11/21/12 Map & Holiday Outlook

As promised, here is today's up-to-date elk herd location map.

These herd locations are pretty reliable through Thanksgiving. I expect to see another herd pop up farther south -- I could not locate it this morning so I think it is moving or on a back field for now.

All visitors should check all the way down to the south trailhead with any visit. There are 2 herds jammed into the area near the 43/21 intersection. Expect them to spread out, and my guess is one will head further south. Time will tell.

Today's herd locations are below:

10/8/12 Elk Herd Location Map

Elk were moving all around today. Most notable today was at least one herd showed up in Lost Valley. The star of the show in Lost Valley was the bull I call JYD (Junk Yard Dog) with his distinctive down eye guard on his right side. This is from an injury during his velvet period this year.

I expect the elk to be Lost Valley tonight, but nothing is certain. There was good activity up in the Ponca fields. A third bull is running cows down by the Upper Wilderness Trailhead.

Elk are scattered elsewhere in the valley. Please note that there are roadside grazers in the south end and they remain a hazard. Please drive carefully, around 35-40 MPH in the south end.

Today's up to date elk herd location map is below:

Elk Herd Locations 10/8/12 in Boxley Valley 

10/3/12 Elk Herd Location Map

Haying over the last few days is now complete, and the elk are only now returning to normal. Viewing was light tonight, but the weather change and another day after haying should improve weekend viewing dramatically. This is the peak rut period and the elk are real motivated now to get the breeding done. Rain and cool temperatures over the next few days should really bring out the herds. 

Big Bull Stars of the 2012 Arkansas Elk Rut

It is time to start introducing of the big bulls of the 2012 elk rut. Below on the left is the Boxley Stud, an 8x8, and on the right, Prince, an 8x7 because of antler damage. Both are top rank bulls. 

The Boxley Stud was the premier bull in the valley in 2010, he returns after a one year absence with a much heavier rack, and at least one extra point. He also has a palmate feature (flat, palm-like) on his left antler. Palmate antlers occur primarily on older bulls. 

Prince (right) is bigger than last year, but still smaller than the Stud. Last year he was a nearly perfect typical atypical bull elk with symmetrical 8x8 antlers. This year due to damage during the velvet period, he is an 8x7 and not so perfect.

Both these bulls are trophy bull elk. Both have been photographed close to cow herds, but there are not quite enough cow elk in heat to bull them in just yet. That moment, the one that ignites Boxley Valley with bull fights will probably come in the next week. Experienced bull watchers can feel the tension building with more bugling, and more big bulls every day. 

These images are not very good because they are clips of a video taken this morning at about 250 yards. Both these bulls will be sought by photographers this year. My bet is that the Boxley Stud will be the dominant bull elk this year, but this is always uncertain. He may be the biggest bull elk in Arkansas at this time. 

Boxley Stud and Prince Bull Elk 2012

Boxley Stud and Prince -- 31 Total Points
Sparring in Boxley Valley 2012

9/23/12 Big Bulls Arriving, Rut Reaching Peak Now

Elk viewing has returned to pretty good now after 1 day of "moving" when only scattered animals could be seen. 

The best field now is at the 43/21 intersection. Elk that were in the mid valley moved to that field. The dominant bull has a very distinctive down tine right eye guard. This is the first time I have ever seen this particular "irregularity". Makes him very easy to ID. I do not think he will last long as the dominant bull for this herd, the big guys are slowly moving in. 

The Smith Creek field further south now has a legitimate herd bull class bull. He is a great bull with outstanding symmetry. I am still working to ID him, but I think he is the bull I call "Ladders". His rack is relatively narrow and long. 

The "Boxley Stud" is hanging around but has not joined a herd. I got a short video of him sparring this morning. His distinctive drop tine makes him easy to ID. He will join a herd, and likely will take over. Right now he is about a half mile from herds both on the north and south of his current location. 

There is an nice bull with a very small harem around the Ponca access. He is getting really aggressive and was running all over this morning. I didn't get a great look at him. 

There are now over 25 cars in the valley during the viewing periods. Please take care and watch for pedestrians, and please respect private property. Don't stop in the middle of the road to take pictures or gawk. 

The latest elk map is below:

Elk Herd Locations in Boxley Valley

9/17/12 Elk Map & Report

This morning elk were scattered across Boxley Valley with only 2 small herds evident. The first was near Beech Creek on the south end of the valley, the second scattered around just south of Smith Creek and just north of the Upper Wilderness Trailhead. 

My guess is that the elk have been grazing pretty hard in the overcast, rainy weather we have had. Once we return to more normal weather tomorrow, the elk movements will return to normal patterns. 

The herd around Beech Creek was on both sides of the road and grazing close to the pavement. This is probably the most dangerous area of the valley for a potential car/elk accident (as denoted by the red elk). Go slowly through this area, and if you see roadside elk, stop and proceed very slowly. 

9/17/12 Elk Herd Locations in Boxley Valley, near Ponca, AR

9/11/12 Updated Elk Herd Map & Notes

Below is the updated herd location map from this morning. 

In a couple of locations I am using date ranges rather than a cluster of dates since we have hit a 3 day pattern. 

The only news is that a herd is now in the north end of the Smith Creek field in the south end of the valley. 

There are reports of a bull fight in the last couple of days. I did notice some blood on the antlers of bull that seems to confirm that report. 

Note that there are many bulls that have only now completed scraping their velvet. They are easy to ID with their ivory white colored antlers. 

The very biggest bull elk have not joined the rut at this time. I do know where they are on private land so this is an easy call. If history is any lesson, they will join the rut in about 1 week to 10 days. Often a monster bull shows up around October 1. 

Like all seasonal boundaries for elk, there is not an "on/off switch". We are blending from the summer period with velvet scraping into the rut. The very best of the rut is still ahead. 

Drive slowly in Boxley Valley, especially from just north of the Mill Pond and all points south. There are a handful of elk that are not in the herd structure and scattered here and there. There is a bull elk that is quite tame and not afraid of traffic. He has been hanging around the Mill Pond area. 

9/11/12 Elk Herd Locations

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

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.

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

8/27/12 Elk Rut Near, Elk Herd Locations Stable

Not the Brightest Light 8/27

This morning the elk herds returned to the pattern that has dominated the last 30 days.

There are 2 major herds in the valley, 1 has been in the field just north of Smith Creek for at least a week. The second is hanging around Moore Creek near the intersection of highways 43 & 21.

Pooled water in a low river has really enhanced wildlife viewing. I got a few otter pictures today that are on my all-time list. Check back later for pictures. Whitetail photography is good in the valley now as well.

Major announcement coming on new elk viewing resource.

The early elk rut is now just 2 weeks off, main rut 3 weeks off.  8/27/12 elk herd location map is below.

8/26/12 Good Viewing with One Large Herd Today

Down to 1 large herd today, the second herd is no doubt in a back field. This cool weather is prime elk weather with longer viewing times. 

Very good (and very safe) viewing in the south valley just north of Smith Creek. Elk love rain as long as the weather is not violent. 

8/25/12 Elk Herd Locations Unchanged

This morning the elk herds were in the same positions as yesterday.

The cool weather and rain has expanded viewing hours. Early and late remain most reliable, but the elk are slower to be down, and will come out in the evening somewhat earlier for now. Expect Sunday viewing to be very good.

More ivory white antlers every day. The rut is at hand.

Elk Viewing is Very Good -- Ivory Elk Antlers Everywhere

Elk viewing is now very good in  Boxley Valley. There are two big herds, one just south of the 43/21 intersection, and a second in the field north of Smith Creek. All major elk viewing is in the south end of the valley and the current pattern has been stable for a couple of weeks. 

Many bull elk have now scraped the velvet off their antlers. White, ivory-colored antlers are everywhere now in Boxley Valley. If you have never seen freshly-scraped antlers, it is interesting. They are very white at the beginning, then they air dry down to a deep nutmeg brown. 

For me this is the first clear marker of the 2012 rut. Some large bull elk have already assumed the "rutting position" hanging around with cow herds and bedding down with them overnight. Most all of these bulls are "second tier" bulls and will be quickly replaced as the rut hits full speed. 

Around the third week of September, and often the biggest bulls show up around October 1. As bulls arrive. These big boys are huge, and quickly there is a changing of the guard. Most of them are still hanging around in an all-bull herd of the biggest animals. For now at least, this herd is not visible, but it could show up at any time. 

August 24, 2012   Copyright Michael Dougherty 2012

Revised Elk Viewing Map for 2012 Rut

Small Bull Elk Shedding Velvet in 2009

I have revised the elk viewing map for the 2012 Arkansas Elk Rut to reflect the current patterns a bit more. There is another zone -- now there are 5.

There are other additions. The route to nearby hiking trails are identified to assist first time visitors with locating nearby trails. The Ponca Elk Education Center is added to the map. Visitors will want to visit this award-winning center as part of their elk viewing experience.

The new map is shown below. It incorporates the latest August observations. This year is shaping up as an outstanding elk viewing year. The rut is now just a few weeks off.

Bull elk are now beginning to scrape off their velvet, completing the antler growth cycle in preparation for the 2012 rut.

8/17/12 Bull Elk Now Scraping Velvet, Viewing Good

As we march to the 2012 Arkansas Elk Rut, one of the setups is when bull elk begin to scrape velvet in preparation. Today I saw the first bull losing his velvet, exposing the ivory white antlers underneath. This will become common this week.

Viewing was good and there are a lot of elk in Boxley Valley right now. The dominant pattern remains in the south half of the valley beginning just north of the 43/21 intersection and points south. This morning there was actually a calf nursery on the road right next to Beech Creek.

We are heading into cool weather for a while. Good viewing should continue. As always, early and late are best. Longer on rainy days. Drive slowly in Boxley Valley, there are a lot of deer and elk around that could jump in front of your vehicle. I would keep speed down to 45 or less to be safe.

Look for more frequent reports as we head into the rut.

July 29 2012 Herd Location Map -- Early Bugling!!

Bugling So Soon??

I have heard 4 different elk bugles in the morning the last 3 days. This is a month earlier than the usual outlier first bugle date of around September 1. I have no idea what is up with this, it make just come down to a bull who is deranged. Yesterday I was talking to a friend and we both heard it so it is verified. Pretty weird.

Elk remain pretty loaded up in the south end of the valley from the intersection of 43 and 21 and points to the south.

The final July elk viewing map is below:

7/21/12 Elk Rut Less than 2 Months Off

Roadside Orphan Fawns
July 20 @ 7PM

Elk viewing continues to be good. Many visitors were in Boxley Valley last evening and they were not disappointed. After the sunlight dimmed, the elk hit the fields in good numbers, especially in the fields in the south half of the valley.

If you are interested in seeing the big bulls, early morning is the time to get to the valley. Yesterday there were many bull elk around the 43/21 intersection and they were very close to the road. This morning there were fewer bulls, but they were close enough for good viewing.

The elk rut begins about September 15. As I have written earlier, I will be covering it in depth again this year. The bugling and occasional bull fights are something every nature lover should witness.

A safety note. This heat has whitetail deer moving at the ends of the day. Expect to see more deer in the evenings and watch the roadsides carefully. Last evening we saw easily 20+ deer cross the road in 7 different events.  Remember we have many new fawns that can be unsteady in the road. Always assume a crossing doe will be followed by a fawn. Watch the roadsides when you drive for deer as well as elk. Drive a little slower too.

7/16/12 Elk Locations in Boxley Valley

Elk are not as plentiful as earlier in the month, but viewing is pretty good. Summer viewing can be pretty thin when the heat sets in and this is one of those weeks.

Having said that though, this morning the big bull herd was very close to the road. So there were not so many elk to see, but the big guys were very close.  This was just north of the mill pond, a place that is often good, but dangerous for parking.

So far this month viewing has been good. Baby elk are a common sight now.

The key to outstanding viewing is getting out early right at daybreak. The light is great and the animals are the closest to the road they will be all day. Get there before 7:30AM to see elk, and get there at 6:00AM for the very best show.

The elk location map for July is below: