As they oftentimes live alone and move to high ground, bull elk may be more difficult to spot in spring and summer months. A few more elk facts may enhance your viewing experience. Bull elk grow and shed antlers annually. It is a common misconception that the number of points on the antlers signifies the age of the bull. Larger antlers do indicate a bull's ability to find food, not the bull's specific age.
Males use antlers to show dominance or to defend themselves.
Bull elk grow up to 700 lbs. and can reach 5 ft. in height at the shoulder. Females are smaller than males reaching 500 lbs. and growing to 4.5 ft. at the shoulder. Gestation lasts about 8.5 months. The name elk is used commonly only in America. Elk can be spotted any time of the day - sunrise to sunset.