Elk

Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest.

• If you approach an animal so closely that it stops feeding, changes direction of travel, or otherwise alters its behavior, you are too close. 
• Do not enter fields to view elk—remain by the roadside and consider using binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. 
• The following are prohibited within the national park: the use of spotlights and wildlife calls, removal of elk antlers or other elk body parts, feeding wildlife. 

Disturbing wildlife may lead to their death. Learn how you can protect park wildlife. 

 

The reintroduction of elk to the park began in 2001 with the release of the first group of 25 elk. Building on this, an additional 27 elk were introduced in 2002.

Paul Driessche

History of Elk in the Smokies

Elk hold the title of the largest animal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, commanding an immense amount of admiration among visitors. However, their presence in this region is a story of resilience and conservation. Once abundant across the southern Appalachian Mountains and the eastern United States, elk faced a dramatic decline due to over-hunting and habitat loss. The last elk in North Carolina is believed to have been killed by the late 1700s and the last elk in Tennessee is reported to have been killed in the mid-1800s. By 1900, the elk population across North America had dwindled to alarming levels, prompting concern among hunting groups and conservationists about the species' potential extinction.

A primary mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve native plants and animals on lands it manages; therefore, the NPS embarked on a significant initiative to restore elk to their historic range within the Smokies. In 2001, a determined effort began with the reintroduction of 25 elk to the Cataloochee Valley. These 25 elk were from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, located along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Today, these majestic animals once again roam the North Carolina side of the park, contributing to the ecological balance of the Smokies.

 

Elk can be viewed from a safe distance on the North Carolina side of the park.

Warren Bielenberg

Elk Viewing

Visitors are encouraged to experience the beauty of elk in their natural habitat while prioritizing safety and conservation. Elk are wild animals and can react instinctually to perceived threats. In particular females (cows) with calves and males (bulls) will defend their territory. To ensure both your safety and the well-being of these animals, maintain a distance of at least 50 yards from all wildlife or any distance that alters their natural behavior.

Respect calves

Never touch or move elk calves. Even if they appear abandoned, their mothers are often nearby. Elk calves are born without a scent, leading mothers to leave them in safe spots while they forage for food. This natural behavior is essential for their survival—elks’ young ones will typically lie still to avoid detection by potential threats, the same is true for white-tailed deer fawns.

Viewing times

For the most rewarding elk viewing experience, plan your visits during early morning or late evening hours, when elk are most active. They are also known to emerge on cloudy days.

Viewing locations

Visitors can spot elk in many locations on the North Carolina side of the park. Notable viewing areas include Cataloochee, Balsam Mountain, and Oconaluftee.

 

It is common for elk calves to be left alone by their mothers, so it's important not to assume that an elk calf is abandoned if you find one alone. Mothers often leave their calves in a safe spot while they forage for food nearby.

Chalice Keith

Description and Biology

Elk (Cervus canadensis) are the second largest member of the deer family Cervidae. Renowned for their impressive stature, these animals boast thick, dark brown necks and long, slender legs, complemented by a distinctive light-colored patch on their rumps. Typically found in herds, elk thrive in open shrubland and valley habitats, where they graze on a diverse diet of grasses, forbs, acorns, and the bark, leaves, and buds from shrubs and trees.

In western North Carolina, there are approximately 270 elk, with around 150 of them spending at least part of the year within the boundaries of the park. Elk in the area have an average lifespan of around 15 years. Male elk, known as bulls, can weigh up to an impressive 900 pounds, while female elk, or cows, have weighed up to 600 pounds. Adult elk can reach lengths of seven to ten feet from nose to tail and stand about four and a half to five feet tall at the shoulder.

Cows typically give birth to a single calf each year, with newborns weighing around 35 pounds. Remarkably, these calves can stand shortly after birth and will nurse from their mothers for a period ranging from one to seven months.

Elk possess an acute sense of smell and exceptional eyesight, which helps protect them from potential predators. In the Smokies, adult elk are generally safe from threats, as their primary predators (gray wolves and mountain lions), have been extirpated from the park. However, young, sick, or injured elk may still fall prey to coyotes, bobcats, and black bears.

 

The soft tissue layer over the growing antlers called velvet supplies nutrients to facilitate growth and development.

Chalice Keith

The story behind the antlers

Antlers are branched structures that grow annually on the heads of male deer species, like elk. Unlike horns, which are permanent and grow continuously, antlers are temporary and are shed and regrown each year. Antlers are primarily made of bone and covered in a soft tissue known as velvet while growing.

The life cycle of elk antlers

For bull elk, antler growth begins when they reach approximately one year of age. This natural process restarts every spring through a combination of decreasing testosterone levels and the increasing hours of daylight.

Initially, this hormonal shift prompts the bull to shed the previous year's antlers—typically in March. Shortly after, the new antler growth begins. The developing antlers are enveloped in velvet and as blood circulates through the velvet, it nourishes the antlers by depositing calcium and other essential minerals.

By early August, changes in hormones signal the conclusion of the antler growth phase. Bulls begin to scrape off the velvet, resulting in a polished and sharpened set of antlers that can reach an impressive 55–60 inches in length and span almost five feet wide, weighing approximately 30 pounds a pair.

Why do elk retain their antlers after breeding?

Antlers play a crucial role in social interactions and settling disputes among bulls, even in the winter months. While bull elk can resort to using their front hooves for combat, this method often leads to injuries. By keeping their antlers, bulls can assert dominance and minimize conflict-induced injuries, especially as they spend more time with other bulls and mixed-gender herds during the winter.

 

Dominant bulls during the rut gather harems of up to 20 cows for breeding.

Paul Driessche

Elk Through the Seasons

Spring

In early spring—typically March—most elk shed their antlers. These antlers, rich in calcium, are quickly consumed by rodents and other animals. After shedding, elk immediately begin to grow new antlers. As spring progresses, the elk also start to shed their winter coats, transitioning to sleek, copper-colored summer coats that are one-layered. Most female elk, or cows, will give birth to their calves by early June.

Summer

During the heat of summer, male elk often roll in mud wallows to cool off and fend off pesky insects. By August, their antlers are fully grown and have shed their soft "velvet." By the end of summer, calves have lost their spots, further marking their maturation.

Fall

As summer fades into fall, from early September to mid-October, elk gather in mixed herds for their mating season, known as the "rut." During this time, bulls produce their legendary bugling calls to challenge other males and announce their availability to nearby cows. These calls can be heard from more than a mile away. While large bulls use their antlers to intimidate and spar with rivals, most encounters are ritualistic, involving little physical contact. Typically, the weaker bull will concede and wander off, with serious injuries occurring only occasionally.

Winter

As winter sets in, elk put on a two-layered coat to withstand the colder temperatures. The long guard hairs on the outer layer repel water, while a soft, wooly underfur provides insulation to keep them warm. Bulls retain their antlers throughout the winter, only shedding them to regrow new ones in the early spring.

 

Learn More About Smokies Animals

• 

  Mammals

  65 species of mammals call the Smokies home.

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  Wildlife

  Learn about the Smokies diverse wildlife

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  Bears

  The Smokies is bear country, with the densest black bear population in the US