Elk (moose) rut

September is the time of the moose mating season, which starts a little earlier than the deer rut. Depending on the region and weather, they may even begin at the end of August. The males wipe off the hairs growing on their antlers and start looking for females. At the same time, they sometimes go far beyond their territory. They dig estrus holes with their hooves and then urinate saturated with pheromones. In this way, they leave scent marks for the beetles. The main action taken by bulls is walking and making characteristic grunting sounds. Compared to the roar of a deer, the sounds of elks are rather quiet and can be heard at a distance of 300-500 m.

When the bull finds a slut, he must make a lot of effort to win her favor. The courtship cannot be too aggressive, because the slut will chase away such a suitor, especially when she has a calf with her. Therefore, the male has to make a lot of effort to interest his chosen one.

The couple stays together for a few days, then the male moves away in search of a new object of love. Slut may also be sometimes open to new admirers. However, if she decides that a particular bull is the best match for mating, she no longer expresses interest in other males.