Kenosha Mountains Elk Herd
07-0475A (February ,2004
Elk in the Winter
Harems break up when the rut ends. Bulls of all ages may gather in "bachelor herds" or go off on their own to feed and gain strength for the winter.
Feeling weak from the rut and knowing 
their antlers make them stand out, the bulls stand a better chance against predators by hiding out by themselves or in small groups,cows and calves regroup in herds led by older, experienced cows. The mature, "lead cow" usually barks alarms and leads the rest of the group away from dangers like hungry bears, mountain lions, coyotes and hunters. 
The wolf is not much of threat to elk in Colorado, only one wild gray wolf has been observed in the state in the past 70 years (Howling At A Waning Moon: Gray wolf found dead in Colo ). In the Western United States lead cows also guide the herd from their summer range in the Kanosha and Tarryall
Mountains to their winter range in the foothills and ranching areas of South Park, and then in the early spring migrate back to their high altitude summer range for calving. 
Not all elk migrate like they do in the Kenosha, Tarryall and other areas of the Rocky Mountains. 
If winters are not so severe that they have enough food, water, cover and space, elk will stay in the same area year around. 
2 comments:
Caribou &Reindeer
Rangifer tarandus
Reindeer and Caribou look different, but they probably are the same species. Caribou are large, wild, elk-like animals which can be found above the tree-line in arctic North America and Greenland. Because they can live on lichens in the winter they are very well adapted for the harsh arctic tundra where they migrate great distances each year. Caribou cows and bulls both grow distinctive antlers and bull antlers can reach 4 feet in width! A Caribou calf can run within 90 minutes of its birth. It must do this to keep up with the migrating herds.
Reindeer are slightly smaller and were domesticated in northern Eurasia about 2000 years ago. Today, they are herded by many Arctic peoples in Europe and Asia including the Sami in Scandinavia and the Nenets, Chukchi and others in Russia. These peoples depend on the reindeer for almost everything in their economy including food, clothing and shelter. Some Nenets even keep reindeer for pets! Reindeer were introduced into Alaska and Canada last century, but most attempts failed. Native peoples in these countries still prefer to hunt caribou rather than herd reindeer.
Reindeer and caribou have unique hairs which trap air providing them with excellent insulation. These hairs also help keep them buoyant in the water. They are very strong swimmers and can move across wide rushing rivers and even the frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean!
There are no wild Reindeer in Colorado.
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