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.