I may be blessed, but...

Last night, after work we moved the horses into another 5 or so acre pasture. They've eaten the last one down to golf course material.
We do a fenceline walk to fix any problems. Only some minor work needed.
We figured we might as well check the next pasture, though we shouldn't need it until November.
Well, those lovely elk have broken off 8 posts at ground level, and of course, all the fencing in between. They've broken fencing in another section as well.
Fortunately, they've stayed away from the garden this year.
If you think deer are bad, add the appetite of an animal 1000 or so heavier.
I won't get into details of the two bulls that slammed into my neighbors truck with their antlers locked.
So, while they are beautiful to look at, they are destructive beasts.

I know what you mean. I had a section of fence pulled down a few years ago. I think a moose tripped over it.

I find this confusing. Are your fences meant to keep things in or keep things out, as it seems yours are doing neither. I take it elk are more the 'go through it' variety of forest dweller as opposed to the 'go over it' approach of deer? YOu have my sympathy, no one warns you about fence crashing ungulates when you decide to leave the city. There should be a Crash Course 101 offered, they crash gates, crash the garden, crash into your car.... Good luck HillBilly!

Elk are just like deer, they go over fences. Until two boys decide to play silly bugger. Then they crash into things. I couldn't build a fence tall enough to keep them out, so I opt for keeping the horses in. Pasture in the middle of the forest is like an all you can eat buffet for elk. Its also a pleasant place to sleep. They bed down here overnight regularly.
I suppose I should be thankful we haven't lost a horse to their overaggressiveness and get to post pounding.

Are you saying an elk would attack a horse, or would this be an accidental injury? Here, when the kid is out riding, she is more worried about encountering a moose than a bear. The horse don't like bears but they REALLY freak out at a moose. How do your horses react to the elk?

Last summer, not far from here, a horse went to its trough for water. I'm guessing the elk decided the water was theirs now, as 3 bulls gored that horse.
That said, George, who we no longer have, was always curious, and would trot up to them. Cochise ignores them, but I would almost guarantee he wouldn't tolerate them eating his grass if they got close. I think Lacy would flee if one got close. And my new guy, well, he's another inquisitive one.

Wow must be frustrating Hillbilly. Us city folk learned about fence manglers when we moved here. No elk probs but lots of moose and 3days after we proudly finished fencing our back field when we moved here a moose plowed through it. Last winter we had a young male that liked to hang around but didn't knock down the fences. He'd hang his head right over the top rail and stare at us (less than 30ft away!!) and the horses while I stood guard hoping he'd go away! Our gelding gets unhappy and snorts and worries until long after they've moved on but my old mare and the pony really couldn't care less. Little moose was far far too friendly and so I'd be very surprised if he shows up again. I thought moose visiting was fantastic until I had to worry about my fences! Your elks in rut be amazing but worrisome Hillbilly. Good grief I can just imagine that vehicle yikes! You paint a very nice picture with your description your place must be a slice of heaven

Yikes! And I thought bulls were hard on fence lines. Maybe you need to get some elk musk oil (I know it exists because I found a bottle in the attic shortly after we moved into this house ) and make a trail leading away from your property deep into the forest...though don't suppose that will help with those just looking for greener pastures.

Hunting season is coming.....