![]() To better understand how to identify and read these tracks, take a field trip to a wild area. You may not actually see an elk, but there are stories to be read in their tracks and the tracks of other animals. They don't know, though, whether the elk were hunted locally, brought back by hunting parties, or obtained through trade with other tribes. They did use bowstrings made of elk sinew that had been extracted and treated. Researchers believe that big game such as deer and elk contributed only a small portion to the diets of Native Americans in the Mid-Columbia. ![]() Early-day explorers, traders, and trappers left little in the way of written records to indicate an abundance of any large game animals, but archaeological excavations from prehistoric Indian camp sites have revealed the presence of elk bones, hide, and teeth, indicating the animals were eaten by native peoples. "It is not clear whether elk ever have been common in the Columbia Basin. Now, some animals are killed each year by hunters on surrounding lands. When the herd size reached about 100 animals, some began to wander outside ALE boundaries. The original handful of elk grew at a rate of 28 percent per year, one of the highest rates ever observed for elk. ![]() Gradually, small groups were sighted near the mouth of Snively Canyon. The only evidence of their presence was their tracks around watering places like Rattlesnake Springs and the sagebrush torn up by bulls as they rubbed velvet from their antlers in the fall. At first, elk restricted their movements to ALE. Scientists thought the elk would leave with the onset of summer, but they stayed and prospered. Conventional wisdom was that the treeless steppe was too hot, too dry, and had too little vegetation to shade or conceal them. When the first elk arrived on ALE, no one thought they would stay. Elk eat almost constantly during the summer, building up fat stores in preparation for winter. An elk's diet consists primarily of grass (thus they are referred to as grazing animals), but they also will consume seedlings and twigs, berries, mushrooms, cattails, and wildflowers. During the day, elk use sagebrush shrubs to conceal themselves and for shade. Because little vegetation exists in the shrub-steppe to hide their movements, they may use darkness as a form of concealment. Elk on ALE spend most of their time in open lowland areas, except during the calving period in April and May. They can live in a variety of habitats as long as they find enough shelter, water, and plenty of space without human interference. In late summer, an elk's coat changes to a brownish-gray color.Įlk spend most of their lives in family groups (females and offspring) that often come to form huge herds of 100 or more during late fall and winter. When calves are born in early June, their coat remains spotted until late summer. Monday ‚Äì Friday.Mature bulls can be identified in herds at a distance of a mile or more because they often are much lighter in color (almost white) in contrast to cows and yearling bulls. ![]() Please include a date, time, age of group, anticipated number of people and contact information when requesting a tour. Sign up for a tour now by emailing or calling 1-86. Watch for the white-tailed deer, turkeys, bald eagles, owls, trout and other wildlife that frequent the property. Those wanting to stretch their legs will enjoy the beautiful, wooded nature trail that winds its way around the 22-acre RMEF property. The Center is open year round and admission is free! The Visitor Center is located at the Foundation headquarters just off of Interstate 90 at the Reserve Street exit. Other highlights include an impressive display of trophy elk mounts and our gift shop featuring Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation clothing and merchandise, wildlife art, calendars, and more. Along the way, you’ll hear elk bugle, test your knowledge of wildlife, identify animal tracks, feel the weight of an elk antler, and enjoy wildlife conservation films. Discover the diverse wildlife that calls elk country home, explore the role they all play in conserving habitat, and connect with the rich heritage that makes the outdoors so important to so many of us. Fun and interactive, their exhibits invite you to learn more about elk, elk country and the role the RMEF plays in conservation. The Visitor Center is more than just a museum it‚ an experience that reveals the beauty, diversity and importance of elk country across North America. Step into Elk Country at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor Center. Find facts, such as the number of acres of elk habitat the RMEF has conserved or enhanced, the number of RMEF members and chapters across the country, and much more. The mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. ![]()
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