Animal Magnetism in the Backcountry

What better way to celebrate the month of love than by exploring animal magnetism right here in the Backcountry Wilderness Area?

In the wild, choosing a mate is serious business. Strength, stamina, loyalty, and even a little flair all come into play. Two of our most iconic species — elk and golden eagles — put on some of the most impressive courtship displays you’ll ever see.

Let’s take a closer look.

Elk: Bugles, Battles, and Bachelor Drama

If you’ve spent time in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, you’ve probably seen elk grazing across the landscape. Our herd averages 600 individuals, depending on the season, and can (and does) travel within the green spaces surrounding the Backcountry Wilderness Area.

When it comes to romance, bull elk (sexually mature males) rely on both looks and performance.

Those massive antlers? They’re more than just impressive headgear. A bull’s rack helps cow elk assess his health and strength. Symmetry matters — a crooked or uneven rack can suggest poor health, while a large, balanced rack signals a strong potential mate.

Each September and October, bull elk enter the rut — their breeding season. During this time, testosterone levels surge as bulls compete to gather harems of 15–20 cows. Before resorting to physical fights, bulls try to intimidate one another with dramatic displays: the iconic bugle echoing through the hills, thrashing shrubs and small trees, strutting, and pacing.

Most bulls prefer to avoid sparring. Locking antlers and pushing head-to-head is exhausting and risky. But when neither competitor backs down, they’ll clash until one finally yields and retreats.

We caught glimpses of dominance displays outside of rut season. In the summer, bulls live in bachelor herds. We’ve captured footage of two bulls briefly locking antlers — more of a practice round than a full battle. The less-dominant bull eventually backed off and rubbed his antlers on a nearby tree, signaling he wasn’t a threat. Compared to the intensity of fall, these summer encounters are relatively gentle.

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Come September, though, the stakes — and the volume — rise dramatically.

Golden Eagles: High-Altitude Courtship

While elk keep their romance on the ground, golden eagles take theirs to the sky.

Here in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, we’re fortunate to have a mated golden eagle pair that has nested on Wildcat Mountain for more than a decade. Golden eagles often maintain multiple alternate nest sites and rotate between them. Our pair has shown remarkable loyalty to the same rocky cliff year after year moving between two nest sites.

Our mated golden eagle pair at the Backcountry Wilderness Area's Wildcat Mountain.

Even long-established pairs continue elaborate courtship rituals each season. In the Denver metro area, mating season begins in early March. During this time, you might see the pair soaring together in breathtaking displays — swooping, circling, diving from high altitudes, locking talons mid-air, and even passing objects back and forth while airborne.

These aerial performances help reinforce their bond before nesting season begins.

They also work together to build and maintain their nest — and these structures are no small feat. A golden eagle nest can grow to more than six feet in diameter over time. Built high on a cliff face, it’s both a nursery and a testament to teamwork.

Love in the Backcountry

From bugling bulls competing across open meadows to eagles spiraling through the sky above Wildcat Mountain, the Backcountry Wilderness Area offers a front-row seat to some of nature’s most incredible courtship behaviors.

If you’re interested in seeing these displays in action, consider joining us for a Golden Eagle Viewing program in May or an Elk Bugling Hike in September and October.

Nature’s love stories are unfolding all around us — sometimes you just have to pause, listen, and look up.

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Christy Farrell is the Environmental Education Coordinator for the Backcountry Wilderness Area. With a passion for both sharing and immersing herself in the wonders of the natural world, she loves guiding curious explorers through the trails and sharing what makes this place special. Her background in elementary education and zoology fuels her mission to connect people, especially children, to the outdoors, fostering a sense of wonder and stewardship. Join Christy as she wanders, wonders, and explores the wild side of the Backcountry Wilderness Area!