23-SEP-2014
River Hiking for Elk
Buffalo National River is bounded by public land so it is legal to hike up and along the river. During elk season many veteran photographers will hike the river to get crossings and river reflection shots of wading elk. Landscape photography along the rive is also outstanding. Here are a few pointers. It is useful to have at least over-the calf height boots for river hiking. With care you can hike along gravel bars and keep the wading depth to below 18 inches. I often use hip boots for a little additional margin of error. YOu will definitely want felt soles or felt with studs to manage slippery rocks. Remember small rocks and gravel offer better footing than big rocks. Move slowly and use a wading staff -- I use my monopod or tripod as a wading staff. When I can get on an elk trail and out of the water I do. Falling and wrecking equipment or getting hurt is too great a risk. If you see a solid rock bottom, thinking skating rink, it will be very slippery. If you follow my work you will see many river pictures. Most of them were taken by hiking up and down the river. River Hiking is strenuous and hazardous, but can yield amazing results. I have photographed elk, turkey and whitetail deer crossings from the river. A good rule of thumb is to move slowly and deliberately and assume every stone is slippery or unstable. That will serve you well.
22-SEP-2014
Maverick Bull 2014 Elk Rut
This big guy is alone for now, but will no doubt show up to challenge a herd bull. He had the body mass. I think I remember him from last year's rut. He is within a half mile of where he ran a herd last year, just south of the Boxley Mill Pond. I expect him to show up any day. For now he is alone in the woods.
Chat Room Implemented @ ArkansasasWildlifePhotography.com
http://arkansaswildlifephotography.com/phpchat/ This is a live chat room open most evenings after 8PM to answer questions about photography in the Buffalo National River Region. I am testing it today 9/21 at noon. Stop in and say hi. Michael Dougherty, Compton, AR.
09/21/14
September 21 Elk Viewing Report
The peak of the Arkansas elk rut is still a a couple of weeks away, but elk viewing and photography is better with each passing day. This morning there were 2 rutting herds, 1 at each end of Boxley Valley. The herd at the south end of the valley had 4 challenger herd bulls hanging around and there was evidence that there had been a bull fight. There will be more until the current herd bull is replaced. Elk viewing was over by 9:00AM. For reliable viewing it is important to get to the valley at dawn, about 7AM or before. Elk dislike heat and sunlight and they are usually gone from the fields shortly after sunrise.
9/20/14
Elk Herd Report & Location Map, Boxley Valley, Ponca, AR
This morning there was a single rutting bull and his harem in Boxley Valley. There was no bugling. This particular location marked by the date 9/20. This location has been the site of bull fights in recent years. Those fights are most frequent around October 1 when the biggest bulls arrive to join the rut. For now we have the early bulls who seldom prevail in the fights and become satellite bulls around the edge of the herds. There was a nice crowd watching and photographing the elk this morning in light fog. Arkansas remains the best kept secret for photography and wildlife. We also have the most viewable elk herd in the south. This is a great destination for photographers. If you are interested in visiting please contact me for advice I answer all emails. comptonphotographer@gmail.com.
Ideal setup for a bull elk fight
This little map shows details for Zone 5 in Boxley Valley. This field currently has a nice bull in it with a couple of dozen cow elk. The back of the field is cut with trails to the river where the elk go to drink. Challenger bulls roam up and down the river and will challenge herd bulls in Zone 5 for their harems. The setup is ideal now. 2 years ago there was a great bull fight in this field between the biggest herd bulls in the valley. There is a great video of it taken by my wife Mandy. It was amazing to witness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4Pb_s1SG1o These two huge bulls began their fight in the river as shown in the attack points arrows, before they ran up to the field to finish the fight. The challenger bull is still alive and could well show up again. These fights are something you will want to photograph. It is a treat to see one. Conditions are ideal now, there is a bull with cows in the field, and around the end of September the big bulls come down the river to join the rut. This is prime bull fight season.