In the spring the calves are born, almost always one per cow. When the calves are large enough they are branded with the refuge's own US brand. The longhorns spend most of the year in large pastures on the refuge. This hardy breed is well suited for life on the range. The steers grow the longest horns which are characteristic of the breed.
Steers are also larger and more rangy than the cows and bulls.
The longest measurement from horn tip to horn tip of the longhorn steer is over eight feet, but horns of this length are rare. Longhorns are also know for a great variety of colors seen in a herd. Elk once roamed the prairie in large herds. 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.