The changing leaves on aspen, cottonwood, and willow trees mark not only the changing of seasons, but here, in central Montana, signal the time has come for the elk to enter their fall rut, when male elk are looking for a female mate. Each September, hundreds of elk congregate here, in the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing area, creating an unforgettable wildlife experience for those who have come to witness the spectacle in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

Large herds are visible around dawn and dusk with typical behavior for the rutting season on display. A major component of elk behavior during the rut is fighting, where bulls engage in battles for both dominance and for the ladies. These sparring matches send the sound of their antlers crashing together echoing around the area. Perhaps a more incredible sound is the bugles the bulls make. Made to show off for the cows, this breathtaking vocalization asserts superiority and warns others to stay away from his cows. You may also hear chirps, barks, and grunts during this annual mating ritual. During the peak of the rut, visitors can expect to see between 250 and 300 elk in this no-hunting zone.
The Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area is located off an excellent twenty-mile long self-guided tour, which parallels the Missouri River before climbing out onto upland prairie and rolling rangeland. Not only will the tour bring you to the viewing area, but also takes you near Lewis and Clark’s May 22, 1805 campsite.

The Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area is one of the many jewels in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, allowing visitors a front row seat to a one-of-a-kind wildlife activity.