Huffs
Bulk Elk Vocalizations - Refresher Videos
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Huffs are breathy sounds that sound exactly as the name implies—a "huff." Bulls "Huff" by accentuating the sound of air passing over their vocal chords and
through their windpipe as they breathe. Huffs can be delivered individually, or in strings, and can range in volume from very quiet and almost inaudible, to
very loud—depending on the "intensity" of a particular situation.
Rather than making a distinct statement, Huffs seem to be more of a vocal expression of an "idea" or "feeling" experienced by a bull in a particular situation.
Most often made immediately before, while, and immediately after moving, Huffs are nearly always done by bulls seemingly intent on "doing something," or
in anticipation of that activity. That "doing something" can range from interacting with cows to approaching another bull, but most Huffing seems to occur
while bulls are interested in gathering, or maintaining, a harem (NOTE: Huffs are often associated with Glunks). In many cases, Huffs appear to be made
subconsciously by a bull, as opposed to purposefully or deliberately. Also, the volume and/or frequency of the Huffs (or Huffing) appears to reflect the level
of "intensity" or "urgency" the bull feels.
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