The dos and don'ts for watching elk in the Smokies

Tourists are crowding the Great Smoky Mountains to see the fall colors and hear the loud mating calls of wild elk, but this is no time to get close to the creatures.
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[@salvarriale161]

I love this place.. And want to live right near it.. Cherokee shows promise

[@amberm34]

There was a guy gored to death here in Oregon a couple years ago. The most dangerous time to be around a bull is during the rut. They will kill you if you get in between him and his cows!

[@wampuscat1831]

I live in Big Cove see these fools all the time. If they make any human contact the elk is put down no matter who is at fault .Please do not get close ,best stay in vehicle .I live here and I keep away from them.

[@hardyharr9377]

ppl think that herbivores arent all that dangerous

[@beverlyhill6783]

Never Never Never Ever - just go up to a Elk - wild or restocked - never do that - or get out of your car - they are animals who don’t understand or get your intent - They will attack and they go for the kill -

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

These elk are not really wild. They are stock from reintroduced elk. Elk were completely wiped out in the east. This might have something to do with the lack of fear.

[@chickennuggets2695]

wrong

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

@@chickennuggets2695 Look up the Elk reintroduction project in East Tennessee and Western NC.

[@khalil7011]

@@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead He's not saying that part is wrong, he's saying your implication that these elk being reintroduced has something to do with them being less fearful of humans is false.

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

@@khalil7011 Animals that are reintroduced are first raised in pens like domestic livestock. They learn queues to be able to get their vaccinations, etc. They are less wary of humans. That's just fact.

[@MartinLaforce]

@@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead they can be dangerous. Hitting them in your car can be deadly at high speeds, bulls are nasty during rutting season, cows can be mean. Growing up in the Rockies shows you how to respect these creatures. You East Coast guys have a lot of learning and catching up to do when it comes to living alongside elk.