9/9/12 Elk Rut Begins -- Herd Locations Map

Elk viewing was very good this morning. We were treated to the first sighting of a rutting bull in the south end of Boxley Valley near Smith Creek. At least 20 cars of visitors stopped and enjoyed the show, many were photographers. At mid-morning the south elk herd was moving to cover in the Upper Wilderness still farther south of the trailhead.

The other main attraction was a field full of bull elk near Moore Creek on the west side of Highway 21.

Straggler elk were other places in the valley, with a small herd near the Ponca Access along the cane line.

Boxley Valley Elk Locations 9/9/12

Elk Photographers & Watchers, Buffalo National River,
Upper Wilderness Trailhead

First Rutting Bull of 2012 -- Twin Forks

First Rutting Bull of 2012 -- Twin Forks

Twin Forks is the first rutting bull of the 2012 season. This morning he put on a good show for visitors to Boxley Valley as the 2012 elk rut kicked off. 

He is easy to identify. He right antler is split into two forks, each of which has 2 tines. This makes him a 7x6. He also has long eye guards and a narrow span between his antlers. This is the third year I have seen him. He has always been early in the rut, but until this year I didn't think he had much of a chance to be in the final group of 3 or 4 bulls that will rule the valley later in the rut. 

Typically the final group of herd bulls don't show up until around October 1, but there are no hard and fast rules. Twin Forks has "game", but will it be enough to hang on in the early fights? The other challenge he will face is enduring the whole rut, it is a long season. Many of the early dominant bulls get exhausted in the late rut and just walk away.

The 2012 Buffalo River Elk Rut Began Today -- September 9

It's official, and it's early by about a week. This morning near Smith Creek in the south end of Boxley Valley we observed the very first rutting bull of the 2012 season, complete with bugling, digging, running, and marking scent on this territory. I believe he is an 8x6. He has an irregular double fork on his right antler. I will call him Double Fork, until now I did not name him because he was just a satellite bull. He has always been early in the 3 years I have observed him, but not in the lead role.

There were perhaps 20 cars at least in Boxley Valley watching the show this AM. A very nice contingent of photographers, some from Oklahoma, and other parts of Arkansas witnessed the start of the rut.

More on this later, but I wanted to get the word out. Look for an updated map in a couple of hours.

9/7/12 Elk Viewing Good, Runners in Valley Saturday AM

Last night's rain storms signal a weather change, and the elk like it. This weekend should be great viewing weather with predicted highs in the low 80's.  Get here at daybreak or visit in the evenings to see the elk.

The early elk rut is now just one week off.  This blog will be frequently updated during the rut, at least 3-5 days a week.

Note this weekend is the annual Run for the Elk road race http://www.buffaloriverrun.com/. The Saturday race will travel Boxley Valley from 8AM on.

Watch for runners the entire length of the valley.

The best elk viewing will be before the race. Lately the morning elk show is over by 8AM.

Witness Bull Elk Fights -- Get Your Timing Right

Late September 2008

Fall weather returns this weekend and the elk viewing should be very good. We are inching closer to the rut, beginning now just a little over a week off, and kicking in full gear in 2 weeks out.

During the first part of the elk rut the bull fights are especially fierce because it is the first time the pecking order is established. By the first part I mean the last week of September through the first week in October.

In 2007 during early October I witnessed 3 real huge bull fights at once in the same field at the same time. The stage was set by a huge dominant bull, the Boxley Beast, RIP, who had backed up his harem of 100 cow elk into the corner of a fence line. He was protecting them from 14 satellite bulls, a few of which were legitimate challengers.

October 12, 2007

The largest of the challengers engaged the "Beast" and an 25 minute fight began. Almost immediately two other fights began. I was alone at the intersection of highway 43 and 21 with three real bull fights in front of me.

The Beast won. But during the fight, other smaller bulls took all the cows he was protecting.

I will never forget that fight (and those fights). Six big bulls were clashing, spinning, grunting and spitting right in front of me and I was alone to witness it.

My point is this. If getting a bull fight is your objective, you need to do 2 things.  1.) Start visiting early in the rut, beginning in mid-September. 2.) Put in the time. Time in the valley translates to improved percentages for success.

9/2/12 Elk Near Smith Creek Today

This morning the elk packed it in quite early. It was evident that last night they grazed in the moonlight, probably to avoid the heat. Viewing was possible until around 8 AM and then they headed for cover. There was a small group of bulls near the Moore Creek. 

9/2/12 Elk Herd Map, Ponca, AR

9/1/12 September is Here -- Elk Rut 2 Weeks Off

September ushers in a new herd map. This morning there were elk scattered across Boxley Valley, with the concentration in the south end, just like the end of August. There is a small herd in the north end. Viewing was outstanding and extended in cloudy and cool weather.

Elk Herd Locations in Boxley Valley near Ponca, AR  9/1/12