The American bull elk is respected amongst the Lakota Native American tribe. It was admired for its ability to attract mates, so Lakota men play a courting flute imitating a bugling elk to attract women. Men also used elks’ antlers as love charms and wore clothes decorated with pictures of elk. Elk is also known as wapiti or Heȟáka.
American bull elk shed and regrow their antlers every year. Antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds/ 18 kilograms and span 4 feet/ 1.2 meters.
