Have you ever wondered if it would be possible to ride an elk like a horse? With their large size and imposing antlers, elk may not seem like the most ridable animals. However, people have attempted and even succeeded in riding these majestic creatures.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: While it is possible for a skilled and daring person to ride an elk, it is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Elk are wild animals not domesticated for human riding like horses.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about riding elk, including:
– The history and accounts of people riding elk
– The temperament and physical attributes that make elk difficult to ride
– What equipment and training would theoretically be required
– The safety issues and reasons riding elk is illegal in the US
– Alternative ways to ethically interact with elk
Documented Cases of People Riding Elk
Early Native American Accounts
Accounts of Native Americans riding elk date back hundreds of years. Early settlers and explorers recorded witnessing tribal communities, like the Nez Perce, capture elk calves and train them to be ridden later in life.
While impossible to fully verify, these historical accounts suggest Native Americans pioneered elk-riding techniques long before European settlement.
In his 1814 journal, explorer Wilson Price Hunt observed a Shoshone boy of about 12 years old riding a young elk across a river. He described the elk as “…so docile that the lad had but little difficulty in mounting and riding it.”
Similar accounts can be found from frontiersmen like James Capen Adams, known as “Grizzly Adams,” who spent much time living among Native American tribes in the early 1800s.
Recent Examples and Viral Videos
While riding elk was more common among certain Native American tribes historically, a few rare modern cases exist. In recent decades, the rise of social media and camera phones has allowed some examples to gain public attention.
In 2016, an online video showing a man casually riding a large elk went viral. The man was later identified as Von Meyer, a ranch owner in Colorado. Meyer had apparently adopted the habit of riding one of his pet elk, Hellboy, to perform ranch chores.
News stories and interviews revealed that Hellboy was very tame and friendly after being bottle-fed as a calf.
Another recent case happened in 2019, when a family in Kentucky managed to ride one of their pet elk. Local news shared phone footage of both a woman and young boy taking turns gently riding the large elk in a grassy field.
The family said they had owned elk as pets for over 20 years and that this particular bull elk, Bully, enjoyed human interaction after being bottle-fed since birth.
While these examples prove elk can be ridden in rare circumstances, experts agree they do not make good ridable animals compared to horses or other domesticated livestock. According to elk researcher Dr.
Valerius Geist, “Riding elk is an exceedingly rare event…they are not biologically adapted for riding or pulling loads.” Attempting to ride unknown elk can be very dangerous due to their unpredictable wild nature.
Elk Temperament and Physical Attributes
Flightiness and Aggression
Elk are extremely cautious and wary animals that will flee at the first sign of danger (1). Their sharp senses of sight, hearing, and smell make them very alert to possible predators. Even a small sound or scent can trigger an elk’s flight response and send the whole herd running as fast as 40 miles per hour through the forest (2).
However, elk can also be aggressive, especially during mating season when bulls compete for cows. The giant antlers sported by mature bull elk are used as weapons against rivals. Even female elk can be hostile if they perceive a threat to their young calves (3).
So while elk appear graceful and docile, it’s wise not to get too close!
Size, Speed, and Antlers
On average, bull elk stand around 5 feet tall at the shoulder and can exceed 10 feet in length, making them one of the largest land mammals in North America after bison and moose (4). Cow elk are smaller, averaging up to 5 feet tall and 7 feet long. But both can weigh between 500 to 1,100 pounds!
These huge animals can also run surprisingly fast, reaching speeds over 45 mph for short bursts (5). Their long, powerful legs allow them to easily bound through forests and across open terrain. This speed helps them escape predators when needed.
Mature bull elk grow immense sets of antlers each year that can span over 4 feet wide with six or more points on each side. They use their giant racks to battle rival males during the fall rut. But every winter, bulls shed their heavy antlers to grow even larger ones the following year (6).
So while elk may appear elegant, their immense size, speed, and giant antlers are testaments to their power and wildness!
References:
(1) https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/elk.htm
(2) https://www.realtree.com/elk-hunting/5-fascinating-facts-about-elk
(4) https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/elk.htm
(6) https://www.realtree.com/elk-hunting/when-do-elk-shed-their-antlers
Equipment and Training Needed to Ride Elk
Specialized Tack and Saddles
Riding an elk requires some specialized equipment that is tailored to their unique anatomy. Elk have a sloped back and prominent withers, so regular horse saddles will not work well. Special lightweight elk saddles are needed that distribute weight properly across their back without impeding shoulder movement.
Elk saddles resemble some endurance horse saddles with extra padding up front. A soft cinch should be used to avoid discomfort.
Elk also need a specialized bridle and bit since their heads are shaped differently from horses. Their bridles have thicker padded headstalls and throatlatches to account for their thicker neck. Special snaffle bits are curved to fit comfortably in an elk’s mouth.
Reins need to be slightly shorter than horse reins due to the elk’s thicker neck. Sturdy leather reins are best to withstand an elk’s strength if they spook or bolt.
Since elk are larger than deer, most deer saddles will not work. However, elk saddles are sometimes based on the designs for larger deer like reindeer. But elk saddles add more stabilization and padding for the elk’s heavier weight.
Desensitization Training
Elk require extensive training before they can be ridden. As wild animals, their natural instinct is to flee from humans and unfamiliar situations. They need gradual desensitization to being handled and saddled. Elk calves that have been bottle-fed are easier to train.
But even they require months of daily training sessions to get accustomed to a rider’s weight and cues.
The training starts with getting the elk used to being haltered and led on a lead rope. Next, blankets and pads are placed on its back while it is occupied eating. Eventually, the lightweight saddle is added and secured while the elk is distracted with food.
Over many sessions, the trainer will lean some weight on the elk while saddled up. When the elk accepts this calmly, short durations of sitting in the saddle can begin.
Positive reinforcement is crucial throughout the desensitization process. The elk must come to understand that being saddled and ridden is a pleasant experience. This slow acclimation teaches the elk to overcome its flighty nature and accept a rider’s presence.
Some say elk never fully lose their wild spirit, so riding them still requires skill and sensitivity.
Safety Concerns and Laws Against Riding Elk
Risk of Injury or Death
Attempting to ride an elk poses significant risks of injury or even death to both the rider and the elk. Elk are large, powerful animals that can weigh over 700 pounds and stand up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder. Their natural instincts make them unpredictable and dangerous when approached by humans.
If an elk feels threatened, it may lash out by kicking, goring with its antlers, or trampling the perceived threat. Elk inflict serious injuries on people every year during the rutting season when bulls are aggressive and protective.
Intentionally provoking an elk by trying to ride it is extremely foolish and likely to provoke an attack.
Even if a person successfully mounts an elk, the attempted ride will likely end in disaster. Elk have not been domesticated and cannot be tamed like horses. They are not anatomically suited for carrying riders. Their backs lack the broad muscles and sturdy vertebrae of riding animals like horses.
The elk will likely buck and throw off any rider, who could be seriously injured by the fall or elk’s thrashing hooves and antlers.
According to wildlife officials, elk-riding attempts often end with the elk panicking, going into shock, or dying from injuries. The elk’s powerful kicks can break ribs and cause internal bleeding in humans.
Falling off the elk can result in concussions, broken bones, or neck and back injuries for the rider.
Illegal in the United States
It is illegal to chase, harass or hunt elk other than during designated hunting seasons. Laws prohibit tampering with or removing elk from the wild. Riding attempts are considered harassment and pose a threat to the elk’s welfare. Charges can include:
- Harassing/injuring wildlife
- Illegal take of protected species
- Trespassing
For example, in Colorado in 2019, a woman received a citation for harassment of wildlife after videos emerged of her attempting to ride an elk. She faced fines over $1,300 and possible jail time. Park rangers strongly warn people to stay at least 25 yards from elk and never attempt to touch, pet or ride them.
Attempting to ride an elk is unethical as it distresses the animal and risks significant harm. Responsible wildlife watchers respect regulations prohibiting harassment and maintain a safe distance.
Ethical Ways to Interact with Elk
Safaris and Controlled Viewing
One amazing yet ethical way to interact with elk is through controlled safaris or viewing opportunities. Many national parks and preserves offer guided tours that take visitors into elk habitats. These experiences are often limited to small groups and vehicles to minimize disturbance to the animals.
Guides ensure visitors keep a respectful distance from the elk and follow other rules to prevent stress or harm.
For example, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming offers summer tours to observe elk calves and cows. The Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado provides year-round elk viewing during regulated tours. Controlled elk viewing is also available through private ranches and reserves.
When done properly under supervision, these tours allow people to safely admire elk behaving naturally in their environments.
Photography and Tracking
With some precautions, photography can be an ethical way to interact with elk from a distance. Telephoto lenses allow photographers to capture elk behavior without getting too close or interfering. Some locations even have blinds or stands set up near popular elk areas.
This enables taking great photos while minimizing disturbance to the animals.
Satellite tracking collars also provide amazing insight into elk while leaving them undisturbed. Researchers fit elk with GPS collars to monitor migration patterns, habitat use, and survival rates. The collars transmit location data for months or years.
This helps scientists study elk and conserve their populations without interfering with the animals’ natural activities. As long as not overused, tracking collars are an incredible tool for ethical elk research and conservation.
Conclusion
While riding an elk may seem like an adventurous notion, these wild animals are not suited for being ridden like domesticated horses. However, there are many ethical and safe ways to appreciate and interact with elk in their natural habitats.
So explore elk country, camera or binoculars in hand, and marvel at these creatures from a distance.
