Rocky Mountain Elk

Rocky Mountain elk are the most widespread of North America's four elk subspecies, ranging through mountain forests, alpine meadows, and shrub-steppe from the Rockies west into the Cascade Range. Bulls typically run 700 to 1,000-plus pounds, cows around 500 to 600; both are lighter in color than Roosevelt elk, and bulls carry more slender, longer-tined antlers with less palmation. Highly social, they graze mainly on grasses and forbs while browsing shrubs too, gathering into herds that can run into the hundreds — and come fall, the rut turns quiet mountain basins into bugling contests as bulls compete for mates.