OKLAHOMA CITY (TNS) — One of the best wildlife watching experiences in Oklahoma is a trip to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in September and October to hear bugling elk.
October is the rutting, or mating, season for elk. Beginning in September, the bulls start bugling to establish dominance, attract cows, warn other bulls and announce their readiness to fight.
Take a trip to the refuge at dawn or dusk and there is a great chance you will hear the high-pitched, flutelike call of the bull elks, and a fair chance you might see them as well.
Elk often can be seen just around the refuge headquarters at daybreak. A hike through the public use areas just after sunrise or before sunset also could produce sightings of bull elk. During cool days, the elk remain active until midday.
Check with the visitor’s center to learn areas of the refuge where most sightings occur.
If you are planning a hike, be sure to wear hiking boots and camouflage clothing. Also, be sure to take binoculars, a map and compass, snacks and water.
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge hosts guided “bugling elk tours” for the public in September and October, but all the spots have been reserved. They are always full within hours of becoming available.
However, if you are at the refuge on the day of a guided bus tour, you can check with the visitors’ center to see if any spots might open up. Sometimes people don’t show up, especially for the 6 a.m. tours.
There are between 1,000 and 1,500 elk roaming on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.