At he height of the Elk Rut, 5 Elk Bulls try to gain courting access to Cows crossing Athabasca River. The River serves as a territory boundary that is crossed often by both Cows and Bulls during the Rut. The high activity and amount of Bugling is common at the height of the Rut, when many Cows are in Estrus. While some Bulls are still not sure where they rank, you can see the hierarchy in this small location unfold by the end of the video. Finally, the Boss on this particular Day receives acceptance from the cow and calf, granting his request.

Occasionally, a Magnificent Elk Bull will move his herd to one of the remote Lakes and take some reprieve from the constant onslaught of competitors. This was a Beautiful Day, probably for Both them and Us to witness. This ruling Bull has lots of years in Him yet, and He seems to learn faster than some of His counterparts.

This Elk Bull Boss answered Bugles from another large Bull on the other side of Athabasca River. He came across and not only claimed the territory, but seemed to increase the size of his Herd as well. During the Elk Rut, Elk will cross this River very often to rest or cover more ground. You can see they are great swimmers, having no problem with this strong current.

With 4 Rivals in the immediate area, this Active Elk Bull still managed to stay in charge, Bugling and Courting receptive Cows during the Elk Rut.

This Magnificent ruling Elk Bull did not face much opposition while Guarding His Harem During the Rut this year. He should go into Winter this year still in great condition, which is often rare for ruling Elk Bulls.

A Magnificent New Elk Bull Boss arrives and takes over the prime Elk Rut territory. This Elk Bull was quick to dominate the Bugles and Cow Courting in this area, with no rivals sticking around to challenge him.

It was still a little smokey on this evening, but this Aggressive Elk Bull intended to make his mark now. You can see this Elk bull has a Strong Bugle, temperament, instincts and genetics that will likely carry him a long way this Elk Rut, even with larger Rivals. Much of this shows herding and courting behavior during the Elk Rut.

This energetic Elk Bull did the best He could under the circumstances, during the beginning of the Elk Rut. He has since managed to move this herd to a more isolated spot.

The Elk Rut is just a couple months away. Elk Bulls are putting on a lot of weight right now as their testosterone increases and they have access to much more nutritious food. Bugles, Battles and Breeding will be taking over this Beautiful area as Bulls fight to claim or hold their territories' throne.

The most Dominant Bulls during this past Elk Rut are true Titans with superior genetics. Their Size, Stamina, Knowledge and Experience have all been Proven. We were very lucky to be able to observe them during this past year's epic Elk Rut and look forward to seeing All these Titans at full throttle again very soon!

While Dominant Elk Bull's display will attracts cows, bulls will also herd females to try to keep them from escaping to a rival Bull. The more a Big Bull works and advertises his dominance, the less likely cows will leave him.

Elk bulls will continue to charm females in their harems with bugling and displays, but it is the cows that will size up the bulls in the area and decide who looks most attractive. Cows do not want to be harassed by younger bulls that constantly chase down unattached females, so a big dominant herd bull that keeps younger bulls at a distance gives cows the peace they want to keep feeding for the winter ahead.

A Big Herd Bull will cut off cows that have ventured too far away, rushing at her with an aggressive display. The herd Bull will also use a similar technique to move the harem to safety, to an area to bed down, or simply away from another competitive bull.

When cows comes into heat, a herd bull performs courting behavior that is different from his herding behavior. The herd bull will now approach cows slowly and carefully, with antlers high and tongue flicking, doing everything he can to win her over. If a cow is not ready to mate, she will move away with her head low, weaving her neck side to side and the bull will stop his immediate courting. Cows will accept and tolerate the herd bull’s behavior when they are ready.

Here are the most magnificent Elk Bulls courting during the Elk Rut. When Elk cows comes into estrus, a herd bull performs courting behavior that is different from his herding behavior. The herd bull will approach cows slowly and carefully, with antlers high and tongue flicking, doing everything he can to win her over. If a cow is not ready to mate, she will move away with her head low, weaving her neck side to side and the bull will stop his immediate courting. Cows will tolerate and accept the herd bull’s behavior when they are ready.

A high ratio of Big Elk Bulls to Cows in a tight area of Nature at the height of the Elk Rut. Elk Bulls came out of everywhere in this short period, and the dynamics were amazing to witness. The Sheriff still had no problem asserting his dominance among all these incredible Bulls, but there were many successes between other Bulls and Cows as well. A lot of energy expenditure on the formation and protection of small herds, both along and in Athabasca River. These couple days were not only filled with fighting, bugling, herding and mating, but also some elk rut behaviors not previously witnessed. We left all the original sound in which offers listening to the intensity of all that we could see, but also that we could only hear. Much of this elk rut footage includes hand held digital zoom at dusk.. thank you for your patience with that.

The most magnificent Elk Bull we have witnessed in nature, the "Sheriff" looks his best here early in the rutting season. Whether herding cows, battling other elk bulls, or chasing bears up trees, this huge Elk Bull has a commanding presence that has dominated for many years. He will be shedding very soon in preparation for another upcoming Rutting Season this Fall. The Sheriff has educated so many and done so much for Wildlife. We Tip our Hats to You Big Fella!

The first big Elk Bull to form a herd with his cows and calves is already very active early in the Elk Rut. Sorry for the camera tilt at times.

Here is one of several successful Bulls in the Canadian Rockies during this year's Elk Rut the last few weeks, displaying..
- Vocalizations,
- Rubbing antlers against trees, shrubs and the ground to impress cows, show dominance, and mark a territory,
- Licking, Sniffing and tasting,
- Flehmen or lip curls,
and Herding his Harem.

Magnificent Elk Bulls bugling during the rutting season in Canada's Rockies.

This Elk Bull has moved up in the Rut Season rankings as a force to be reckoned with for over 5 years now. Standing out in a crowd, his incredible genetics will soon be seen everywhere. He has been one of the earliest Bulls to form harems the last few years and now asserts himself over quite a large range.. coming into the Sheriff's territory for much of this past Rut. Here are some not previously shared moments of him during the Elk Rut as well as some peaceful moments of Him today, looking great.

One of the Most Magnificent Bulls during this year's Elk Rut. Here he is herding cows in the Sheriff's territory(Dominant Elk Bull). This Bull had several bouts with the Sheriff this year, but still wasn't shy about bugling, chuckling and herding while remaining in the same area.

The early stages of the Elk Rut in Canada's Rockies - Jasper National Park. These Video Clips are fractions of several days of a Wonderful experience. This particular Bull Elk has aggressively defended His harem from Several other Bulls over the last few days, of which is still quite early for the Elk Rutting Season.

A Magnificent Elk Bull being very active during the Rut in the Canadian Rockies. This Elk rut video is part 2 of 2 of this Bull and his harem as aggression and herding instincts are very high.

Elk Bulls like this have an important role in making sure there are new calves next Spring. While larger, more dominant Bulls are resting or not attending cows during the rut, satellite bulls may move in to mate with these cows. Bugling can be heard in just about every direction at the peak of the rut with most being nice Bulls like this. This elk bull demonstrates rutting season behaviors as he looks over our beautiful small mountain town.

Here is the "Sheriff".. this areas biggest Elk Bull, working on a tree today. You can see he could easily uproot it. Elk Bulls scrape or rub trees initially to remove velvet from their antlers just before the Elk Rut. As the Rutting season progresses, Elk Bulls will continue to rub their antlers on trees to spread scent, appeal to nearby cows, show dominance, and strengthen or "exercise" their neck muscles for the battles that will soon come. As Elk Bulls continue to rub their antlers on vegetation and themselves, the white/bone color will change to darker brown hues.. mahogany and/or tan. When the Elk Rut is in full swing, this scraping/rubbing becomes more aggressive and often brings challengers together.

The Sheriff shows how exhausted he is at the end of the Rut. He endured so many battles during this rutting season and his competition was fierce. All who knew him were a little worried about the Big Old Fella seen here as he retreated to rest with a leaking eye and faint bugles.