Wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is in the Deer family (Cervidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 33,580 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Wapiti: observations by month (U.S.)
About Wapiti
The elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as the wapiti, is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, as well as Central and East Asia. It is often confused with the larger Alces alces, which is called moose in North America, but called elk in British English, and related names in other European languages (German Elch, Swedish älg, French élan). The name "wapiti" isFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Wapiti by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 7,829 | June | Apr–Oct |
| Wyoming | 6,061 | July | May–Sep |
| Arizona | 3,702 | June | Feb–Dec |
| North Carolina | 2,701 | July | Mar–Nov |
| New Mexico | 2,632 | July | Mar–Nov |
| California | 2,082 | June | May–Apr |
| Oregon | 2,005 | July | Jan–Sep |
| Montana | 1,545 | June | Jan–Oct |
| Washington | 1,531 | July | Jun–May |
| Idaho | 581 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Pennsylvania | 531 | October | May–Oct |
| Utah | 484 | August | Dec–Oct |
| Texas | 273 | June | May–Apr |
| Oklahoma | 233 | June | Mar–Sep |
| Nebraska | 226 | May | Mar–Oct |
| Tennessee | 218 | October | Apr–Dec |
| Nevada | 189 | October | Mar–Nov |
| South Dakota | 189 | May | Apr–Aug |
| Arkansas | 135 | October | Sep–Jan |
| Wisconsin | 83 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Virginia | 77 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Michigan | 61 | September | Jun–Oct |
| West Virginia | 56 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Kentucky | 48 | August | Jun–Sep |
| North Dakota | 44 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Missouri | 38 | May | May–Jul |
| Kansas | 20 | April | Mar–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Deer)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Wapiti?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from March to October.
Where is Wapiti most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona.