Elk: The Loudest Deer in North America

Did you know that Elk are the loudest species of deer?

Elk, especially bull male elk, make one of the highest pitched and unique sounds that can be found on the planet.

During the breeding season called the “rut” male bulls will make mating calls called “bugles” to help call in and win over his females.

The high-pitched has been said by some to similar a mix between a scream and a whistle.

Bugles from a bull elk are so loud sometimes they can be heard from miles away!

Another call besides the bugle tht elk use to communicate is a sound called “clicking” but this communication doesn’t come from the voice!

Clicking is the most commonly used call by elk when communicating.

Elk make popping or clicking noises with their ankle joints. This lets other elk know that the elk behind them is part of their herd and is not a predator.

Elk are very impressive animals and very smart as well. They know when danger is near and like I mentioned above they have several ways to help alert the rest of the herd of the nearby potential danger.

However, this is another good reason why you should always be alert when visiting places that are populated with elk like the Great Smoky Mountains because if you are hiking and not paying attention and you come across an elk it may just mistaken you as a predator and nobody wants to make a 700lb bull elk or 500lb cow elk mad!