that traffic tends to slow down when the elk is visible.  We are working with the land owners to help ensure #81 remains safe while in the area, at the same time trying to keep him away from the roads for the safety of motorists and himself. 

An unmarked, untagged cow elk has been seen traveling with the elk in or near the fields at the Oconaluftee visitor’s center.  There has also been an additional calf seen traveling with the group, increasing the total number of confirmed calves born this year to twelve.  Ten of those twelve are known to still be alive and we will be working over the winter to put new collars on them to monitor their survival.  Five of those are female, four are male, and one has not been seen regularly enough to confirm the sex.

everal bulls that had not been seen out in the fields for several months have returned.  #82, #41, #36 are now seen daily traveling with the group that has been there all summer and fall.  Bull #68 has left the valley and has been seen traveling with several other elk in the White Oak community, east of Cataloochee.

Visitation has dramatically decreased with the closures of the campgrounds and the elk of the Valley often remain out in the fields throughout the entire day now that temperatures are cooler.  These two factors combine to make a great time for visiting Cataloochee to view the elk without the relative commotion of the higher visitation seasons.  For your safety and theirs, please remember to remain on the roadway when any wildlife is present. 

Report by Joe Yarkovich
Elk Management