When we were in Idaho we met a rancher named Jerry at the Boise Farmers’ Market who raises elk. We got invited out for a tour of the ranch, which is called Timber Butte Elk Ranch.
Massive 6-point bull elk
The elk rancher has two male elk, called bulls, and 46 female elk, called cows. He is hoping to expand his herd to around 120 elk.
Feeding the elk apple slices
Jerry feeding the elk an apple slice and getting a slobbery kiss
We got to feed the elk apple slices and tour where they live. Jerry told us the story about how he had been working with one of the baby elk, called a calf, while the mother was on the hillside. Then suddenly, the mother ran toward it’s baby. Jerry thought that the mother was coming for the baby, but it wasn’t. It had seen a kitten and chased it down and stomped on it, which killed it. So, elk can be really dangerous, especially if you are a kitten. Elk are easily spooked by cats, as cougars and wolves are their natural predators.
Elk eating breakfast
Jerry feeding his elk
Facts I learned about elk
- I learned that it is rare for an elk to have twins
- Elk eat grass in the Spring
- An elk’s antlers fall off in March
- An elk’s hoof is very strong
- Elk like to eat apples
Now you know all about elk.