Saturday was what I’d call a perfect day. I spent the first half of the day at home (in Owensboro) with my husband, 4 cats, 3 daughters and 2 of their boyfriends who were over. They’re like sons I never had, so I always love to see them coming up our drive!

After lunch, my husband and I headed to the place we go just about every weekend – Land Between the Lakes. Our first stop was the Hitching Post Country Store in Aurora. (Watch for an upcoming article about excitment buzzing around this one of a kind store. The new owner’s cooking up something very special and I’m getting giddy.)

After grabbing a few jars of jam, a bag of grits (more about them in the upcoming article!), and an AMAZING Cinnamon Roll candle that almost smells better than the real thing.  I actually haven’t even lit it yet – I have it sitting on my desk here in our home office.  It’s making my entire work area smell like Cinnamon Heaven.  One of my cats is infatuated with it.

The next stop on the perfect day was Aurora’s Willow Pond restaurant (the best Willow Pond, if you ask my taste buds). The food was perfect, as always, and the server was as sweet and southern as the tea I drank.

After shopping in one of my favorite gift shops and eating in one of my favorite restaurants, we went to a place I could (literally) spend hours upon hours in: The Elk & Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This Prairie is truly a remarkable place, and if you love animals as much as I do, they’ll have to drag you away. These animals are so majestic and beautiful and the landscape is like something out of a National Geographic issue.  It’s all breathtaking and I’m blown away on each visit.

In addition to elk and bison, the prairie is also home to wild turkeys, rabbits, raccoons, bobcats, bats, coyote, skunks, box turtles, redtail hawks, quail, snakes, and owls. (Sounds like our backyard, except we have possums instead of turkeys!  I love possums, so it’s all good.)

Did You Know?

• The Shawnee Indian word for elk is wapiti, meaning “white rump.”
• Elk antlers can grow up to one inch a day in the summer.
• Bison once ranged from Florida to the Hudson Bay and from Appalachia to the Rockies.
• Elk spend most of the day in cover but may come out in late afternoon or evening to graze.

No Season is the Wrong Season to Enjoy the Elk & Bison Prairie

We made a special point of going to the Prairie this weekend because the elk begin their bugling in September and October.  This is, of course, their mating call and once you’ve heard them bugling – you’ll never forget it.  It was pouring down rain when we went through, so we were afraid we wouldn’t see any animals, let alone be treated to a bugling concert.  Wrong!  We saw 4 beautiful male elk and countless females.  A very large elk was holding court with about 10 females when another, smaller, male approached.  The larger (selfish!) elk gave chase and the smaller guy reconsidered. 

Two years ago, we watched as two huge male elks went head to head – or antler to antler.  They fought for about 15 minutes before one retreated.  They put on a spectacular show that we felt privileged to watch.

Although the bugling makes autumn an unbelievable time to visit the prairie, the other seasons hold their own magic.

Spring - Spring means one thing:  Babies!  During May the first Bison calves begin to appear.  They never get too far from “mom” and they are ridiculously cute.   Elk calves are born in late May or June.

Summer – The prairie grasses, flowers, and trees put on a wonderful show throughout the summer. During the hot days of summer, the elk and bison can be found seeking shade beneath the many, many trees and taking dips in one of the ponds.

The animals are pretty busy in the summer months, but you have to catch them in the late afternoon.  Last summer, we drove through one evening with our youngest daughter.  Countless bison were crossing the road just as we were inching along, so we sat watching as these beautiful animals walked, literally, right in front of us.  They’re one of my favorite animals in the world, so I was transfixed – too overwhelmed with happy to even take pictures!  Fortunately, Michael and Stephany snapped away as I sat there, teary-eyed and smiling.

Winter – This is a season you shouldn’t overlook!  The bare landscape of winter increases your odds of seeing the animals, and when you do see them, they’ll be wearing their beautiful new winter coats.   During the other seasons, the elk and bison can be seen most frequently in the very early morning hours and in the late afternoon hours.  However, during winter, they can be seen just about any time as they feed throughout the day.

The Elk & Bison Prairie is open to the public 365 days a year, dawn to dusk.  The cost is only $5 per car.  Not much to pay for memories that’ll last forever.  You can begin your journey by touring the Elk & Bison Prairie Exhibit at the Golden Pond Visitor Center.  It’s amazingly well done and very, very informative. The history of the region will fascinate even the wiggliest kids.

When you go, please keep in mind that these animals are beautiful but they are wild.  This isn’t, of course, a petting zoo.  We are merely guests, it’s the animals’ home.  Never allow anyone you’re with to taunt, tease, or try to coax the animals toward you.  Also, if you see a snake on the road (during cold months, they like to warm themselves on the blacktop), please don’t run him over!  Simply admire his presence, then leave him where you found him.

Respecting the animals and their surroundings makes you a much cooler person.

Helpful Links:

Elk & Bison Prairie Overview

Elk & Bison Prairie:  The Story

All About Elk (You can even hear an audio of bugling.)

All About Bison (You can hear him as well!)