A field trip to view the elk rut season in Cataloochee Valley will be held by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust on Tuesday, Sept. 28, as part of the eco tour series.

There will be a special talk by Park Ranger Joe Yarkovich, the Smokies’ elk specialist, as well as a picnic dinner in the valley.  

The “rut” is the season when the male elk, or bull, compete for dominance and the right to mate with the female elk, or cow. An important, and quite enchanting, part of the process is the bull warning call to other males, known as the “bugle.”  The call, which has been described by many as eerie or haunting, provides an audible cue that fall has arrived at Cataloochee Valley.  

Cost is $35. 828.526.1111 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..