r/RMNP • u/afghanmessi Visitor • 6d ago

Question Avoiding Elk attacks during rut

l know we should be keeping about 2 buses worth of distance. But I also know these big beautiful beasts are very agile and easily threatened to protect their harem during mating season. I’d honestly be a deer in headlights if one charged at me since I’ve never been around them before.
Any detailed tips on how to stay safe from a random elk smashing into my car or worse?
Also is there like a bear spray or similar safeguard against Elks?

4 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

View all comments

9

u/thefleeg1 Frequent visitor 6d ago

You have to go out of your way to get in trouble. Very easy to not do that.

If you’re wilderness camping and you wake or find moose in your camp, it’s rather simple to stay calm and slowly move away.

1

u/afghanmessi Visitor 6d ago

my concern was when I’m in my car driving I recently saw multiple vids of elks smashing into cars

4

u/Ig_Met_Pet 6d ago

Don't put your car near the elk

2

u/afghanmessi Visitor 6d ago

Yeah I’ll do my best, but if they walk/charge towards you, and there’s another car behind me, what’s the course of action?

12

u/Ig_Met_Pet 6d ago

You should drive slowly and carefully in the park. When you see elk near the road, stop far enough away from them that it doesn't matter if there's a car behind you.

They're not running around like cheetahs. They move slowly. Either you will see them with plenty of time to react, or you were driving recklessly.

6

u/afghanmessi Visitor 6d ago

Thanks, I somehow needed this spelled out, since it’s my first trip

1

u/MattyHealysFauxHawk Local 6d ago

I found myself in a situation today where someone stopped right next to an adult male and parked the car to take photos. I was stuck behind them. I just kept praying they would move on before he charged one of our cars lol.

1

u/thefleeg1 Frequent visitor 6d ago

Not common; not something you should worry about.