Feature Topic:  Bull #3
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years old
History:  Bull #3 was released into Cataloochee Valley in the winter of 2001.  He was captured and brought in from Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky.

Bull #3 was released into Cataloochee in the winter of2001. He has since moved out of the Valley towards Oconaluftee to the west.  Bull #3 spends most of the year solitaire only to return to Cataloochee Valley every fall when the rut begins and bulls vie for dominance within the herd.  This behavior seems to be typical of the bigger, more dominant bulls.

It is thought that by spending the year alone, they are free to consume all of the most nutrient-rich food sources rather than competing for them with other elk. This allows them to grow larger and stronger than the bulls sharing a food source, giving them an advantage when it comes to rutting.  Bull #3 currently controls a harem of approximately 7 cows and 4 calves.

As autumn rapidly progresses, and the days are getting shorter, the elk of Cataloochee are showing more and more signs of reproductive behavior.  Bull #3 and Bull #16 each currently have a small harem of cows traveling with them in separate fields.  The two were seen fighting recently but it was very brief and did not seem to identify a clear order of dominance. 

These two bulls are the most common to be seen and heard bugling, but are certainly not the only ones.  As the days pass, more of the subordinate bulls are heard bugling around the fields and are seen sparring with each other quite frequently.  While there has not been any confirmed reproduction yet, the cows are expected to cycle into estrus within a week or two and breeding should begin shortly.

Bull #81, 2-years old, left Cataloochee Valley in June and moved to the Waterville/Big Creek area.  He returned to the Valley briefly in early September when the other bulls were beginning to spar and vie for dominance.  After just one week #81 left the valley again passing through the Big Creek area and continuing all the way north of the Newport, TN city limits.  He has now been located just to the west, south, and east of Newport city limits. 

Since those reporting the elk on their property have been receptive of his presence and he has not caused any damage, #81 is not being considered a nuisance and will not be returned to the valley at this time.  He is being monitored regularly for location and survival. 

Cow#47  has spent the last several weeks in an area near Route-74 in the town of Ela, NC.  She moved there from the Oconaluftee area in the middle of August.  On October 9, she moved back up to the Oconaluftee area and is currently traveling with the small group of elk that feed in the Big Cove Road fields.  Her movement back to this group of elk coincides with the time she is expected to come into estrus and breed.

With the leaves beginning to change colors this is an excellent time to visit Cataloochee to view the elk, and it seems that more people are making the trip daily. If you make the trip into the Valley, please remember to pull your vehicle off of the road when viewing wildlife, as it is becoming increasingly busy and traffic can congest quickly on the narrow road. 

Also, please remember that the elk are at an especially agitated state right now with the pressures of reproduction upon them, and they can become aggressive suddenly.  Remain in/near your vehicle at all times in the presence of elk and do not approach the animals! 

Report by Joe Yarkovich
Elk Research Coordinator