Above: A curious bull, member of the northern herd of Yellowstone elk, moves in for a closer look.

Elk (Cervus elaphus) are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone; paleontological evidence confirms their continuous presence for at least 1,000 years. Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, when market hunting of all large grazing animals was rampant. Not until after 1886, when the U.S. Army was called in to protect the park and wildlife slaughter was brought under control, did the large animals increase in number.

More than 30,000 elk from 7-8 different herds summer in Yellowstone and approximately 15,000 to 22,000 winter in the park. The subspecies of elk that lives here are found from Arizona to northern Canada along the Rocky Mountain chain; other species of elk were historically distributed from coast to coast, but disappeared from the eastern United States in the early 1800s. Some other subspecies of elk still occupy coastal regions of California, Washington, and Oregon. Elk are the second largest member of the deer family (moose are larger). Adult males, or bulls, range upwards of 700 pounds while females, or cows, average 500-525 pounds. Their coats are reddish brown with heavy, darker-colored manes and a distinct yellowish rump patch.

Bulls by the Gardner River in Yellowstone

Gardner River bull and a harem in Gibbon Meadows, Yellowstone

Racks on Specimen Ridge

A poacher's stash and a trophy head.

View from Specimen Ridge and the trophy head

Ranger photographing a poacher's stash, and a bull elk at Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs elk during the fall rut

Early season storm and an aggressive bull

Two bulls from two seasons in Yellowstone

A bull in velvet and cows by the Gardner River

Elk Expressions