The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about active elk in the area after an incident that took place on the Telluride Trail, found at the ski area.

Their agency received a report of a hiker in distress on Tuesday morning involving two bull elk of a larger herd reportedly charging a man. Thankfully, no contact was made and no one was injured. A deputy did respond to the scene to assist the man in getting off the mountain.

Encounters like this tend to spike during the spring birthing season as elk become more protective of their calves. Because of this, it’s important to keep even more space between yourself and animals that may be nearby than you typically would. A great indicator of whether or not you’re too close is if an animal starts to alter its behavior – looking up from the grass they’re eating, for example. Another good trick is to hold a ‘thumbs up’ gesture on an outstretched arm – your thumb should be able to cover the entire animal and if it doesn’t, you’re too close.

In the event of an elk, moose, or deer charging, running to put a sort of barrier between you and the animal can be effective in thwarting the attack. Work to create distance while moving behind rocks, trees, and vehicles. Pet owners should also be warned that dogs can be instigators – keep your dogs on a leash and be extra cautious when you’ve got them in tow.

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