Two young males take a break in the shade near the Waskesiu community hall. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)
By Nigel Maxwell
Nature lovers
Oct 1, 2026 | 6:07 PM
As autumn paints the leaves orange at Prince Albert National Park, the bugling of bull elk carries through the quiet townsite.
Elk rutting season runs from late August until mid-October. On Thursday, paNOW joined acting resource conservation officer Tom Perry for a special tour of the park. Perry has been following the animals since childhood and previously worked for the provincial government as an elk biologist.
“I love hearing them during elk rut. Elk bugling is one of my favourite sounds in the world, and it gets me really excited because it’s a signal for Fall,” he said.
As we travel around the quiet townsite, we first find some younger male elk enjoying the shade near the community hall. Perry explains that older bulls tend to have the advantage when competing for mates.