Grasses: Elk love to graze on grasses, especially during the spring and summer when they are lush and green.
Forbs: These are broad-leaved herbaceous plants, such as clover, dandelion, and wildflowers. They provide elk with valuable nutrients and vitamins.
Browse: Elk also eat woody plants, including twigs, leaves, and buds. This is especially important during the winter when other food sources are scarce.
Fruits and Berries: In the fall, elk will eat a variety of fruits and berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and apples.
Other foods: Elk may also eat mushrooms, fungi, and lichens, depending on availability.
Here's a breakdown of their diet by season:
Spring: Grasses, forbs, buds, and young shoots.
Summer: Grasses, forbs, and leaves.
Fall: Grasses, forbs, fruits, berries, and browse.
Winter: Browse, grasses, and forbs, if available.
It's important to note that elk will sometimes eat agricultural crops, such as alfalfa, wheat, and corn, which can lead to conflict with farmers.