Elk Viewing at Hatfield Knob
When the weather has a balmy nip and the elk are bugling at Hatfield Knob, who can resist a field trip with the Withrows? After our amazing experience last year at Hatfield Knob, we suspected this year couldn't top it. Although we didn't see the large herds of elk, we witnessed a triangle of bugling by three elk bulls. One came out of the woods and lay down in the field, but he continued to bellow at 2 other bulls we never saw but heard. Upon our approach to the viewing stand, we came rather closer than we felt comfortable with a large bull standing on a grassy mound in the meadow. He never bugled but stood like a sentinel, noble and alert. Intimidating to say the least!
When we topped the rise, this big guy was staring right at us.
Occasionally, he glanced away in the direction of another bull bugling.
But he returned his gaze toward us!
At the edge of woods in the far meadow, young males grazed. They never responded to the commotion around them.
It was quite a thrilling experience! When it got too dark to see the elk, we hiked down the gravel trail by the light of the moon...and Emily's cellphone flashlight.
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