"They're babies!" Ever heard so many Elks scream?

Colorado is home to the largest population of elk - about 280,000 animals, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
And when It's mating season for elk in places like Estes Park, it's a common sight to see traffic jams.
The season, which typically lasts until mid-October, is a time when mature bulls drive young bulls from the herd and try to attract the attention of cows to form harems.
Visitors are urged to maintain proper wildlife safety amid the elk mating season, a time also known as the rut.
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[@llew777]

Thumbs up to all drivers who respect these beautiful animals and give them the right of way

[@Susweca5569]

I live on the Olympic peninsula in Western Washington and we've got elk herds here as well. We're living in their territory, not the other way around... but when you live around here you learn how to act appropriately when the herd walks through town. They are huge, wild animals and they can do a lot of damage to a car. You never get out of the car, either. Best to just remain calm and let them go by.

[@llew777]

@@Susweca5569 Agree 1000000 percent, we took their home

[@ara2805]

If a car tried to force it's way through a heard of elk, the car might get through but not unscathed and with thousands of dollars worth of body and glass damage. Bull elk are protective of the heard and cow elk are protective of calves. Antlers and hooves are dangerous weapons when used by an eight hundred to eleven hundred pound elk.

[@martinphilip8998]

Absolutely. I had delicious elk medalions in a Billings restaurant. It wasn’t road kill.

[@CooManTunes]

I would've run them over, then used my gun to blast whomever chased me down for running over the elk.

[@CarolMcGuigan]

Kudos to those who waited for these massive majestic animals migrate. Amazing- thank you

[@-dirk-65]

Nice thought, & of course if necessary, but elk live here all year. No migration.

[@gardy4390]

I don't know why we should praise the people who stopped and let them cross the street. It should be done without any question. Wild animals have the most right to be there .

[@harleyhawk7959]

its not a migration, it's the rut season. bulls round up a harem of does for breeding. other bulls try honing in, the dominant bull has too fight off the rivals.

[@-dirk-65]

@John Smith You should see what one of these bulls does to a Kia, anyway. BETTER WAIT. I once saw a female Cow elk completely trash a pickup at Yellowstone Park by standing on her rear feet & boxing. NO ANTLERS. Guess they should have left the dog home!

[@-dirk-65]

@John Smith Sucks for your family tree. I got archery & rifle tags for both sexes of Elk this year. Freezer is FULL.

[@stacymagnusson5683]

Thank you to all of those who stopped and respected the elk.

[@renn8827]

It might not be respect it might be not wanting to total a car

[@Svensk7119]

Yes. Bull elk are somewhere close in mass to a cow moose.... p'rhaps more than. Very detrimental to automotive well-being.

[@kl4888]

A relative hit an elk, totaled the vehicle, almost cost him his life. So respect, yeah.

[@Svensk7119]

@@kl4888 Helluva a way to hunt elk. Glad your relation survived.

[@m.allard2202]

Beautiful❤ And the "elders" do a good job of protecting their herd!

[@annap7678]

Maybe it’s “elkers”?

[@direstraights]

Crossing Guess!!!

[@direstraights]

Guards*

[@karengiorella2690]

That one elk just casually walking down the street wondering what all the fuss is about had me 😂

[@judy-carolbell314]

Patroling for babes left behind? Reminding humans about his size and what his antlers can do to a car.

[@denisem1080]

Lol

[@robertchamberlain452]

Love it, so many Elk everywhere. Isn`t nature wonderful ? Thanks for sharing.

[@crazyhorse5163]

Have you seen the bison do this in Yellowstone? It is beautiful. These animals are beautiful. I'm so glad America is decided to save the bison. It is a sight that takes your breath away.

[@CooManTunes]

Not as wonderful as cars. That's why they're there, and that's why the elk have to be careful. Stop being such a pathetic, overly sentimental pansy.

[@lisathompson5500]

@@crazyhorse5163 We have to save the bison, they are the best meat for humans to live on...nice and fatty ;) Why the Indians followed them.

[@crazyhorse5163]

@@lisathompson5500 they are already being used for that.

[@Sweetdification]

Yes Agree Must Ensure we Care for Nature as Humans and not 🚫 Destroy it?

[@tlims1974a]

Wow..that is awesome! You can see the elders are in control of the move. Some even wearing collar tracking devices to see the migration patterns. Imagine your the house across the street, hear all the commotion, look out the window and see wall to wall elk! Stunning! ❤I’m in awe 😮!

[@virginiamoss7045]

The elk herds are closely monitored to track chronic wasting disease that is easily spread once it infects just one. The western cattlemen know it's just a matter of time before the disease jumps from deer and elk to cattle so they are trying to catch it quick and keep it from spreading. Each herd has a name and number and known territory. They move across the landscape like a singular giant undulating creature, packed shoulder to shoulder with no interior gaps.

[@harleyhawk7959]

it's not a migration ! it's a rut roundup. assuming is the lamest decision making.

[@virginiamoss7045]

@@harleyhawk7959 Who said anything about migration?

[@SilverScaleMA]

@@harleyhawk7959 they said migration patterns, that can mean anything from how animals move across the world or how they move around their territory. Elk are nomadic, they very rarely stay in one place very long and their range can cover thousands of square miles and often move in large groups from one known feeding ground to another. So basically, elk are constantly migrating and bad things happen when they don't. So either way they were right but definitely in the phrasing they used.

[@allenwinkley9543]

Elk don't scream, they bugle... Screaming comes from pain or pleasure, whichever you're into... Bugling is how they communicate.

[@sunnytheboxer.]

Haha that’s funny and very good to learn thank you for sharing that.

[@allenwinkley9543]

@@sunnytheboxer. Which part ? The screaming or the bugling ??? LOL ... I live in Montana.

[@sgrvtl7183]

thank you! They are beautiful!

[@FoulPet]

Odd since the guy screaming at me after I cut him off in traffic didn't seem in pain or whacking it.

[@allenwinkley9543]

@@FoulPet it was a guy screaming at you... Not an elk...

[@anntrope491]

That's my kind of rush hour traffic jam !! ♡☆♡

[@cricketcustomer2164]

😍 it

[@3023937042]

Oh I would so love to live on that migration path, that is something I would never tire of seeing this ♥️♥️♥️

[@cricketcustomer2164]

@@3023937042 I have some deer across the field where I live and turkeys show up now and then plus we're in the flight way of Canadian geese that's a great sound also!

[@nickhill8612]

@@cricketcustomer2164 I bet it is awesome.

[@nickhill8612]

@@3023937042 That would be great. BTW, I like your name haha

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I lived in Alaska, moose walked around downtown. I live in the NM mountains, and my neighborhood gets deer, mountain lion, coyote, fox walking the streets. Everyone calls the dogs inside. Pretty magical. We have wild horses too. I love living here.

[@savitalochan9959]

Woow...!! You are blessed to live in such beautiful place.. Best Wishes to you.. from the Trinidad West Indies..

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

@@savitalochan9959 must be lovely there, too.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

The wild horse's are my heart. Your lucky. I was raised up on a reservation in Quebec and got to see more wildlife than what people could dream of.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

@@sherrykendrick1765 it is a wonder for sure. I haven't seen the horses yet, but they tromp across my garden leaving their footprints, going 90 to nothing. They are welcome here, I planted grasses in the few clearings uphill. Elk are moving in.

[@XSemperIdem5]

Wild horses? Wow In an area of Southern California we have wild burros. Otherwise in certain areas we have black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and the usual opossums, racoons, and skunks. Oh and there's some neighborhoods with peacocks.

[@birbluv9595]

This is magnificent! The adults, especially the males with the big racks, keep guard over the little ones so they can cross safely!

[@ziggystardust7888]

An USA is destroying there LAND !!! Sad

[@lisathompson5500]

Don't piss them off they will kill you! I know they cute and all, but these animals can be deadly if they feel threaten.

[@aliciacoble7854]

It actually depends, males tend to lose their antlers in the fall after breeding , but they grow back by spring it's females that have their antlers in winter spring

[@jackyflowers3493]

🤗❤️👍

[@alfaq654]

That's...not what's happening here lol.

[@hhall3533]

I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. I’ve been lucky to witness this in my own backyard on a number of occasions. You don’t appreciate how big they are until you step out onto your porch and stare right up into the beautiful brown eyes of one of these gorgeous creatures!

[@mariag.8242]

Great to see drivers having patience and awe rather than road rage over being delayed ❤

[@dianecrumbley90]

Having lived in Colorado for 36 years, I really missed the elk after I moved to north Georgia. Imagine my surprise when my husband and I drove up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park a few weeks ago. There were lots of elk in the pasture! I was so happy to see them thriving there after so long. Thanks for sharing this Colorado video!

[@ShainAndrews]

You never bothered learn their habitat?

[@goatrockhunters8000]

Repatriation of elk within Appalachia began about 20 or so years ago. A buddy of mine worked for the NC DNR told me about it back in 2007. He said the program started in late 90s. I suppose at one time many many years ago elk were in many parts of the eastern woodlands.

[@dianecrumbley90]

@@goatrockhunters8000 I remember reading about this a few years back, but I had no idea the population had grown so much. It was a very pleasant surprise! Thanks for the reply.

[@cherylperry2910]

Don’t be hurting them now! This is beautiful.

[@chasesmith9681]

In Colorado someone would probably hurt you before you hurt an Elk.

[@a.w.thompson4001]

They're beautiful animals. A huge thanks to all the drivers letting them cross the roads.

[@janetsavage5496]

Love it! May this continue for many generations to come.

[@mizb.9170]

Nature comes first above all else ♥️

[@sherrykendrick1765]

I agree.

[@lindamon5101]

Cars then nature

[@lisathompson5500]

@Milk Thistle I'm carnivore and man that a lot of damn steak walking there...LOL

[@laurabartoletti6412]

Cool ! Beautiful Elk ! Grateful for patient people !

[@virginiamoss7045]

Well, except for one fool who went flying through. You're supposed to yield to the elk and deer in Estes Park.

[@moiramccleary]

@@virginiamoss7045 I agree Virginia that fool obviously doesn’t appreciate how awesome these beautiful animals are and what an opportunity to see them

[@karengiorella2690]

There was that one a hole. But yes. That was nice to see.

[@Tom-ym7bm]

King of the road 😂

[@lisathompson5500]

@@moiramccleary actually that may not be it, he probably thinking great another winter on I40 with 200 to 300 dead elk on it. It disgusting to see each winter, but it happens all the time here. Mirrors on cars and trucks going by on I 40 kill them, and some years not so bad, but couple years ago I must of counted close to 1000 dead elk on the side of the roads here. We need more hunters to thin the herds. It's not cruel, it actually better for the herds, keeps them from starving to death. Reason why they trying to cross I 40 for food in the winter,.

[@mabelbradley6604]

this is what happens when you take away their land. I live in Co, and I've been to all these places.Even in the metro area Denver u will see bears, deer, all kinds of animals. They need their space too. This time of year you see this, just enjoy the amazing view of nature.

[@leanne2698]

Yep! They were here before us😊

[@dorothynelson8620]

@LGB FJB U.S. still think they r so PURE. "Stolen land" Please don't mention the damn treaties.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

@LGB FJB it was theirs 1st.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

@LGB FJB geez. What a comment, chief cries to myself, How old are you? 12?

[@davidmore190]

@Mabel Bradley Where did you move to Colorado from and when?

[@ronward3949]

Having once seen a cow elk give birth, I also witnessed how protective its mother was when approached by another female, calf still freshly born, her mother staved off this other cow's curiosity or interest to protect her own moments of bonding, nurturing, cleaning the young, and licking it dry.

[@jillcampbell8019]

Absolutely love this!!! Majestic creatures! And, very much social with one another. Noticed the males protecting the females and all the youngsters. Making sure all were moving together. Beautifully amazing.

[@cindymadden3171]

What a sight to see! Beautiful !

[@kathynj6479]

This is wonderful. 🙏😍😍 They seem to be calling to each other - making sure everyone is there.

[@cierakitty]

I was lucky enough two years ago to have a large herd come right in front of the car,,,,,and I loved it all. I turned the car off and watched them pass by, and the little ones were so cute. The bulls made sure everyone stayed together, constant communication from start to the very last one. Then when all gathered on the other side...off they went.

[@DancingL704]

It’s beautiful to see the respect and patience from everyone for those exquisite animals

[@marjoriegarner5369]

Loretta, it's "patience" not patients. Patients are in hospitals. Sometimes they're patient, sometimes they're not.

[@oliviabb73849]

Amazing; beautiful. Trying not to judge the blue car ……..sigh.

[@mikeg4247]

probably had to be some where, and has seen it all before

[@moxievintage1390]

Right????? 😂

[@jjn6914]

I would just turn off my engine and watch these majestic, beautiful creatures pass through regardless of my schedule. Sometimes you just gotta slow down or stop and appreciate being in the moment. "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu

[@gigiis526]

Genesis 1:The Sixth Day …24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”…

[@noblevictory2200]

Was in Estes Park two weekends in a row. 😊 🦌 They're everywhere! 👍

[@melindahall5062]

When I lived in Genesee, off of I-70 it was not uncommon to find 50+ elk in my driveway every morning. It made getting the kids to school problematic. I just had to sneak out and drive through the herd very slowly…they always moved. They are magnificent animals…HUGE!

[@laurencaulton103]

Love the strutting of the guys with giant antlers.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

I think they are in rut.

[@marjoriegarner5369]

@@sherrykendrick1765 no, they're migrating.

[@stevenwinterhill3623]

They've been here for thousands of years, it's THEIR home people..☺️

[@soltantio]

Millions of years

[@dls951]

And they taste great!

[@gigiis526]

@@soltantio He had it right!

[@rhondacartee4302]

The plural of elk is elk, not elks as the title says. And I love to hear the little ones mewling! 🥰

[@Straightahead101]

I agree, these people are fuckin idiots

[@pamelanovelli1239]

I did not know this interesting thank u ;)

[@tcwd3760]

Thank you so much! Love how they're so calm, watching everyone. At the end "OK everyone follow me"

[@spar53]

Thank you all for taking care of these animals❤

[@chichitex1252]

What a beautiful sight!!❤❤❤

[@cricketlovely8541]

What a beautiful sight to behold. ☺️

[@LittleLulubee]

Beautiful creatures ❤❤❤ I’ve seen herds of them on the road, in Northern California 😊

[@cheryleddy5677]

When I lived in Estes Park, we called this the local traffic jam. They are lovely to look at and even more entertaining when tourists try to get close to them thinking they can let them..lol. During mating season and right before winter they can be fierce and unpredictable.

[@caseroj6020]

I love Wapiti!!!!! I wish I lived in Colorado so I could have those encounters with them. What a cool animal!!!

[@ginagina5452]

They're trying to find the Elk lodge.

[@patroberts5449]

Best reply ever! Maybe they could stop by the Moose Lodge and ask for directions😂

[@lovinglife6080]

Thats so beautiful to see and hear man that's alot of Elk

[@MoneyStrategiesSOULutions]

That obnoxious blue car with no respect...

[@jodyariewitz7349]

What an awesome a moment....thanks for sharing!!🥰❤👌👍Big Respect to all the patient drivers who simply enjoyed taking a moment to appreciate these gorgeous animals we're SHARING the planet with!!!👏✌❤

[@Blondie727]

Lol. That one at the end.😅 He’s taking his good ole time.

[@lauradawson7737]

Thank you for sharing. Made my day even better than it was before.

[@karenwydra5059]

Always awed by these type of nature shots!

[@AlexEs63]

😭🙏❤ Thank you! Remarkable to hear how unusually beautiful.

[@judykaymacgreagor4422]

This is a beautiful fantastic video. I have never seen an elk. I am very impressed on the bucks showing such security in escorting and protecting herd from us. Sounds like great communication skills being applied. Sorry that humans are in their way.

[@robinmorrow9023]

It’s so beautiful to see the Bulls waiting to be sure all have crossed safely!

[@BurtW546]

People respect the animals ♥️🥰🙏😇

[@cindymcgrath4500]

Always have loved Elk!

[@maryallen2317]

What a beautiful 😍 💖 site. And so many.

[@gigiturcotte4345]

Nature ! So beautifull ! Blessings to all who has the respect to give them the space we took from them ! Thank you for this great video !

[@melissavillanueva3822]

Nature is so mystical. We should never take it for granted.

[@drone_boss]

I have friends there and always “enjoy” the bone heads taking pictures! Every once in a while, a brave soul gets a visit from the Elk. Priceless!

[@brendacook4067]

We saw this in Estes Park several years ago! It’s such an awesome sight!

[@haroldrull4943]

I lived in Nevada , cycling along highway 159 at Blue Diamond town, always encounter Burros on the street and they’re just hangin in there watching us passing by. Beautiful to see them😮😮😮

[@pinchebruha405]

Such a blessing to witness nature, so beautiful

[@equinoxproject2284]

Surprisingly that noise is made while they are inhaling.

[@rhondacartee4302]

And made only by the males 😄

[@greenhometony]

@@rhondacartee4302 there are male and female sounds....

[@lorisharpe]

Love this , love Estes… need to see this before I leave this life ❤️

[@lorengordon9626]

Bulls , cows and yearlings. Love hearing the bulls bugle and the cows whinnie.

[@NotThatBob]

This is amazing to see. Also notice how healthy these wonderful animals are. Love it.

[@chrismoyer7778]

The only thing people stop at a green light for 🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃

[@Eva-li2pe]

Absolutely beautiful to be able to witness nature Ata it’s best!

[@MoosicandCritters]

Beautiful and so precious ♥️

[@catherineblack2970]

This is mating season... October and November. So they will move in droving herds like that with the males calling loudly.

[@minkieamoroso713]

What a beautiful sight and sound. There is nothing more beautiful than to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. And it was so nice to see how much respect people have for them. Thank you for sharing this video and so glad it popped up. Living in NYC, the only way to enjoy most of nature is KZbin.

[@ameliafroehlich2577]

What an amazing sight that must be in person. Beautiful animals.

[@kirkkirkland7244]

That one bull elk that walked right by the car was just magnificent!!!!

[@suni2421]

What a beautiful site! ! Thanks for sharing

[@lindaleelaw5277]

Bugling.... to find a mate It's a sight to behold

[@karendegeyter2937]

Wonderful love the sounds Elk makes. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@wildlyunrulyadventures3942]

Extraordinary. Beautiful majestic creatures. A true symbol of wilderness.

[@rickallman1318]

Yeah big beautiful animals!, Except during rutting season! There have been Bull Elk that have charged full loaded bigrigs putting them in the ditch on their sides! The truck ends up totalled with driver, if seat belted getting just bumps and bruises! The Elk gets up and runs off into the brush! Gotta love and respect these huge critters and give them their space! Both No lol and lol!❤️

[@sarahdee374]

and the smart, sensible humans stayed in their cars!!

[@MH-pz8wf]

Beautiful sounds/screams. One of wonder of Nature!

[@inspiringtone2975]

Precious. Share the road. Love to see this such a treat. Drivers thank you for sharing the road so patiently.

[@markive9907]

Seems like they are rutting late ,unless this is about 3 weeks old ? But I do hear elk bugling in Nov from time to time ❤️👍

[@cherrlyn381]

Awesome.

[@Grandma7T7]

They all watch out for each other to cross! They are beautiful, just what I would love to see in the parks. Amazing. Thank you for this video.

[@sugarmuffin319]

They all look SO relaxed!

[@pbkid01]

It’s ELK…. Not Elks….. You wouldn’t say Chineses

[@jobob47]

how cool

[@JesseJamesGames1]

They’re magnificent ❤

[@allegra9967]

Such beautiful sounds of them

[@kennethbarber8696]

Elks Elementry School on a Field trip.

[@susanbrown2578]

Wow!

[@lakewrites]

This is phenomenal! So thankful that these drivers are so cautious and respectful. I’m sure myriad were late for work and appointments.

[@melissawarfield]

Amazing and awesome 😁. I love the elk jam 💕. Beautiful elk 😍. I'd be in heaven seeing so many elk. Thank you to all the driver's who patiently waited.

[@corinaelizondo515]

Amazing

[@ge2623]

I like when Elks scream. Also Mooses and fishes.

[@peterdallman4550]

And mices little squeaks,oh and the deers too.

[@ge2623]

@@peterdallman4550 👍

[@sherrykendrick1765]

Elk don't scream. It's just moose and fish plural.

[@marjoriegarner5369]

GE, elk, not elks. Bugle, not scream.

[@marjoriegarner5369]

@@peterdallman4550 deer, not deers.

[@lauriefrancisco1084]

It's on my bucket list to take a trip to Estes Park to see the elk when they take the place over. I've never seen one. And I believe that's called a "bugle" not a "scream." But they're so beautiful and I love Mother Nature in all her glory!

[@cynthusinfinite]

Ahh no horns blaring no yelling just calm patience (mostly) while elk crossing. How incredible to witness. So majestic and how about those racks!! 😁

[@lynettedundon1410]

Quite a herd.

[@elladoz1966]

Live and let live 😳🙂✌️

[@maryjomorra2865]

I used to live in Estes Park Colorado about 25 years ago.. It was a beautiful place back then not so many people and so much traffic which has wrecked everything anymore.. That herd used to be twice as big and when you live there they walk all over the neighborhoods and lay down you'll have patches of have about 20 laying around your yard for days.. It's so fun to watch them playing in the rivers.. You also have mountain lions walking through your yard too.. There was a mountain lion up in a tree downtown one year.. someone walking their dog spotted it and they came and tranquilized it, not very well because it did manage to run off into the woods.. Estes Park was a magical gorgeous Place back then💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@JB-js4xi]

Wow ...what a noise! That's amazing

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

Mr. Big certainly enjoys struttin' his stuff!

[@robertwhite9467]

Seem like poor animals don't have no place to live without people messing with them

[@mikedared5969]

Yeah,geniuses like Amante

[@Shinuchiha_99]

They chose to stay in populated areas because they get shot at on private land and in different hunting units.. they aren’t dumb by no means..

[@marjoriegarner5369]

yes.