The Roosevelt Elk, named for Theodore Roosevelt, is the largest of the four remaining North American elk subspecies.  Males (bulls) average 875 pounds, but bulls weighing nearly 1,300 pounds have been found in Alaska.  Females (cows) average 700 pounds.  These elk also have the largest antlers of all elk species, reaching lengths of up to four feet with a distinctive three-point tip, or crown, and the end.  The Roosevelt Elk is also much darker than other elk species, often with a dark brown or even black neck and a tan body.

The Roosevelt Elk lives primarily on the western slopes of the Coastal and Cascade Ranges from northern California up to southern British Columbia.  The largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt Elk is in Olympic National Park in Washington State and consists of nearly 5,000 elk.  In 1928, they were introduced to the Afognak and Raspberry islands off the coast of Alaska and are thriving there.  Typically they enjoy open lands where they can walk freely and graze on grasses, however they often prefer a mix of old growth stands and edge environments.  This provides cover from the weather and predators.

These elk are seasonally migratory, spending the summer months in the mountains and on snow fields and moving to lower elevations in the winter to avoid winter storms and find food.  Bull Roosevelt Elk are known to live up to sixteen years in the wild, with some cows living up to 21 years old.