September offers best time to view elk herd

By Bees O’Brien

Western Clinton County- The sound of elk bugles and the spectacle of seeing to huge, bruising elk spar is something literally out of a wildlife television show. Those things can easily be seen on a regular basis in Western Clinton County and it has already begun.

The annual elk rut is on and it comes full circle later this month. The rut provides fans of nature the perfect chance to see one of the great wonders of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Bull elk begin to gather their harems and begin the annual breeding ritual. That ritual often times includes fighting off many would be challengers that are looking to claim harems of cow elk as their own. Pennsylvania offers some of the largest bulls in the world, so these battles can end up being massive, epic battles.

The Kettle Creek Valley offers the area’s best chance at seeing these fantastic beasts. Kettle Creek State Park has a well-established population. Where the park meets the village of Leidy has been where most have been seen.

Tamarack, Hammersley Fork and Cross Fork also has a strong elk population.

If you head west on Rout 120 to Keating and continue west towards the Cameron County line and beyond there is a good chance you may see elk.

The elk rut is big business locally and thousands of tourists come through the Renovo area in September to view this once a year spectacle. Elk viewers are reminded to never approach the unpredictable bulls, or any elk for that matter during this time period. Elk tend to be more aggressive and on edge during this period. Remember these are wild animals.

Viewers are also reminded to be cautious while traveling too. Keeping traffic flow at a safe pace and never pull off of the side of the road in an unsafe manner. Avoid parking on private property and potentially damaging a landowner’s ground. Wait until there is a safe, public place to do so.

Keep in mind that elk archery season is in full circle now. It came in on Saturday and runs until September 24. Interfering with a legal elk hunter is illegal and can bring with it serious fines.

During the second week of October the rut begins to fade. Some bulls continue to bugle well into November, but if you want to catch the greatest show on earth do it in September.

So have fun and until next time, be safe out there!