Come to the Dean
Creek Elk Viewing Area in
mid-September and early October, and you're likely to see male
Roosevelt elk tusslng over females, their eyes and antlers locked in
their struggle for domination. Return in late spring and you can
see the offsprng of the victors. Females give birth in md-May to
June, and you can see young calves grazng with their mothers in early
summer.
Located
just off Highway 38 approximately eight miles east of Reedsport,
Oregon, Dean Creek's bottomland pastures, woodlands and wetlands
support a Roosevelt elk herd that sometimes exceeds a
hundred individuals. Found in the Pacific Northwest, Roosevelt
Elk are the largest subspecies of elk in North America: In Alaska,
males have weighed as much as 1300 pounds (590 kg.).
Antlers on the largest males can reach lengths of four feet.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT Elk
can be seen year- round,
but you'll see more interactions during rutting season. Try to stop at
the viewing area during early morning or early evening hours when elk
are more active.For
additional information, contact the Bureau of Land Management's Coos
Bay office at (541) 756-0100.
