Elk Rut Videos
Wildlife in Nature..

Wildlife On Video Channel


Huge Elk Bulls Epic Fight Over the Toughest Elk Rut Territory

These are two of the most dominant Elk Bulls in this area of the Canadian Rockies. While the Older Bull is a little Larger and more experienced, the slightly Younger Bull has been pressing for dominance here for the last couple of weeks. These two huge Elk Bulls have had several short fights and have bugled back and forth almost constantly in between territory battles. While we don't know if this will be their last fight, it will likely remain one of the most Epic Elk Bull battles we have ever seen. The very rocky terrain under the river water is likely what caused the battle to end as neither of these two evenly matched Giants seemed to want to concede. You can also hear a younger bull near us overlooking the fight and bugling his incredible bugle several times.




Big Elk Bulls Bugle and Square Off During the Beginning of the Rut

Big Elk Bulls Bugle and Square Off During the Beginning of the Rut. This is looking more and more like the Sheriff's Son. While this was a fairly light fight, it was an important one for them at this stage of the Elk Rut. They will likely fight again as the Rut progresses and the stakes become larger.




The Elk Rut is Coming!

The Elk Rut is almost upon us! Some of the Biggest Elk Bulls in North America will be Bugling, Battling, Herding and Courting during the most exciting time of Year for Elk Populations. The elk rut season is from late August through October, with some breeding activity continuing into November. Male elk, or elk bulls, are much more aggressive during this time. The peak of the elk rut season is when the most elk breeding activity occurs. During the elk rut season, there is lots of bugling, cow elk communication, and elk movement. During elk rutting season, bull elk may attack anything that comes close to them or their mates, which provides protection for the herd.




Elk Rut at it's Peak - 5 Bull River Action Bugles

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.




Elk Bull Boss Claims Athabasca River

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 great swimmers, having no problem with this strong current.




Active Elk Bull Bugling and Courting

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.




Magnificent New Elk Bull Boss

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.




Elk Bull Herding Cars and Cows

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 has Begun!

The High Heat, Fires and Bears everywhere seems to have disrupted the Elk Rut slightly this year, but the Elk Bulls are starting to Shine their Light now as the Elk Rut gets into High Gear. Unfortunately, the iconic Sheriff seems to have become a memory of those who live on, and we are blessed to have immortalized this incredible Champion. There is "No Bull" that stands out like the Sheriff this year but the Big Fella in many of these clips has taken over the most competitive territory and even rests in the very same spots that the Sheriff did. We are looking forward to sharing Elk's incredible battle for survival over the next couple of months. Thank You for Joining Us!




The Elk Rut

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.




Elk Rut Behavior - Courting

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.




Elk Rut Behavior - Herding and Courting

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.




Elk Rut with Lots of Bugling and Aggressive Bull Guarding his Canadian Rockies Harem

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.




Elk Rut Action at it's Peak

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.




Largest Bull Meets His Match during the Elk Rut

Elk Bull Fights are numerous during the Rut in Canada's Rockies, but this one was especially striking. Here is a close look at the Largest Elk Bull in this area.. first, a couple clips over the last month, before today's marathon fight with this younger rival. The younger rival has not been stressed near as much during the height of the rutting season, and clearly had the stamina to outlast one of this areas most dominant bulls today. The Bull that conceded defeat today has been the most dominant elk bull in this area now for years. This well known King has had to battle and run off rival bulls on almost a daily basis over the last month and a half, of which shows athleticism and genetics that are extremely rare. We suspect he decided it was more important to preserve his energy as very few cows remain in estrus. He did sustain some injuries here, but will likely be back to fight another day.




The Elk Rut is Coming

The beginning of the Elk Rut is just a month away. Elk Bull's will soon experience a dramatic increase in testosterone as they battle for claim to their territories' Throne.




Bull Behaviors with His Harem During the Elk Rut

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.




60 Elk Bull Bugles during the Elk Rut

Here are 60+ Elk Bull bugles during this year's Elk Rut so far. This shows a wide array of bugling sounds and tones from the largest Elk Bulls in this area of Canada's Rockies.




Magnificent Elk Bull Herding His Cows During the Rut

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.




Sheriff Faces an Aggressive Challenger

The Sheriff(largest elk bull) faces another gifted elk bull's challenge. You can see there are several other magnificent bulls sharing this space tonight, but this was the only bull that was attempting to take on the Sheriff. Just two days ago, the Sheriff was in a fight in which he broke a tine and received several cuts on his shoulders and neck. It was suspected that this Bull inflicted this damage, but now we can't be certain. It is possible that this could be "round 2", however. These posturing displays are typical when Elk Bulls are measuring each other up, usually just before a battle ensues. When the challenger charges, the Sheriff doesn't flinch.. which must have been what changed the tide. It also may add to the possibility that this was indeed round 2, as the challenger was quite confident up until that point.




Biggest Elk Bull All Fired Up During the Elk Rut - Lots of Bugles

The Sheriff, still considered the largest Elk Bull in this area, is all fired up around these cows and satellite Elk Bulls during the beginning of the Elk Rut. His Bugles clearly demonstrate the sounds of a dominant Elk Bull, signaling other Bulls that he is not to be messed with.




Magnificent Bull Moves His Cows early in the Elk Rut

This very Attentive Elk Bull will be one of the most dominant and magnificent Bulls to witness during this year's Elk Rut. He is not afraid to challenge anything that comes near him or his cows, which makes him a great patriarch for the herd he leads during the mating season ahead. Here he moves his cows along the Athabasca River in Canada's Rockies.




The Sheriff Getting Ready for Date Night

We are quite a distance away in the evening, but here is the Sheriff getting ready for Elk Rut Season Date Night in Athabasca River. It is still early in the Elk Rutting Season, but this is one Elk Bull that always stays a step ahead. Later this evening, he was confidently herding cows, which we will share shortly.




Sheriff Gets back to Business During the Elk Rut

As expected, the Sheriff never really skipped a beat after being slightly injured during a fight. He does seem to tend to his knees a bit, but is moving really well again as his focus remains on ruling this area during the Elk Rut. There were several other big elk bulls along the perimeter here, but all moved away when the largest bull bugled or started moving in their direction. The Sheriff seems to like the safety and quiet that the Athabasca River offers much of the time as he moves his herd there to rest. Thank you for your patience where the bit of digital zoom came in handy.




Elk Bulls Bugling During the Rut

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




Very Active Elk Bull with His Harem During the Elk Rut

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 Rut Videos

Huge Elk Bulls Epic Fight Over the Toughest Elk Rut Territory

Huge Elk Bull Runs off Competition for the Herd in the beginning of Rut

Magnificent Elk Bull Now Rules the Toughest Elk Rut Territory

Elk Bull Boss Stops Traffic and Bugles During the Rut

New Elk Bull Boss Moves the Old Boss Across the River

The New Sheriff in Town - Huge Elk Bull Now Ruling the Elk Rut's Toughest Territory

Magnificent Elk Bull Bugles from the Island During a Beautiful Evening of the Rut

Big Elk Bulls Square off Bugling During the Beginning of the Rut

Magnificent Elk Bull Bugles to Call Cows Back Across the River During the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull Seen so far This Elk Rut Asserts His Dominance

Huge Elk Bull Bugles Amongst Traffic During the Elk Rut

Huge Elk Bull Bugling and Herding During the Rut

Huge Elk Bull Courting Cows in Early Rut - She is Not Ready Yet!

Big Elk Bulls Bugle and Square Off During the Beginning of the Rut

Huge Elk Bull Herding Cows in a Crowd During the Elk Rut

Big Elk Bull Crosses the River to Join Cows and the Elk Rut - Could He be the Sheriff's Son?

Biggest Elk Bull So Far, Limping to Rest after a Fight as the Elk Rut Begins

Biggest Elk Bull So Far, Limping to Rest after a Fight as the Elk Rut Begins

First Elk Bull with Herding Behavior as the Rut Starts

Huge Elk Bull Crosses Our Path at Night Almost Ready for the Elk Rut

First Light Elk Bull Sparring Just before the Rut Begins

First Elk Bull Seen to Fully Shed His Velvet for the Rut is a Little Early

Biggest Elk Bull Courting and Bugling on the River in His Prime During the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull Courts and Bugles in His Prime During the Rut

Huge Alpha Elk Bull Packing on Weight with Lush Green Before the Elk Rut

Elk Bull Time in Our Beautiful Space Just Before the Rut

Awesome Elk Bull Looking Fantastic Before the Rut

The Elk Rut is Coming!

Magnificent Big Elk Bull Courting and Bugling During the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull Courting & Bugling During the Rut - the Sheriff

Biggest Elk Bull Gently Courting and Bugles During the Rut - The Sheriff

The Sheriff and His Successor - 2 Biggest Elk Bulls During the Elk Rut

Biggest Elk Bull Showing His Attentive Courting Behavior During the Elk Rut - the Sheriff

Sheriff's Offspring Entering His Prime? Lots of Growth Left Before Shedding Velvet for the Elk Rut!

The Sheriff Bugles in Front of Signal Mountain During the Rut

Sheriff Declaring War in His Area During the Elk Rut - Huge Elk Bull

Biggest Elk Bull Bugles on Approach at Dusk Looking Good During the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull "The Sheriff" Bugles Showing What Elk Rut Success Looks Like

Biggest Elk Bull's Antler Growth from Shed to Rut Ready

Very Different Huge Elk Bugles During the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull's Victory Bugles After a Tough Rut Battle - The Sheriff

Magnificent Elk Bulls on the Move During the Rut

Elk Bulls itching to Rub the Velvet Off and Practice for the Rut

World's Longest Big Elk Rut Bugle - Team Effort

Big Elk Bull's Last March with Antlers

Big Elk Bulls Anxious to Shed their Antlers

Elk Rut at it's Peak - 5 Bull River Action Bugles

Elk Herd Traversing Athabasca River in Front of Beautiful Mountain Range

Magnificent Bull Elk Lakeside with His Ladies

Magnificent Elk Bull Guarding His Harem During the Rut

Elk Bull Boss Claims Athabasca River

Active Elk Bull Bugling and Courting

Magnificent New Elk Bull Boss

Elk Bull Herding Cars and Cows

Aggressive Elk Bull Herding and Courting

The Elk Rut has Begun!

First Big Elk Bull Seen to Be Rut Ready

The Elk Rut

Awesome Elk Bull with 2 Months to go Before the Rut

Dominant Bulls During this Past Elk Rut

First Elk Bull to Show Rut Behavior Immediately After Shedding Velvet in August

Elk Bulls Being Scrappy During the Rut

1 Month's Antler Growth on the Biggest Elk Bull

Elk Bull Sheds One Antler

Elk Rut Behavior - Courting

Elk Rut Behavior - Herding and Courting

Largest Elk Bull Sheds His Antlers

Magnificent Elk Bull at His Biggest Early in the Rut

Biggest Elk Bull Exhausted after Battle at the End of the Rut

No Alarm Clock Needed! Elk Bull Bugling at the Lodge

Magnificent Elk Bull During the Rut and Today

Huge Elk Bull Eats Pine Needles when Food is Scarce

Why Do Elk Eat Bark?

Elk Bull Bugles, Scrapes and Looks over Our Mountain Town on a Nice Evening During the Rut

Magnificent Elk Bull Herding His Cows During the Rut

Elk Rut Action at it's Peak

Sheriff brings Cows to a Beautiful Lakeside During the Elk Rut

Magnificent Elk Bull Pursuing Cows During the Elk Rut

60 Elk Bull Bugles during the Elk Rut

Sheriff Faces an Aggressive Challenger

Sheriff Gets back to Business During the Elk Rut

Sheriff Recovering from Battle early in the Elk Rut

Magnificent Bull Moves His Cows early in the Elk Rut

Why Do Elk Rub Trees During the Elk Rut?

The Sheriff Getting Ready for Date Night

Biggest Elk Bull All Fired Up During the Elk Rut - Lots of Bugles

Bigger Bull Steals the Herd Early in the Elk Rut

First Elk Bull to Form Herd in the Elk Rut

Elk Bulls Shaking off the Cobwebs and Getting Back into Fighting Form

Elk Bulls Playfully Rubbing Antler Velvet Off while they Spar

First Dominant Elk Bull Moving in to Own His Rutting Territory

Young Elk Bull Ramping Up around Cows

First Elk Bulls Seen Getting Rut Ready

Big Elk Bull with Cows in Early Rut Communication

The Calm Before the Storm - Elk Rut

Newborn Elk Baby Walking and Nursing

Elk at Home in Water

Largest Elk Bull Sheds His Antlers

An Elk Bull Champion in the Off Season

Vocal Elk Bulls Sparring After the Rut

The Most Successful and Battled Elk Bull in this Territory

Very Active Elk Bull with His Harem During the Elk Rut

Magnificent Elk Bull Tending to His Harem During the Elk Rut

6 Bulls Hover around the Largest Elk Bull and His Harem During the Rut

Best of Elk Bull Fights During the Rut

Largest Bull herding His Harem During the Elk Rut

Bull Behaviors with His Harem During the Elk Rut

Elk Bugles and Chuckles from Early Rutting Season

Bulls Working out During the Elk Rut

Quiet Moments with a Living Legend Elk Bull During the Rut

Care Visiting the Rockies During The Elk Rut

Talbot Titan Announces His Arrival During the Elk Rut

Battle Between Two Elk Bull Giants

The Sheriff Goes for a Swim to Cool Off

Biggest Elk Bull Starts to Form His Harem.. The "Sheriff"

Elk Bull Aggression Rising for the Rut

First Big Elk Bull Forming His Harem - The Rut has Begun!

Ready for the Elk Rut 1 Week Transformation

Elk Bull During the Rutting Season

Beautiful Elk Bull During the Rut

Elk Sparring after the Rutting Season

Largest Bull Protecting His Harem during the Canadian Rockies Elk Rut

Largest Elk Bull Meets His Match Near the End of the Rut

Elk Bulls Sharing Territory have a Quick Eruption

2 Big Bull Elk Size Each Other Up

Young Elk Bulls as Testosterone Levels Rise

Jasper's Largest Bull Elk Seen So Far

Largest Elk Bull with his Harem During the Beginning of the Rut

Elk Bull Defending his Herd Early in the Rutting Season

Elk Bulls Bugling During the Rut

Elk in Canada's Rockies in June

Bull Elk King the Day of Dropping his Antlers

4 Elk Bulls Fighting Together Near the End of Rutting Season (HD)

Elk Bull Crossing Canadian Rockies Athabasca River (HD)

Kings of the Canadian Rockies Elk Rut (HD)

Elk Rut with Lots of Bugling and Aggressive Bull Guarding Harem - Canadian Rockies (HD)

Magnificent Bull Elk Responds to Bugle HD

An Evening Bull Elk Bugling and Interacting with Herd During Rut

Elk Bulls Fighting in the Canadian Rockies

Evenly Matched Elk Bulls in the Middle of the Night Banff National Park (HD)

Large Bull Elk after Shedding Velvet 3rd Week of August

Wildlife On Video
in Canada's Nature.


Wildlife On Video Channel