Today, on the prairie, they are found only in managed herds on refuges and parks. Bull elk are noted for their large antlers which they grow each year. Starting in the spring, the antlers grow up to several inches each day until mid-summer. Elk then polish their antlers on trees and shrubs to remove the velvet. In September bull elk enter the rut and their musical whistle can be heard in the morning and evening.
Bulls clash with their large antlers in a test of strength.
The stronger bulls assemble harems of several cows from which they drive away all other bulls. In the spring the elk calves are born. The calves are odorless and able to lie very still, hidden among the grasses and shrubs. This keeps them safe from predators in their first days of life. Later their great speed and cautious nature serve them well.