It’s Elk Mating Season in Canmore and Banff. Here’s What to Do If One Charges

If an elk charges, do not run, turn your back or play dead.

Make yourself appear larger, maintain eye contact and back away slowly. If possible, put a tree, vehicle or large rock between yourself and the animal. Use bear spray if you have it and the elk continues to charge.

If you are knocked down, get up and move toward cover, according to Nick de Ruyter, WildSmart program director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.

But those instructions are a last resort. De Ruyter said avoiding the encounter altogether is far safer.

He said most incidents result from “poor choices made by people.”

That can include trying to pass an elk on a trail, approaching it for a photograph, feeding it or allowing a dog to run off-leash nearby.

Bull elk become particularly protective of the females around them during the fall mating season. Parks Canada issued an advisory on Aug. 28, warning that the rut, the annual period when elk mate, is underway and expected to continue until mid-October.

People should never walk or park a vehicle between a bull and the females it is guarding.

Stop, Talk and Walk

De Ruyter teaches three words for responding to an elk encounter: “Stop, Talk & Walk.”

Stop moving, take out your bear spray and gather your group. Do not run or pull out a camera.

Talk calmly to the elk to appear non-threatening, then walk slowly away without turning your back.

If the animal approaches aggressively, raise your arms or hold up a jacket, umbrella or another large object to appear bigger. Maintain eye contact and continue backing toward cover.

“If there is nothing nearby to hide behind, use your bear spray if you have it,” de Ruyter said.

Is 30 metres enough?

Parks Canada and the Town of Canmore tell people to remain at least 30 metres, or about three school bus lengths, from elk.

De Ruyter recommends a larger buffer during the rut.

He said people should remain at least 100 metres, or about 10 school bus lengths, from elk, particularly during rutting and calving seasons.

His recommendation is more cautious than the official minimum. De Ruyter said bull elk are unpredictable during the rut and people should not risk approaching more closely.

Warning signs include staring with flattened ears and raised rump hair, circling or following, curling the lips, grinding the teeth, barking or grunting, pawing the ground, thrashing bushes or lowering the antlers.

Anyone who sees those behaviours should leave immediately.

Dogs increase the danger

Elk may perceive dogs as predators such as wolves or coyotes.

De Ruyter said cow elk have charged leashed and off-leash dogs from more than 100 metres away when they perceived the dogs as a threat. He recommends taking the same precautions around bull elk during the rut.

Dog owners should change direction as soon as they see an elk, keep their dog under control and never try to squeeze past the animal.

The danger is not limited to the fall. De Ruyter pointed to a May 25, 2025, incident near the Elk Run baseball diamonds in which a cow elk protecting a calf killed a dog.

He identified several Canmore areas where people should be especially alert, including Millennium Park, Lions Park, Elk Run Park, West Canmore Park, Benchlands Trail and river pathways around the Engine Bridge and Larch area. View map here.

In Banff, those areas include Bow Falls, the Golf Course Loop, Central Park, the recreation grounds and the soccer field near the Banff Springs Hotel. View map here.

Aggressive elk encounters in Canmore, the wider Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country should be reported to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. Incidents in Banff National Park should be reported to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

“They are unpredictable and could attack you whether you are on your bike, walking, or in your vehicle,” de Ruyter said.