In the quiet of the rolling hills and hardwoods of the northeastern Lower Peninsula you may hear a loud, high-pitched screech in the early morning hours. Don’t be alarmed. It’s Michigan’s wild elk looking for a mate.
During the fall breeding season, elk are more active while competing for mates. That’s when you hear those distinct bulges from males, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Every other year the DNR flies over the Lower Peninsula’s elk country for eight days to count the herds. The last aerial survey, in 2024, estimated the elk population at 1,146.
As these elk bulls search for mates, here’s three tips to see these massive animals in the wild.
Where to look
Elk congregate in open fields throughout Otsego, Montmorency, Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties.
Michigan’s Pigeon River Country State Forest in Otsego County is home to one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi, according to the DNR.
Bring your binoculars to these 13 designated viewing areas mapped on the DNR website, here.
Keep in mind road conditions are variable depending on the weather. This area was also hit hard by the spring ice storm so expect more forest clearings.
When to go
Elk are most active from September to mid-October. Elk can be elusive but they tend to gather in forest openings at dawn and dusk to feed and socialize.
The DNR recommends its best to arrive just before sunrise or sunset and make sure to listen carefully for males’ bugling.
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How to view the herd responsibly
First, remember to drive safely at dawn and dusk, when elk (and deer) are active and distracted during the breeding season.
Keep a safe distance. These animals weigh between 400 and 900 pounds and stand 5 feet tall at the shoulder − they’re nothing to mess with.
Elk have been described as “walking stomachs” for their insatiable appetites but that’s not an invitation to feed wild elk.
The DNR euthanized an elk in Presque Isle County after it became accustom to human food and then demonstrated “aggressive behavior” including three reports of the elk charging at people.
The DNR suggests you bring your binoculars, spotting scope or camera for close-up viewing while remaining a safe distance away.
Michigan’s current elk hunting periods are late August through September and then a second period in December. License are limited and only available through a lottery.
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