Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Elk rutting season has begun and will last until mid-October.
On Aug. 23, Parks Canada issued a bulletin that advised the public to keep at least 30 metres away from all elk and never get between a male and the females.
Bull elk become aggressive when protecting their harems during mating season.
Drivers should not park their vehicle between a male and the females, since elk may charge the vehicle and cause damage.
Parks Canada also offered these other tips on how to avoid and handle elk encounters:
- Travel in a group
- Watch for elk at all times and detour around them
- If possible walk around elk on the high side of a slope or up-hill
- Stay back at least 30 metres
- Keep your dog on a leash at all times
- An unleashed dog may prompt an elk to become aggressive as they view the dog as a predator (wolf or coyote)
- Carry pepper spray, a walking stick or an umbrella as protection
- Act dominant if an elk gets too close
- Raise your arms or any big object (jacket or umbrella) to make yourself appear larger, maintain eye contact, and never turn your back or run
- Climb a tree or keep an object, like a tree or large rock, between you and the elk
- Back slowly out of the area
- Warn other hikers of an elk ahead and report the incident immediately to Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155
- If you are knocked down or fall, get up and try to move to cover or use an object to protect yourself
- Do not play dead
