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.

Christmas Morning Bull Elk

Christmas Morning 2013 in Boxley Valley

This morning there were more bulls than cow elk in Boxley Valley. This was shot down by the 43/21 intersection. There was another group of bulls just a half mile further north toward Ponca.

12/3/13 No Elk This AM

I did 2 tours of the valley this morning and there were no elk to be seen. This included a trip to Steel Creek. I did see some deer there. Today the animals seemed hunkered down.

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.

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.

Morning Sparring By Mill Pond

Morning sparring just north of the Mill Pond. This is the medium sized all bull herd that has formed recently. This behavior will continue until the antler drop at the end of March 2014.

Morning Sparring Medium-Sized Bulls. 

11/24/13 Elk Locations & Report

The bitter cold of this morning is only now abating. This morning, while there were no elk herds to be seen, there were quite a few bulls scattered around.

These conditions will flip pretty soon, they always do. I am visiting the valley less now, but still 3 or 4 times a week.

No need for a map today.  If you visit just check the whole valley. A herd could pop out -- they are not very far away.

11/16/13 No Elk This Morning

My guess is that the weather change pushed the elk back into cover, but only they know.  I did not see one elk this morning at 7:30 AM.

Weather and deer hunting make the situation hard to predict. It it possible tomorrow could be completely different. Only time will tell.

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.

11/10/13 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.

11/8/13 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.

11/4/13 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.

11/3/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Great elk viewing this morning at the Ponca access field. A nice bull and his harem put on a show from daybreak until at least 11 to the delight of hundreds of onlookers. The Ponca field remains the strongest viewing opportunity percentage wise, but there is a fine bull and his harem around the 43/21 intersection field, but he was not visible this morning.

Elsewhere in Boxley Valley there were many bulls and evidence that other herds were around but not visible.  Definitely search the entire valley before settling on your final viewing location.

10/30/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

There was a small elk herd down by the Ponca access this morning, but that was about all that was going on.  This is a rainy weather pattern. The elk holed up early and could pop out anytime under these conditions.  The Ponca fields remain the best place to see elk for a few days now.

I did see 5 or 6 scattered bulls heading south in the valley.  One group looked like the "biggest bulls" herd from a distance.

10/28/13 Elk Herd Location Map & Report

There were 2 herds in the Ponca fields this morning, and a 3rd small one in the south end by the Upper Wilderness Trailhead. Lots of bugling. I thought a fight might happen but it did not. The table is set for one, and it should be a few days. Lots of energy.  The more active herd was jammed right into the cane line on the north end, and they did head to the river for a few shots for the photographers present.

The small herd on the south end is very different and kind of placid. Still, if you have not seen elk, they were quite visible and perfect for elk watching.

10/27/13 Elk Herd Location Map & Report

This morning there were no herds, only a handful of straggler elk the length of the valley. Bugling could be heard up by the Ponca Access. It is quite possible that herd could show up for evening viewing tonight.

If you visit, be sure and check the whole valley. Today is the last day of muzzle loader season and how the elk will move is anyone's guess.

Morning Sparring in Fog, 12/2/13

2 middle sized bulls spent some time sparring today down by 43/21 intersection in some pretty thick fog.  A lot of people filmed these guys.

I have taken a lot of sparring and fighting pictures.  I think getting at least one set of eyes in the picture matters a lot.  There are exceptions with great movement, meaning big twists and turns.  These guys did a little of that.

Second Tier Bull Elk Sparring in the Morning Fog

10/25/13 Elk Herd Location Map & Report

Absolutely beautiful morning in Boxley Valley.  As the fog lifted there were photographers all over the valley shooting elk, trumpeter swans, and landscapes of the old barns.  Very nice crowds all week as elk and fall color brought them in.

This morning very early the Ponca field was vacated and the elk moved up behind the bible camp on private property. They will be back, maybe tonight.

The best shows this morning was near the highway 43/21 intersection, and down at the deep south end by the upper wilderness trailhead.  The small bull herd was at 43/21 and did some posing by the old barn there then moved all around the field to the delight of a nice crowd.

In the south end Junk Yard Dog (big 7x7 bull) and his harem showed up in the field, then moved north to the river later in the morning. It is quite possible they will show up in the Smith Creek field this evening.  You definitely will want to see this big bull.

10/24/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

This morning there were 2 herds like yesterday and in the same locations.  The Ponca herd continues to be pretty predicable now for many days, and viewing has been good in the morning and evening for a while.

The second herd is an all-bull herd down by the 43/21 intersection. The all bull herd will move around a lot in that field and the next one south.  There are about 8 bulls in it.

Viewing is extended in this cool weather, but early and late viewing is the most reliable. Be sure to check the whole valley on each visit.

There are a lot of whitetail deer moving around because of hunting. Be alert to them on roadsides.