Elk & Bison Prairie – Land Between the Lakes

12 Apr 2018

Strutting through the Elk and Bison Prairie

Elk & Bison Prairie, WildlifeEBP, Elk & Bison Prairie, Kentucky, land between the lakes, LBL, tennessee, turkey, wild turkey

Some folks seem to forget that the Elk and Bison Prairie is also home to lots of other wildlife. For example, this was a good morning to see wild turkeys, which happen to be in the mood for their spring breeding season. This is the time where the male turkeys (gobblers) like to show off their prowess to the neighborhood females (hens) by fanning out their tail feathers and puffing out their body feathers and ‘strut’ to show off how handsome they are to the hens and how big and mean they look to other competing gobblers… kind of like…

15 Mar 2016

By LBL_Admin

Antler Shed Season

Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Field Guide, Volunteer, Wildlifeantler, Elk & Bison Prairie, Kentucky, land between the lakes, shed, tennessee, watching wildlife, wildlife-viewing

Submitted by Patricia Skibko, Wildlife Apprentice If you want to see elk with their antlers, come now to the Elk & Bison Prairie. Each year bull elk lose their antlers in the early spring. Antlers typically fall off independently of each other. Usually both shed within about one week. They take a lot of punishment through fights with other bulls during the mating season. When elk lose their antlers, new ones start growing almost immediately. Throughout a bull’s lifetime each new set of antlers grown are larger than the last. Elaborate antlers are an indicator that an elk bull is…

21 Oct 2015

By LBL_Admin

Your Next Adventure

Camping, Community, Customer Service, Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Homeplace, Nature Station, Planetarium, Recreationday-use, Elk & Bison Prairie, farm, history, homeplace, Kentucky, land between the lakes, nature, Nature Station, planetarium, Roundabout U, tennessee, turkey bay, videos, what to do at Land Between The Lakes

Where will your next adventure be? When you plan your next vacation at Land Between The Lakes check out Murray State University’s weekly video magazine, Roundabout U, to learn about some of the fun places at Land Between The Lakes. Energy Lake Campground www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJX4fdVOsYk Elk & Bison Prairie www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9HKZ1ntkUo Homeplace 1850s Working Farm www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyCsR5GSYwc Planetarium & Observatory www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzcJhgKFaiw Turkey Bay Off Highway Vehicle Area www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkAHost5nk0 Woodlands Nature Station www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTmmvEiOoMQ Wranglers Campground www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKHM8jGRWNQ Land Between The Lakes 50th Anniversary (15 minute) www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiyYoTi93-Q&feature=share&list=PLh2WN5RXh1NS9nYjfC1s4dX5rwO28TTt4&index=5 Land Between The Lakes 50th Anniversary (3 minute) www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-j5-ZYmseM&feature=share&list=PLh2WN5RXh1NS9nYjfC1s4dX5rwO28TTt4&index=4 With more than…

10 Sep 2015

By LBL_Admin

Indian Grass at the Elk & Bison Prairie

Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Field Guide, PlantsElk & Bison Prairie, grass, Kentucky, land between the lakes, native plants, tennessee

Submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes If you have driven around the Elk and Bison Prairie in recent days, you may have noticed an abundance of grass seed heads within native grass areas. This year seems to have favored Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) in many fields. You can identify it by its golden hue and large feather-like seed head. It is a widespread native plant that is often a major component in tallgrass prairie habitats. It can grow up to 8 feet tall or more, but we typically see it closer to 5 feet or so. The…

18 Aug 2015

By LBL_Admin

Elk are Shedding Velvet

Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Field Guide, Wildlifebreeding, elk, Elk & Bison Prairie, Kentucky, land between the lakes, tennessee, velvet

Submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes Some of you may notice that several of the elk are losing their velvet, which is the fuzzy growing layer that covers their antlers from spring until…about this time of the year. The elk’s antlers are more brittle during this growth time. Once the velvet stops growing, the elk start to rub it off using branches and tree trunks. The antlers will harden completely in time for the breeding season, well-polished and ready to fight. Come on out and see if you can spot one!

13 Jun 2014

By LBL_Admin

First Elk Calf of the Season

Customer Service, Elk & Bison Prairie, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlifebaby, bison, Bugle Corps, calf, cow, elk, Elk & Bison Prairie, predators, wildlife, wildlife watching, wildlife-viewing

Story submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area-- As spring turns into summer, bison at the Elk & Bison Prairie have been producing calves almost every week since early April. Memorial Day weekend marks the time that elk normally start producing their calves at the Elk & Bison Prairie. The first calf was seen on June 8; however, there are likely a few others hiding in the bushes. Bugle Corps staff have spotted 4 elk calves so far over the past week. This week, we located one of the newest calves and tagged it…

30 May 2014

By LBL_Admin

Wildflowers Bloom at Elk & Bison Prairie

Elk & Bison Prairie, Plants, Restoration, Stewardship, WildlifeElk & Bison Prairie, fire, habitat, Indian Pink, prescribed fire, wildflowers, wildlife

Submitted by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area This gorgeous stand of Indian Pink was found in an area of the Elk & Bison Prairie that had been burned during a prescribed fire at the end of March. They are blooming along a shady creekside, creating perfect habitat for wildlife. Wildflowers can be found all across Land Between The Lakes throughout the year. Take a drive or a hike to see what you can find! For more information about Indian Pink, visit http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPMA3.

Tag: Elk & Bison Prairie