On a late-October day I journeyed to the Jewell Wildlife Area in the Coastal Mountains.

There were two sizable Roosevelt elk herds feeding in the area.

What a change from mid-October in Central Oregon when the hunting season was open for Rocky Mountain Elk (I had a tag.)

The only elk I spotted in Central Oregon were a herd of about 15 animals that had been spooked by hunters. As usual, they were all cows and calves.

Elk seemingly have an internal clock that tells them when it’s hunting season, and time to stay out of sight.

Smart critters, don’t you think?

Roosevelt Elk enjoying a tasty snack

Medium-size Roosevelt Bull Elk (my blond elk is in the background)

Rocky Mountain Elk on the run on a cold morning

Roosevelt Elk (the boys)

Roosevelt Elk

Oops! Those are Mule Deer