How is the story of tule elk tied to the story of California? What’s the difference between a grazer and a browser? Why do tule elk have such big feet? How much grazing is the right amount of grazing? Why do elk bugles sound like something straight out of a horror movie?  

Come with me and Orlando Rocha as we strike out in search of tule elk in the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, and then join me and Tom Batter as we discuss the ecological importance of tule elk along with the ties between their story and the story of California. 

Historic range of California elk subspecies

Current (2017) range of California elk subspecies

Read more about Henry Miller, “the cattle king of California”

Thank you so much to Steve Shepard of The Natural Curiosity Project podcast for sharing the elk bugle audio. 

Tule Elk photo by Katie Booth / National Park Service

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Merch 

Listen next: ⁠Central Valley Water and Wetlands with Ellen Wehr⁠