Bugling begins in Boxley Valley's 2014 elk rut

This morning the herd bull down by Smith Creek began bugling in response to a shag bull that was hanging around. I am sure this has been going on for a few days.  Boxley Valley had about 70 elk between 2 herds and a few stragglers. Be on the lookout for roadside animals in the south valley area.

September 2014 Elk Location Map

groups.  Viewing was good early, and later the herds bedded down in the fields in overcast, cool weather. The peak of the rut is ahead. Usually the biggest bulls arrive around October 1 as more cow elk go into heat.

12/28/13 Elk Herd Location Map

Very good elk viewing this morning. The biggest herd was down by Smith Creek in the south end, numbering roughly 50 animals and still showing a rutting pattern with a herd bull.

North of the mill pond about a half mile was a pretty good sized bull herd. To see them I recommend getting to the valley early, they seem to leave before 9 am.

A handful of young bulls were up by the Ponca Access.

12/26/13 Herd Locations -- Elk Viewing Very Good

2 elk herds today, one in the first Ponca Field, a second down by Beech Creek. Yesterdays all-bull herds took this morning off, but they could not be too far away. The 2013 elk rut continues at the absolute bitter end. There seems to be at least one bull that hangs on this late. Any calves bred now will be born August or even September. If you pay attention, you will see very tiny calves during the rut now and then.

Bald eagle this morning at the mill pond.

12/25/13 Elk Herd Locations in Boxley Valley

There were 2 small bull herds and 1 small cow herd in Boxley Valley this Christmas morning.  All together there were maybe 30 elk in 3 locations. 

Merry Christmas everyone and best wishes for 2014. 

12/02/13 Elk Herd Map & Report

Not much going on this morning.  There was an all-cow herd down by Beech Creek and some scattered bulls elsewhere. The herd in the Ponca Access field moved into cover again. Perhaps it will return tonight or tomorrow.

The next couple of days the weather will be very good for outside activities. This morning was very foggy.

12/01/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

December is getting off to a good start with an elk herd returning to the Ponca Access field. There was a pretty good crowd this morning, maybe 20 cars that got a good look at this herd for the couple of hours I was down there. Lots of bugling for this late in the season. This herd is still in the rut pattern.

Elsewhere in the valley there were some stray bulls.

11/30/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

The Ponca field was empty this morning, but elk showed up in the lower valley area, and the all bull herd moved a bit north.  They left pretty early.

Conditions remain pretty dynamic. Gun season ends this weekend and hunters are making one more push. Next week things will be more settled, colder and perhaps more typical of this time of year.

11/29/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Elk viewing was good this morning in the north end of Boxley Valley.  Many cars observed the herd near the Ponca Access.  Down the valley there were stray bulls but nothing much else to report.

Absolutely great hiking weather. The trailheads are loaded with the cars of hikers and some deer hunters at the end of modern gun season.  Orange up if you hike.

11/27/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report -- Elk Viewing Very Good

After a few day break due to pretty lousy weather, the elk were out today in force. I saw 4 herds this morning, 2 herds still in a rutting pattern, an all cow herd, and an all bull herd.  The elk are concentrated in the south end from just north of the mill pond to the Smith Creek field.

I expect this pattern to hold for a few days.

11/20/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Nothing to report this morning. No elk herds, and I only saw one elk the length of Boxley Valley. Gun season is still on and things are dynamic. Possible rain tonight and tomorrow could change things. This weekend's weather is predicted to be quite cold and sunny. This could change the viewing significantly.

11/19/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

The biggest bull herd in the valley showed up this morning, and there were no other herds. It is headed by Godzilla. Some of the past herd bulls are now satellites, and they seem headed to create an all-bull herd. There was pretty good bugling for November.

Whitetail deer are still running everywhere. If you visit, be alert for them.

11/15/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

As I mentioned yesterday, poor viewing conditions could turn on a dime in modern gun season. That is exactly what happened.

The big news is a large herd that showed up this morning. I would say it is the largest I have seen this year and it is being led by Godzilla, one of the huge bulls. They are in the 43/21 field. My guess is that they were moved in by deer hunters. Another small herd was in the field just south of the elk pullout this morning.

Expect herds to move around a lot during whitetail gun season. The best course is to check the whole valley during this time. We are also in a weather change and that impacts the movements.

Watch out for whitetail deer, they are running everywhere now.

11/14/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

The elk herds took a day off today, at least this morning. In contrast there were quite a few bulls at the roadside in the middle valley. These viewing conditions will turn on a dime so if you visit make sure you look at the whole valley.

11/13/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

A pretty good morning today for elk watching and photography. With the colder weather there were few photographers and watchers.  The best shooting and viewing was early when the elk were closer to the fence.  JYD put on a pretty good show romping around close to the fence.

Good landscape weather too. Water-based compositions now have morning fog as an element. There are still plenty of colored leaves as well.

11/10/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report -- Viewing Improves

As I suggested yesterday, sometimes modern rifle deer season drives elk into the pastures for improved viewing. This morning's viewing would seem to support that idea. (Remember to watch out for deer for the next 2 weeks, they are running everywhere.)

Elk viewing was pretty good until about 7:30 CDT, which tracks right along with 8:30 CT. This time has been pretty standard as the time elk move from the fields to the bedding areas in the morning. People who came after 8:30 CDT were lucky to see an elk.

I would estimate that there were at least 35 cars this morning to see the elk. The afternoon viewing shift will begin about 4 PM. Generally I don't go down for that, but I am fairly certain viewing will be good this evening.

11/9/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report -- Rifle Season Begins

Elk headed for cover early today roughly about 8 AM. The herd locations are pretty stable, pretty much tracking like yesterday. The movements out of the fields are pretty similar too.

Orange up if you hike -- modern rifle season opened today. Whitetail deer are running everywhere now as a result of modern rifle season.  Be very careful driving too. This morning I had 2 different close calls that would have been certain accidents were I not driving relatively slowly -- 40 mph vs. 55. There was a deer fatality in Boxley Valley this morning.

Sometimes deer hunting season drives elk herds into the fields. I would definitely survey the whole valley when you visit because things will be pretty dynamic for a couple of weeks.

11/8/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

This morning there were 3 elk herds in Boxley Valley.  One in the first Ponca field, an all bull herd in mid valley, and a large herd with a big herd bull in the Smith Creek field. The south herd bull is Godzilla, the biggest bull currently visible.

I have heard consistent reports of good evening viewing. This should be a good weekend for elk viewing. My recommendation remains get to Boxley Valley early and survey the whole valley before settling on a spot. Should be great viewing and photography weather.

Think about taking a November float trip. Conditions are ideal now and should hold all through the weekend. Take a change of clothing in a waterproof bag or consider renting a wet suit. http://buffaloriverchamber.com for details. This is also prime time for hiking and horsemen.

11/7/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report -- Elk Return After Rains

Elk viewing was pretty good this morning, especially for those who arrived early. Viewing was pretty much done by the time sunlight hit the fields, so it is important to arrive as early as you can, ideally around 7AM, CDT or earlier.

The action has shifted to the south end now with a small herd at the 43/21 intersection, and a large herd with a huge bull with satellites in the south end of the valley by the Upper Wilderness Trailhead. This second herd has a couple of big satellite bulls as well as over 30 cows. Viewing was good last night according to a reliable report

Be sure to check the whole valley. The Ponce field could come alive with the weather change.

11/5/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

The valley was pretty quiet this morning largely due to weather. As I write this we are in a changing weather pattern transitioning from rainy weather to cool, clear weather on Wednesday.  In these conditions elk seem to move around a lot.

This morning there was a small herd at the 43/21 intersection and a handful of bulls were elsewhere. There are 3 active areas in the valley now and I recommend checking the whole valley when you visit. Viewing conditions are changing all the time now until we get into more of a settled weather pattern. Viewing times should lengthen with the predicted much cooler weather.

11/4/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Elk viewing was limited to the south end of the valley today where there was a nice herd being run by Godzilla, a bull that has not been around until now.  He put on a show for a while then moved back in the woods with his harem.

Otherwise the valley was quiet.  The first Ponca field that was so active yesterday was empty today and it is being mowed. That will put a damper on elk activity there for a while.  Straggler elk elsewhere.