Elk are the main reason I camp at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma this time of year. On this visit, I could hear bull elk bugling in the distance, but good photo opportunities took several days.
Following the sound of bull elk bugling
I wasn’t seeing many elk during my drives through Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The ones I found stayed far from the road. Last year, I had seen them closer.
By my fifth day, I had only a few distant elk photos. I decided to hike into an area that had been good to me on previous visits.
I started early in the morning and heard several bulls as I walked farther in. Choosing one to follow, I paid attention to the wind and watched for cows along the way.
Before I reached the bull, I spotted a cow elk. I slowed my pace and took my time finding a place where I could photograph both.
The wind stayed in my favor, and the ground allowed me to move without much noise. Once I found a spot, I sat down and waited.
The elk appeared unaware of me as I photographed them for about an hour. Then I left, planning to return that afternoon.
I’ve shared other visits in Elk Encounters in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Watching the bull bugle from a boulder
That afternoon, I heard the bull bugling as I walked back into the same area. He seemed to be staying in the general spot where I had left him.
This time, I climbed onto a large boulder with a small tree in front of it. The tree provided cover, and the extra height gave me a better view through the tall grass.
I settled in and watched the elk bed down.
During the afternoon, the bull bugled while lying on the ground. I had never noticed that behavior before. Until then, I hadn’t known a bull would bugle without getting to his feet.
I had come back hoping for more photographs. Spending time watching the resting elk gave me something new to learn about them, too.
Two bison change my afternoon plans
After a while, the elk became alert. My first thought was that the wind had shifted and carried my scent toward them.
But the wind hadn’t changed. Two bison were coming into the area from behind my position.
I continued photographing as the elk stood up. In the photos, they look as though they’re watching me. I think they were watching the bison behind me, though I can’t be certain.
The bison came close to the boulder, and one began thrashing a small bush with its horns.
At that point, I decided to leave. I slid off the boulder and slipped out of the area.
After several days of distant sightings, I had spent both morning and afternoon watching these elk. The bull bugling from his resting spot was the part I hadn’t expected to see.
I can hear the bugling in my head while looking at the elk shots, Steve! I also have always thought that the males only bugled while standing, so your behavioral observations are really exciting to me! Glad you were able to get the hell out of Dodge safely when the bison showed up (but not without photographic evidence on your way).
Great photos, Steve. What a fun day for a wildlife photographer!
Thank you and it was.
How close were you????? Both elk and bison are so capable of charging and throwing and stomping something – too much potential for injury and death.
Of course, who wouldn’t love to see them up close. We used to live in the mountains in Colorado and had a local elk herd that moved through twice a year. Beautiful. HUGE. They don’t know they’re beautiful, but they know they’re the biggest creature around! I loved watching them — through the kitchen windows.
Also, your post piqued my interest about elk in Oklahoma. I wondered when they were introduced and from where. Great historical reading.
Thanks for the photos and the story.
I was photographing them while lying on top of a large boulder. I don’t think they could get to me.
Fantastic photos! Thank you so much for them and your educational information.