The elk rut is impressive!This highly active mating season leads to a system of dominance determined by tenacity and testosterone. On this particular morning a bull was ‘fired up’ as daylight broke – brief moment of contrast that quickly disappeared. The humidity illuminated the exhaled breath of the bull’s exhaled piercing whistle, known as a bugle, during the rut. Rutting bull elk make a variety of sounds but their bugle is the most recognizable, signifying territory and dominance as they assemble their harem of cows.