July 27, 2020
Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains
Have you seen elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Our area is home to nearly 200 of the magnificent animals.
Bull elk look imposing with their full rack of antlers.
Elks are awe-inspiring creatures. The males can weigh up to 700 pounds. The females fiercely defend their offspring and may charge challengers. For a few weeks during the fall mating season, the males, with fully developed racks, bugle and fight to get the attention of the females. The females gather in groups, called harems, on the edge of the fighting fields.
Large herds of elk once roamed along the Appalachian Mountain Range from George to Canada. But, due to overhunting and habitat destruction, the species disappeared from the region in the 1800’s. The National Park Service determined it was appropriate to bring back a native species that had been eliminated from park lands. A small herd of 25 of the animals was reintroduced to the park in 2001. As part of the experiment, the animals were outfitted with radio collars. In 2002 another 27 animals were brought to the area. This reintroduction has been very successful and today the population flourishes.
Best Places to View Elk
The elks have become celebrities, attracting many visitors each year. Most of the elk can be found in the Cataloochee area in the southeastern area of the park. They may be active on cloudy summer days and before or after storms. But the best time to spot them is early morning or late evening. The Park Service reminds you to enjoy the animals from a distance and use binoculars for close-up views. In fact, approaching within 150 feet, or any distance that disturbs the animals, is illegal in the park. To avoid fines and arrest, do not enter the field. Remain by the roadside, please. http://www.nps.gov
Please send your pictures to [email protected]. We would love to share them with other guests!
April 3, 2018
Elk Thrive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park look forward to spotting our large wildlife–namely bear and elk. We are fortunate indeed to be located near such splendor.
A bull elk is a magnificent sight.
Did you know that once large numbers of elk freely roamed the Appalachian Mountains and eastern United States? Unfortunately, overhunting and destruction of habitat severely lowered their numbers. Conservation groups became concerned that the animals would eventually become extinct. The last of the magnificent beasts disappeared from Tennessee in the mid 1800’s.
In 2001 the National Park Service reintroduced elk to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Twenty-five of the animals were moved to the park then, and 27 more were placed here in 2002. The elk (or wapiti) wear radio collars and ear tags to aid conservationists in tracking their range and movements. The herd now numbers as many as 200 animals.
These are the largest animals in the Smokies. The bulls weigh 600 to 700 pounds, measure 7 to 10 feet long, and sport antlers that can measure 5 feet from tip to tip.
Safe Viewing of Elk in the Park
The best times to view these animals are early in the morning and late in the evening. They also are more active after storms or on cloudy days. Most of them are located in the Cataloochee area in the southeastern section of the park, easily accessible from the Buckhorn Inn. This is a lovely area to hike and picnic as well. Always view these wild animals from a safe distance, using binoculars or a camera for close-ups. Be especially careful of calves as there likely is an anxious mother nearby. The males may perceive you as a challenger and charge. The National Park Service offers a short video about safely viewing elk. You may find a link to it at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/elk.htm
During March and April the animals begin to shed their antlers. Please note that it is not legal to remove antlers from the park. The discarded antlers are a rich source of calcium for other wildlife in the park.
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