By Jo Wurst

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute Assistant

As autumn settles in, one of the most spectacular performances in Rocky Mountain National Park begins. Elk descend from the alpine into montane meadows, where prime bulls display fascinating and majestic mating behavior. With the commencement of the elk rut, locals and visitors alike flood into Rocky in hope of catching a peek.  Will the two bulls spar? Will the smaller satellite bull steal the harem? Did you hear that bugle? Overflowing with anticipation, Rocky fills to the brim with eager onlookers. The rut has begun.

Instead of fighting the traffic this rut season, why not let someone else do the driving? Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from September 8^th through October 15^th, Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute will once again provide their popular ‘Elk Expeditions’. This bus-based seminar gets participants out to admire the elk rut festivities from the comfort of a 14-passenger bus or 12-passenger van. Each tour will have a professional educational guide on board to commentate at the spectacular displays of elk mating behavior. Handle antlers and learn about not only about the rut, but what makes these powerful animals so unique.

To register or for more information on the upcoming Elk Expeditions with Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute, please call (970) 586-3262 or visit: www.rmconservancy.org/events.