Massive elk breaks car window in Estes Park encounter
Video shows a bull elk in Estes Park striking a parked Honda with its antlers during rut season. The animal later returned to a group of female elk.
Andrew Powell · Oct 1, 2026 · 2 min read
A massive bull elk in Estes Park, Colorado, gave a parked Honda an unexpected makeover when it used its antlers to smash through one of the vehicle's windows.
Video of the encounter has spread across social media, showing the elk approach the idling car near a golf course before striking the vehicle with its antlers, according to KOA.
The animal then turned away, bugled, and returned to a group of female elk nearby.
The encounter happened during elk rut season, the annual mating period when bull elk compete for access to females. In the Estes Park area, the rut generally runs from mid-September through mid-October.
People watching the incident could be heard reacting as the elk attacked the vehicle.
"Oh, oh, oh, that's not good," one man said as the animal moved toward the car.
"I'm out of here, I'm done," a woman added.
The elk involved has become known locally by the names "Crash" and "Smash" because of its history of aggressive behavior toward vehicles during rut season.
The behavior may be connected to the animal's heightened aggression during the mating period. Bull elk can become territorial while competing with other males, and vehicles may occasionally be treated as potential rivals.
The golf course where the incident occurred is also a popular gathering spot for elk. Large groups frequently move onto golf courses, lawns and other areas around town during rut season.
Visit Estes Park warns that the animals can behave unpredictably during this time of year. The combination of large numbers of elk and more territorial bull behavior makes it especially important for visitors to handle encounters carefully.
Wildlife officials advise people to maintain a safe distance from elk rather than approaching or attempting to interact with them. Drivers should also remain alert when traveling through areas where the animals gather.
For visitors to Estes Park during rut season, the message is simple: give the elk plenty of room. A bull weighing hundreds of pounds and carrying a large set of antlers can cause serious damage when it decides to charge.