Sourced by Alexander Turcan
Elk/Deer
The dangerous times are in the spring, when elks are protective of their calves, and the fall mating season, known as the rut. Sometimes the bulls can be very aggressive. During the rut, elks are in big groups. You want to make sure you’re not in between the aggressive bull elk and the focus of his attention.
Here are some tips from The Payson Roundup, a small paper that covers Rim Country in central Arizona, an area that has had its fair share of elk invasions.
- Always keep a safe distance and if driving, stay in your car.
- Never approach a baby calf; they are not abandoned even if the cow is not in sight. The cow is close by or very likely has gone to water and will return. The maternal instinct could produce an aggressive behavior, if something might come between her and her calf, so play it safe.
- Elks travel in the reduced light of early morning or late afternoon – so, if you want to avoid an elk, don’t go out during dawn or dusk.
If you are charged by a deer or elk:
- Do not turn your back on the animal, as they almost always charge from behind.
- Facing the animal, raise your arms and your jacket, to make yourself appear larger. Swing the jacket around to make yourself appear formidable.
- If you have a dog with you, turn it loose and that might distract the deer or elk.
- Climb a tree.
- If you are knocked down, curl up in a fetal position to protect your head, neck and organs. You might be thumped a few times, and then, likely, the animal will leave.
- If the animal has antlers, you might sustain serious injuries, so do your best to put trees or boulders between you and the animal.