Elk leave the lower elevations in April and May, following the receding snowline back into the cool, high country, where they spend the summer.  These animals travel distances varying from a few miles up to 100 miles during migration from the refuge to Grand Teton National Park, southern Yellowstone National Park, and national forest lands to the north and northeast of Jackson Hole. A few elk remain near the wooded areas of the refuge during the summer months.

From late May to mid-June, cows bear their young in secluded thickets on higher terrain.  A cow typically has one calf that weighs 30 to 40 pounds. The calves are reddish colored and spotted at birth. Very few calves are born on the refuge, since the majority of elk migrate back to the high country before calving occurs.

The breeding season (or "rut") occurs in September and early October, while the elk are in the high country.  At this time, the high-pitched "bugling" of the mature bulls can be heard as they gather harems of cows and challenge rival bulls. During the rut, bulls vigorously defend their harems of half a dozen to 15 or more cows. 

In late fall, snow begins to fall in the high country, and the elk herds migrate back to their lower elevation winter range.

Elk Biology Fact Sheet

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