Bulls compete for dominance through bugling, sparring, and chasing would-be competitors away. Ensure through controlled feeding that cows are not fat, as this restricts the size of the birth canal and increases the size of the calf. Although calving problems are rare, farmers can help the cow by pulling the calf, but only after waiting a lengthy period for a natural birth. The cow will immediately accept the calf and clean it, and the calf will stand to nurse. Elk are predominantly grazers.
Elk are efficient converters of food.
Three cow elks' feed intake is the same as that of one beef cow. For a cow, post-rut to calving, feed a maintenance diet of good quality hay, grain optional. Bulls should be fed well all year, but especially in the summer. During winter, bulls should be fed a much higher quality diet than that of cows, so that can regenerate after the rut. If possible, weaned calves should be kept separate and fed extra the first winter.