Tule Elk

Tule elk are the smallest elk species in North America and are unique to California. In the mid-1800s, thousands of Tule elk roamed the central valley and coastal foothills. However, hunting, agricultural development, and livestock grazing drastically reduced their numbers. Today, with continued conservation efforts, Tule elk numbers are improving. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tule elk were introduced into the Lake Pillsbury Basin and can often be viewed in the Gravelly Valley area and the Lake Pillsbury Basin.

Tule elk mate (rut) mid-July through mid-September. During those months bull elk often fight each other to maintain harems of female elk (cows). The bulls drop their antlers between mid-January and March. Calves are born from mid-March through the end of June. If elk move away from you while you are viewing them, you are too close. As you know…you should not feed the elk or make loud noise close to them.