As long as animals remain completely wild there is little danger from
them. The majority of mammal species are small, rare, secretive, or
nocturnal, so for these or other reasons they may not easily be seen.
They will try to avoid contact with people, and your problem will be to
find them and to get close enough to see them well, without disturbing
them. To do this, it is necessary to study their habits and to meet them
on their own terms.
There is no scarcity of animals in Olympic; but the conditions for
seeing even the larger ones, such as elk, deer, and bear, are not as
favorable as in Yellowstone National Park, for instance. Olympic has
less open country where unobstructed views may be enjoyed, especially in
the lowlands. Even in the high country the rolling or rugged topography
allows animals to move quickly out of sight behind ridges or rock
outcrops.
Do not let these difficulties discourage you. The following suggestions
may help you to see some of the more interesting mammals:
The ROOSEVELT ELK is also popularly known as the Olympic elk, because
the largest remaining herds of this animal are on the Olympic Peninsula.
The number here totals approximately 6,000 animals. These elk, however,
still are found in various other parts of their original range, which
includes the coastal forests from southern British Columbia to northern
California.
The elk is the largest of the American deer family, except the moose.
The bulls sometimes weigh as much as 1,000 pounds and the cows, 700.
Both sexes have a heavy brown mane and a pale, yellowish rump patch. The
bulls carry antlers, which are shed in late winter.
[Illustration: ROOSEVELT ELK IN A LUSH MOUNTAIN MEADOW IN OLYMPIC’S
WILDERNESS.]
Generally, the elk spend winters in the lowland forests and summers in
the higher mountain meadows. Many of them, however, remain in the
lowlands even in summer, so that it is possible to see elk in some of
the western valleys of the park the year round.
During certain times of the year they are vocal. In May and June when
the calves are born the cows sometimes bugle, and more frequently the
calves give a high-pitched squeal.
Elk are polygamous and during the rutting season a bull will gather a
harem, consisting of a few to a dozen or more cows, which he attempts to
hold against all other bulls. There is much bugling by the bulls
then—thrilling wilderness calls. You will probably recognize the source
of this call the first time you hear it. The bulls become less shy
during the rutting season and will permit closer approach. This should
be done cautiously, however.
Almost any high-country meadow, except in the north to northeast part of
the park, may hold a herd of elk from July through September. Cows,
calves, and yearlings gather and remain in large herds until split up by
the bulls when the mating season begins in the autumn. During summer,
bulls remain apart from the cows, either in small groups or alone. The
rutting period lasts from early September to mid-November, tapering off
in the last month.
When the snow deepens in the mountains the elk that have summered in the
high country come down into the valleys, where they gather in herds that
may number 50 or more animals.
The COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER is one of the most frequently observed
larger mammals. Usually, it is seen in the early morning, late
afternoon, evening, and often at night—the preferred feeding times. It
remains bedded down in some secluded spot during much of the day. Anyone
driving in western Washington at night is likely to see a deer suddenly
bound out of the forest onto the highway. Where highways pass through
localities having large deer populations, signs warn motorists of this
danger.
In summer, deer prefer the upper Hudsonian zone, where forest and meadow
mingle to provide both nutritious food and nearby secluded shelter.
Hurricane Ridge and Deer Park are favorite summering grounds, and a
visit to either area at deer mealtime is likely to be rewarding.
With encouragement and repeated opportunities to sample human food, a
deer will become “spoiled”—a beggar lacking the sleekness and alertness
of a wild creature. It is then no more than a specimen—like a plucked
flower about to wilt. Also, it is potentially dangerous to the person
who tries to feed it, for it can, and may, strike damaging blows with
its sharp hooves. In the autumn mating season, males, “tame” or wild,
can be dangerous.
BLACK BEARS may be seen from sea level to alpine meadows in summer and
early autumn. The socially disinclined bear travels alone, except for
the mother with cubs. However, several bears may be in the same
neighborhood for the same reason—food. From a ridgetop, the sleek, black
forms may be seen against the green of the lush meadows below, where
they search out ants, small rodents, and succulent herbage of various
kinds. On mountain slopes covered with ripened huckleberries in late
summer, bears become so engrossed with gorging on the delectable fruits
that they may be stalked from downwind. A bear’s keen nose quickly
distinguishes nonwilderness odors. Should a shifting breeze waft a scent
message his way, you will have to find yourself another bear to stalk. A
bear’s hearing is good, but his vision is less acute.
[Illustration: COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED BUCK.]
Bears frequent valley bottoms and other lowland areas during late
autumn, winter, and spring and may be seen along streams during salmon
runs. Apparently, bears in the Olympics do hibernate, but the mild
winters make a long dormancy unnecessary. It appears that all Olympic
bears are black—the brown pelage phase has not been reported.
A black bear is not a dangerous animal unless he has learned to seek
food from people or from their camps. Although a mother bear with cubs
is not to be trifled with, a bear without those family responsibilities
is easily frightened by a shout or other sudden loud noise.
[Illustration: DEER FAWNS ARE COMMONLY LEFT ALONE WHILE THE MOTHER
FEEDS.]
OLYMPIC MARMOTS live just above or below timberline usually near
well-watered meadows bordered by alpine fir clumps. Some are found on
windswept ridgetop meadows or on rockslide areas. Marmots come out of
hibernation in May and remain active until early September. They are
most active in the early morning or evening during warm summer days.
They have many burrows, which are easily spotted on alpine meadows.
While they may feed long distances from their home dens, they are seldom
far from burrows down which they can scurry at the first sign of danger.
Although marmots can best be seen and photographed on Hurricane Hill or
Deer Park, they also occur in other high-country locations. The marmot
blends well with his surroundings. You may not be aware of his presence
until you hear his shrill alarm whistle, which at first you may mistake
for a human whistle. It is so frequently heard in marmot territory that
the name “whistler” has been given the animal.
[Illustration: OLYMPIC MARMOT LIVES IN BURROWS AND ROCKPILES NEAR
TIMBERLINE.]
[Illustration: BLACK BEAR. AN UNSPOILED ANIMAL IN ITS NATIVE
WILDERNESS.]