You Have to Be There…Elk Viewing on the C M Russell Wildlife Refuge

I’m always frustrated when people try to explain something to me then say – well, you have to be there. But, this is exactly what I’m going to do in this blog!

It’s that time of year where the elk are congregating at the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area, located in the C. M. Russell Wildlife Refuge.

The bull elk are building harems during the rut season. For some reason, they congregate at this area every year. Evening is the best time for viewing and listening to the bugling.

You access the viewing area from US Hwy 191 south of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and then watch for signs. The area is on the north side of the Missouri River.

You can easily watch and listen to the elk from a maintained gravel road at the Slippery Ann area but I recommend bringing binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.

This year the Bureau of Land Management has set up a recorded message about the number of elk on the refuge. The elk numbers grow as the season advances. You can reach the recording at 406-535-6905.

And, my parting advice – if you can’t get to Slippery Ann, be sure to watch our video taken there.

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