Tag: bison rut

Watch: Bull elk has last laugh after being taunted by motorist

Video footage captured in the Rockies shows why tourists should never taunt an elk, even from inside a vehicle.

The U.S. Department of the Interior last week issued a reminder that the bison rut is underway and urged visitors on public lands to give the massive animals space.

“No matter what time of year, always stay further than 25 yards away!” the agency cautioned. (Click here to witness the astonishing power of bison during a 2020 mating-season skirmish in Yellowstone National Park.)

Since the elk rut follows the bison rut in the Rockies, similar advisories are forthcoming because elk also are strong and unpredictable, and as dangerous as bison.

But, as with bison, bull elk do not need to be in the rut to become agitated, and this is illustrated wonderfully in the accompanying footage, which went viral last year.

As viewers can see, the motorist is taunting the elk through an open window while driving slowly toward the animal on a highway. “Watch out buddy,” the man goads, adding, “You wanna fight?”

The elk responded by plowing its antlers into the vehicle’s left front tire, leaving the motorist with a flat. The clip ends with an expletive issued from his female passenger.

–Generic elk image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Watch: Awesome power on display during Yellowstone bison rut

Dramatic footage showing a bison fight on a Yellowstone highway should remind tourists why the animals should be afforded a wide berth.

The U.S. Department of the Interior on Friday reminded those who visit public lands that the bison rut is underway and that people should be extra careful around the massive animals.

“Male bison are particularly aggressive now, as they congregate in herds to compete, socialize and breed,” the agency explained in a video tweet. “Bulls are on high alert and can get aggravated easily. No matter what time of year, always stay further than 25 yards away!”

For those who wonder just how forceful a male bison can be during the mating season, check out the awesome power on display in the following footage, captured three years ago in Yellowstone National Park.

It shows an angry bison ramming, lifting and propelling another bison 30 feet off the highway.

Male bison can weigh 2,000 pounds, and the animals can run up to 30 mph. They warrant respect at all times, but particularly during the July-August rut.

Yellowstone bison fight shows why rut should be taken seriously

Dramatic footage showing a bison fight on a Yellowstone highway shows why warnings about the iconic animals during mating season should be heeded.

After a tourist was gored by a bison Monday in Yellowstone National Park, visitors were warned that the rut is underway and the animals “can become agitated more quickly.”

To illustrate what an agitated bison looks like, and why warnings should be heeded, we’ve reposted footage shared by the park in August 2020, showing a bison battle on a highway.

Imagine the footage with sound as the dominant bison plows into his rival at full sprint, lifting and shoving him 30 feet off the road.

Yellowstone’s warning at the time:

“Bison mating season is still going on in the park. Male bison are particularly aggressive right now, though all bison and other wildlife can be dangerous.”

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One of the top comments: “My God in heaven! I’ve never seen anything like that before! And to think that back in ’80 I used to creep up close and try to herd them away from my lane with my car when I was in a bison jam! I feel blessed to be alive!”

The bison rut runs from mid-July through much of August.

Bison are the largest land mammals in North America and male bison can weigh 2,000 pounds. Bison can run 35 mph and, as the footage demonstrates, they’re remarkably agile.

The 47-year-old woman who was gored Monday suffered “significant injuries to her chest and abdomen,” the park stated in a news release.

Tourists are cautioned to remain at least 25 yards from bison and, the park said of the rut, “Use extra caution and give them additional space during this time.”