Usually they're most active in the fall-- the exact month is hard to pin down because their periods of greatest activity cycle in a course of a few weeks depending on the start of the cool weather. If you call the center they can often give you an idea of when during the rut they're expecting the most activity, and that gives you a good chance of seeing the bulls out and bugling.
Fall is their mating season but you can find them anywhere from Renovo to Benezette year round. I live in Emporium and i go for rides over that way at least once a week and always see a couple elk here and there. I like to catch them in velvet in the spring. Anyway to me it doesn't matter what day it is, it's always a good day to see the elk.
We went the last week of September and there were dozens in the field. Make sure to book tickets for the wagon ride into the field early. It sells out. It's not expensive and you are very close to the action!
It is true, late October typically and cooler weather helps but any fall time you can see them! The visitor's center is worth the trip itself. Enjoy and hope you experience it !
Fall
The best time to visit is the early fall. Early september is usually good tovisit.
Late October
last 2 weeks of October, first 2 weeks of nov.
Definitely the fall as its runt time
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