How to Identify Elk in North Dakota

Adult elk in North Dakota are reddish-brown to tan on the body, with the darkest coloring along the back and shoulders. The neck and mane are darker still, often appearing nearly black. The belly, legs, and especially the rump patch are cream or pale tan. In midsummer the coat becomes lighter and more golden, while in winter the hair lengthens and darkens. Bulls (males) develop a much darker, fuller mane than cows (females). The contrast between the dark body and the pale rump patch is one of the quickest ways to spot an elk from a distance.

Elk are massive. Bulls typically stand 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 600 to 1,000 pounds, with the largest exceeding 1,200 pounds. Cows are noticeably smaller, usually 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall and weighing 400 to 600 pounds. Calves at birth weigh 30 to 40 pounds and grow rapidly, reaching adult size by 2 to 3 years of age. Only mule deer bucks are anywhere near elk in size, and even a large mule deer is much smaller. If you encounter a deer in North Dakota that appears the size of a small car, it is an elk.

Moose are far larger than elk, sometimes weighing 1,500 pounds or more, and have a distinctly different body shape. A moose has a massive, overhanging upper lip, long legs that look stilted, a pronounced hump on the shoulders, and a short, dangling dewlap under the chin. Elk have a sleeker, more balanced body, a normal-sized muzzle, and a shaggy mane on the neck. Moose are very rare in North Dakota and occupy boreal forests; elk occur in grasslands, breaks, and open woodlands. If you see a long-legged giant with a dished face and pendulous chin, that is a moose. An elk looks more like a giant mule deer.

Only male elk grow antlers. In North Dakota, bulls typically have racks with 5 to 6 points per side, though some have fewer and large bulls may have 7 or 8. The main beam curves forward and upward, with points branching off the beam rather than spreading wide like a mule deer's antlers. Antlers are reddish-brown when freshly cleaned and bleach to tan or gray over time. Bulls begin growing antlers in spring and shed them in March or April. Cows have no antlers year-round. Young bulls called spikes or forked-horns have their first, smaller set of antlers, usually just one or two points per side. During rutting season in fall, any antlered deer you see is a bull elk.

Yes. Elk have a heavier, more robust body than mule deer or whitetail deer. Their neck is thicker and shorter in proportion to their body, and they carry their head high. Elk have longer legs and a much deeper chest. The proportions are distinctly horselike. Mule deer and whitetails have a more delicate, graceful body and thinner necks. Even a large mule deer buck looks fine-boned compared to an elk. At a distance, an elk's massive frame and thick neck are unmistakable.

The rump patch is a large, cream or pale yellow circular patch on the rear end of an elk, often with darker hairs around the edge. When an elk runs or bounds away, the rump patch becomes extremely visible and is one of the most distinctive features. Mule deer have a dark-tipped white tail and a smaller, less obvious light patch. Whitetail deer raise a bright white flag when alarmed. If you see a large reddish deer fleeing with a prominent pale rump patch, that is an elk. The rump patch is so characteristic that it is nearly diagnostic on its own.

Bull elk are famous for their loud, high-pitched bugle call during the rutting season in fall, usually September and October. The bugle is a series of high whistles that rise and fall and often end with a grunting chuckle. Cows produce much quieter mews and chirps. Both sexes make loud barking alarm calls when startled. Newborn calves bleat. The bugling of a bull is an unforgettable sound and one of the clearest identifiers that elk are present. If you hear a high, wailing whistle echoing across the prairie in fall, it is almost certainly a bull elk.

Elk hoofprints are large and rounded, typically 4 to 5 inches long and 3.5 to 4 inches wide. The prints are much larger and more robust than mule deer or whitetail tracks. Elk droppings are round pellets, roughly the size of a large marble, often in piles. In mud or snow, an elk track is unmistakable, the hoof marks are deep, and each hoof is clearly separated. The stride of an elk is long, typically 4 to 5 feet, whereas a deer's stride is much shorter. Along streams and trails in Theodore Roosevelt country and the breaks, fresh large prints with rounded hooves are a sure sign of elk.

Yes. Large mule deer bucks in North Dakota can weigh 250 to 400 pounds and stand 3.5 to 4.5 feet at the shoulder. However, even the largest mule deer are roughly half the size of an elk and look noticeably more slender. A big mule deer has a more delicate neck, a lighter overall frame, and ears that are much larger in proportion to the head. Elk ears are smaller and more rounded. Mule deer have a white tail with a black tip, while elk have a dark tail with pale underside. If you are unsure whether you have seen an elk or a mule deer, compare the animal's size to trees or familiar objects, an elk is substantially, obviously larger.

Elk are most visible and active during their peak months of July, May, and November. In July, summer elk are active throughout the day in meadows and grasslands. In May, after calving season, cows and calves are conspicuous in open areas. In November, the rutting season causes bulls to bugle and move visibly across the landscape, making them easier to locate and observe. From December through April, elk are less active but may still be found in brushy breaks and woodlands. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot elk, as they are most active during those hours. If you are searching for elk to identify, plan your visit for July, May, or November.