Massive Herd of Elk Crossing HWY 237 in Eastern Oregon - December 2022

Elk crossing the Cove Highway in December of 2022.
Video taken by Tami Gugin

[@swavekbu4959]

Wow, I never realized they travel in such huge numbers. Amazing.

[@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk]

They're probably going to new feeding grounds

[@michaelbosisto6259]

Before the commercial hunting and mass farming days, the elk roamed the plains in large numbers, well into the millions.

[@redbarchetta8782]

They used to be a lot bigger a hundred years ago.

[@EcouragingGodStories]

Counted at least 24 bulls. Lived in Eastern Oregon until age 18. Never saw this many elk bunched up - EVER. Amazing footage. Thanks a TON for uploading.

[@christhornton1785]

Cool. There is an Elk refuge just outside of Jackson, Wyoming where as many as 15 thousand or more congregate during the winter cause they're fed there. It's amazing to see so many together.

[@user-ht5di5cl1j]

Been in Jackson in winter and it's quite a site to see

[@roefamily]

Why is there an Elk refuge?...because the Elk have nowhere to go...the wealthiest county in the USA blocked them via private land.....Wealthiest county in the entire USA

[@paulalim1476]

@@roefamilyReally? Loudon County Virginia won’t allow elk so they shipped them to the Elk Refuge? Who knew?

[@pjsparks3810]

Perhaps Oregon and Wyoming is where all the Yellowstone elk have gone. 😊

[@christhornton1785]

@pammyrick-sparks3134 Since 96% of Yellowstone is in Wyoming, it stands to reason that the yellowstone elk are indeed mostly in Wyoming.

[@oregonrain4249]

Wow.... never seen a herd that large here before. Impressive! 👍

[@lindyc.2552]

WOW! So glad that I just stumbled across this video! Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! I can't imagine how thrilling that was to see in person! I cannot believe how many animals were in that herd...just incredible! It made me reflect too, on how once great bison herds used to roam the west en mass just like these elk. Heartbreaking, the wicked senseless slaughter of the plains buffalo. But, so happy to see elk thriving! What a treat you got to see! Thank you so much for sharing it!!!! Beautiful country out there too! It was beautiful and I really enjoyed it! 😊

[@jayjaychadoy9226]

Métis, Dene, and other tribes are bringing back the buffalo.

[@lindyc.2552]

@@jayjaychadoy9226 I am very happy to know know that! They are MAGNIFICENT animals...one of my favorite wild animals!🦬🦬🦬

[@Hyper_Driven]

Glad to see this still exists.

[@marksweat7167]

Elk populations are very healthy. There's more in the US than there was in 1850. Same with deer.

[@690_5]

The most I've ever seen was a group of 20. But let me tell you, a full rack Bull stepping out of the fog and into the path of your Western Star wakes you up better than Coffee ever would.

[@r.maxwell233]

I read stories, hand written reports from settler's, notes from trapper's before 1850 about huge uncountable herd's of elk that roamed N America. Herd's that dwarfed the massive buffalo herd's that themselves took 2 day's to pass by. Wagon's stranded. The elk so dense settler's would move parallel to the herd just to keep moving. History only speaks of the Buffalo but the Elk far out numbered them. So good to see they've recovered .

[@robertovillarreal8602]

I have never seen something like this ever documented"not on nature shows news clips or the like .. SIMPLY AMAZING

[@dennisluz6453]

Looks like the entire elk herd of Jackson, WY elk refuge was transported here. I wonder the location.

[@leftfieldthinker]

​@@dennisluz6453 ------- Eastern Oregon in the valley between LaGrande and Cove surrounded by the Blue Mountains. There is a US Forest Service, Blue Mountains Elk Initiative that studies the 55,000 elk in the 19,000 acre area.

[@kradius2169]

Thank you for sharing. Such a majestic animal. Came across one suddenly when hiking the Wolf Creek area in northern Yellowstone. Big male with big antlers, was almost out of sight, way up a hill before I could get my camera out ... glad he didn't come after me, I had just crested a small hill in a large clearing, no trees, no rocks nuttin'.

[@IvoryS2012]

This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@traveling.down.the.road56]

Wonderful to see an elk herd that large in today’s modern America.

[@carbonking53]

There's still a lot of America that is wide open spaces, thankfully.

[@muttsdisorder01]

Thank you for capturing that. Beautiful.

[@ducksamok1716]

Wow!! That is amazing, such a huge gang!! They’re so majestic!

[@jannyoakley6514]

This is my home town!!! Thank you for sharing g what these elk have to do just to cross the valley and why I hate barbed wire.. but I'm happy to see that basically they are making it!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@jwdundon]

Isn't December a little late to be migrating? Where you think they are going?

[@leftfieldthinker]

​@@jwdundon-------.From their location and direction either to Mt. Fanny on the right or Mr. Emily on the left. Or just to another field to eat and settle in for the night. There's a stream not far from where they are too.

[@tomallen5837]

Beautiful. I sure hope the rest of the herd kept going. Something made them stop. Obviously human, but hopefully, the rest kept going.... I'm assuming they would. Thank you so much for taking the time to upload this video... Breathtaking

[@user-ki4ks2wj1x]

People used to think I was making up stories when I told about a similar herd of elk stampeding through our back acreage in 1973 when I lived in Summerville, Oregon (End Road/Mink Lane)

[@sjepson100]

the story was still around when I moved to Imbler in 1976

[@mjremy2605]

My god! That was incredible to watch, mesmerizing. It was so natural with no music, just the wind howling in that open land and the incessant drumbeats of hooves. A gigantic herd! Such a joy to watch. Thank you for this beautiful footage.

[@trippinoutdoors]

We've got some of the best outdoors and wildlife anywhere on earth! Love our state for that!

[@AnnSwanson-xu6wd]

W😮W ! ! This is some awesome Elk migration video. Thanks so much for sharing this w/us David Frost.

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

Wow, I had a big herd cross in front of me out in the sticks of Central Oregon, but it wasn’t near as massive as this!

[@o2bnob]

I have never seen so many at one time together! Awesome! I saw a large herd of reindeer once in the Alaska, but not that many

[@TonyMarselle]

Caribou, I don’t think they got reindeer up there

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Never knew they traveled around in herds THAT large.

[@romygime5822]

That is good to see that some drivers respect animals. ❤

[@huskeyfosterfail4980]

Wow! This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

[@isabellavalencia8026]

Ive never seen such a large herd....amazing!!!

[@SR-ex3oj]

I geeked out put in slow mode and counted the best I can tell that around 500 to 600

[@mikefinn]

Thanks for your effort. I had hoped someone had tried that, so I didn't have to try.

[@edward5979]

Some years back as I was passing through a small town in Colorado, a few came into town, then 10+ and then a massive heard took over the town. I was stopped, one came right up to my window and slowly went around me, it was surreal.

[@paullittle7084]

Thank you this is something I’d probably never see in person

[@gregoryprouty4872]

Absolutely 💯 beautiful to see wildlife flourishing in the wild!!

[@emergencyfood3568]

Indeed. Too bad the landscape is marred by eyesores known as fences. Those picturesque postcard scenes of wide open fields as far as the eye can see are gone. Sure is interesting how humans think they're entitled to divide, conquer, and steal all the land they like from animals. The earth beneath one's feet is meant to be shared by all lifeforms, not hoarded by a singular one.

[@gregoryprouty4872]

Thank you for your response. I was not aware of the situation and I totally 👍 agree with you.

[@gregoryprouty4872]

A word I forgot to use about the fence situation is GREED among wealthy landowners.

[@leftfieldthinker]

​@@emergencyfood3568-------- This is Eastern Oregon between LaGrande and Cove. These generational ranchers are barely making it and selling off to survive. These folks are not the Duttons on Yellowstone. The elk are crossing a two lane road surrounded by ranches. They jumped fences to get here and they will jump more to get to the lower slope of Mt. Fanny to the right and Mt. Emily to the left. They know the roads as well as the locals if they cared to use them. These are the Blue Mountains and the US Forest Service has a Blue Mountains Elk Initiative that studies the 55,000 elk in the area. If herds have low numbers, if the herds are sick, they find out why. If the herds aren't getting enough food in winter, they are fed. There are thousands of acres of forest land with numerous rivers and streams for them to live their lives without wanting for much of anything.

[@leftfieldthinker]

​@@gregoryprouty4872------- These ranchers are NOT greedy. They can barely afford to fix those fences, pay their property taxes, or buy a new cowboy hat. The folks in this valley are the proverbial salt of the earth (except for those few rotten apples). They think backwards about some stuff, but they are good ol' boys that help you just because you asked.

[@paulhomsy2751]

First the cows, calves and yearling bulls and a few two and three year olds, then the large bulls will come down the mountain and join the heard. superb video, what a sight !!

[@KHORIEDAWN]

Impressive... I would gladly sit in the road and watch this for as long as I could ...

[@oakoak-givens]

One of the most amazing things I have ever seen.

[@melodygreen5029]

Wow, the amount of dirt that they move is amazing.

[@rolandsmith4394]

Greater Idaho. This area should not be in Portland's jurisdiction.

[@leftfieldthinker]

No stinking way. Oregon is Oregon, politics be damned. If I wanted to live in Idaho, well, I don't want to live in Idaho.

[@tammyburke2822]

beautiful. thanks for sharing, it gives one hope of natural survival.

[@thomasmeade5649]

Amazing footage of a majestic creature. I miss seeing elk. Florida has very few!!

[@bloqk16]

Agree on Elk being majestic. While I have issues with deer, Elk are four-legged animals that I respect.

[@clayjones9907]

Florida has Elk? Too Hot.😮

[@thomasmeade5649]

Correct. Florida has the Elks lodge. Thats as close as it gets!

[@deborahwade2641]

A very beautiful sight. It's wonderful there are so many.

[@reddy3400]

Thank you❤

[@AC-li2pj]

there’s something so calming to me about elk. they’re fascinating beautiful creatures. i just love them and i love seeing a healthy population

[@johngulino2651]

All this country, it was their land first. They belong here. They are part of the land. ❤️😍🥰

[@wendytravis6427]

What? And people don’t be long on land because they were here first? We are not from mars. We are naturally occurring animals on earth same as the elk. We have just as much right to the land as they do.

[@markmillers4491]

​@@wendytravis6427you only speak for normal people😊. Thankyou

[@bloqk16]

Congrats with appreciation to the camera operator with recording the event in wide-screen. It gets annoying when a unique event was recorded with the smartphone in the vertical position with its narrow view, when all the user had to do is rotate the smartphone 90 degrees to get the widescreen scope of the event.

[@superdill6665]

Where in east Oregon is this? Edit: Never mind, I found it in the description. I grew up in Harney and Wallowa counties. Even for someone like me who was surrounded by wildlife my whole life, this is an unbelievable privilege to see a herd this size. Thanks for sharing.

[@timkis64]

i wouldve never dreamed there could be that many in one herd.they obviously have no mating problems.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

Oh my God, I wish I was there!! How beautiful.....❤❤❤...

[@sept2197]

❤❤❤thank you for filming that was so awesome

[@mlitzinger1398]

Woow! Thank you for sharing the beauty

[@user-ie8bz7jz2r]

They ARE impressive as the lady said, so beautiful to see and in such large numbers. Animals are awesome! Thanks for the video.

[@sbmartinbergeron396]

it is a privilege to see that live. It is impressive indeed.

[@user-ci8yx6ov6s]

Amazing video thanks Gabe Huntsville, Alabama

[@MsPoetsAngel]

Is the large herd a usual behavior ? I've never seen this before... beautiful

[@mkcl9073]

Wow. So cool you caught this. This must be the Mt Emily unit

[@cjacob9875]

Amazing to watch and hear there voices!!!

[@rayspencer8872]

A great place to look for Dropped Sheads. 😊😊😊

[@carbonking53]

Looks like they need a wildlife underpass bridge in that area to provide safety for the wildlife and drivers. Many states have installed them in known migration corridors.

[@leftfieldthinker]

This is a two lane road surrounded by ranches. The elk jump over lots of fencing just to get here and will jump over lots more on their way from the flat of the valley to the lower slope of Mt. Fanny if they go right or Mt. Emily if they go left. My guess is they are going to another field for the night. There is a stream not to far from where they are in this video.

[@armysenior1780]

Daaaamn! Don't fence me in bro. What a beautiful sight. 😮❤

[@michaelpegoda7482]

To correct my mistake Elkton is in the western side of Oregon I'm sorry I stated it like that but it is still a very beautiful place to see and all of the elk they have a refuge there and at any time you might see 5 - 10000 elk at a time it is a very awesome thing to see

[@leftfieldthinker]

This is in the Grande Ronde Valley between LaGrande and Cove. If they go right, they head to Mt. Fanny. If they go left, the head to Mt. Emily.

[@InTheGarden1960]

Thanks for posting. I live in La Grande Biggest herd I've seen in some time.❤❤❤

[@sharonstuhlmiller1757]

Had you not shown this, I never would have seen it. Wow many thanks!

[@joanbyrne1879]

It’s wonderful to see so many together!

[@brianwideman2342]

Thanks for sharing that was amazing to watch.

[@Trevor-Belmont]

Spike @ 1:30 was moving! I think that might be a new world record.

[@jennifersnipes4177]

This is amazing! Awesome video!

[@karenfischbach5669]

If these elk regularly migrate, then accommodations should be made to allow them to do so more safely. They keep catching the fence, pulling up a fallen post, which must cause at least some of the animals to be injured. Why isn't there an opening to allow the elk safe passage?

[@ricksmith4736]

Well then Karen, take out your checkbook and get it done....

[@bonniegirl5138]

They don't always use the exact same spot to cross the road. Why do I know because they break down the fence in multiple spots.

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

WOW.. That's impressive. A couple of months ago when I was going up Hwy 191 in Montana and north of the Grand Teton national park and South of Yellowstone.. I came up about 100 or so Elk crossing the highway..

[@SaraAC-ki1gr]

SO BUILD A CROSSING GUYS😁👍BEAUTIFUL...

[@leftfieldthinker]

This is a two lane road across a flat valley between LaGrande and Cove. This is a ranching area mostly. The elk jumped a bunch of fences to get here and they will jump a bunch more getting to the lower slope of Mt. Fanny on the right and Mt. Emily on the left. These elk know the roads as well as the locals if they cared to use them. There is a US Forest Service Blue Mountains Elk Initiative in this area and studies have been going on for 25 years with 55,000 elk in the area.

[@MJM-72]

Beautiful!

[@gtrpkr2487]

That’s a lot of elk. I had a herd cross in front of me in Colorado. Not nearly as many, but still pretty cool.

[@loriminnesota]

This is very cool! I was once driving through South Dakota and a huge herd of Pronghorn ran across the road in front of us. We sat there forever as they were spread out and yeah...I just wanted to watch. Very desolate area, and they seemed to just come out of nowhere, but very amazing to see that.

[@kathrynsinclare8459]

Amazing! So good to see and know their around. Lovely! 😊

[@johnstephenson7620]

Beauty and Grace ❤

[@josegamez3220]

NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL. LETS DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PLANET, WE ARE LIKE TERMITES, LITTLE BY LITTLE EE ARE DESTROYING IT. That’s My HUMBLE OPINION.

[@reddy3400]

Humanity is being crushed by the non believers running the world for centuries. Congratulations.

[@roefamily]

Oregon was kind enough to give us (Colorado) some wolves (Wyoning, Utah, Montana, Washington all refuseed) So now the Elk can be killed by Wolves. OK, but Elk provide the money via hunting License fees...and these moneys are used for all animals....When a Wolf kills sheep or cattle who pays the rancher for the damage...hunters..via license fees from the dept. of natural resources. Who owns wild animals...the state...who owns the land the wild animals live on..mostly Forest Service...does the forest service get any moneys from license fees (NO) Where does forest service get money...grazing fees and timber sales (cutting down trees) OH OH. The winter of 2022 in NW Colorado 40% of the Elk herd died (all calves) from deep/hard snow...and wolves are coming (there)..to kill.

[@user-ui9jo5dj3c]

Какое счастье их видеть живыми

[@barbaratillman8552]

Great video, thx for sharing. I lived in WA State in the 80's and would see large elk herds now and then but nothing like this. Not only are elk beautiful, majestic animals, they also taste great: a nice elk steak with Texas toast and a side salad. Sign me up. The only thing better is buffalo

[@gailmckay5551]

I like elk much better.

[@brianwalker1386]

What a beautiful site

[@marysketch4772]

I really didn't know there were such large number of wild animals in the States, or Oregon at least.

[@deannelson9565]

The United States is where many of the conservation programs begin. Most Wildlife species ike deer, elk turkeys and many more have higher populations now then ever before.

[@ponyrang]

Enjoyed watching this video my friend Really awesome views Thank you Stay connected

[@woodrowcall3269]

Enjoyed the video, but came here to read all the information from all the experts. Both the educated and uneducated ones alike.

[@NormanSilv]

I frequently drove Hwy 95 and north of Jordan Valley would see Elk herd's qued near the Highway awaitng the move by the herd leader.

[@k1k2lee]

Wow that is super cool absolutely great to see so beautiful

[@marymccluer1630]

That's the biggest elk herd I've ever seen! Massive!

[@johnl2727]

An amazing sight. Thanks!

[@sallykirby4907]

That must be the entire population of elk in the US! UNBELIEVABLE! ❤❤

[@jaymyers9396]

May God bless the American Serengeti!

[@jemhadar5029]

Wow amazing. Never knew herds that big in Oregon. I hit an elk I. My semi truck going about 45-50 mpg. It jus bounced off the truck onto side of road and stood there looking at me.

[@stephenolson532]

Thank you for posting that it was amazing to see 🤗

[@rudymontalvo2002]

That was an awesome site to see ❤

[@johnfink69]

WTF is up with the fence! Leave controlled crossings without the pain. A beautiful sight, thank you🦌

[@user-iv7ve4ry8x]

This comforts me😊

[@deborahgrantham7387]

They’re trying to move East away from the coast of Oregon too. Smart animals.

[@jwdundon]

You think they are heading to the Snake River? (Isn't December a little late to migrate)?

[@leftfieldthinker]

​@@jwdundon They are in the Grande Ronde Valley between LaGrande and Cove. If they go right, they're headed to Mt. Fanny. If they go left, they're headed to Mt. Emily.

[@pamkriner5945]

That is so nice to see! Thanks for sharing.

[@sandymartin642]

🦌....🚐.... I spotted that white car at 02:10 and I'm like..."Come on, come on, Hurry you gotta see this.......yesssss when he made it🤣🤣

[@fredhoy6697]

I've seen a herd of 50 or so in central Washington (Cle Elum) and though that was a lot. This is mind boggling. It makes one wonder what the great herds of bison were like or even the sun blocking flocks of Passenger pigeons.

[@roberthodge2771]

You sure a BLM helicopter was not herding them? They have been seen doing just that in northeast Oregon; onto a ranch that gives Guided Elk Hunts inside the ranch.

[@sarastilson8669]

We have a herd here. They are so beautiful

[@robertshrewsbury5067]

Whomever tried to engineer fencing to survive crossing animals could not have anticipated the sheer volume here.

[@ANTLERMANYT]

That's a lot of elk ! 😯

[@CaptainAmaziiing]

I once saw about 20 elk in one herd here in the PNW and thought it was pretty big....

[@davidkubasiak9093]

Extremely cool to watch them.