OLYMPIA, WA. – The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning drivers to be on alert as the rut has begun for our local elk.

They say the elk are especially active and distracted as they enter their mating season so drivers should keep an eye out from evening to early morning hours.

Though Whatcom and Skagit counties are home to the smallest of the ten recognized elk herds in the state, there is still reason to be wary on our rural highways.

They estimate a minimum of 200 collisions occur each year with elk, with especially high rates along State Routes 20 and 525.

The rut typically lasts into mid-October.