GATLINGBURG, Tenn. – No drums, just bugles.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting for its Elk Bugle Corps – a play on words alluding to the bugling call of bull elk during mating season.
Volunteers are trained to answer questions park visitors ask about the elk herd in Cataloochee Valley on the North Carolina side of the park.
Last year, about 80 people volunteered, putting in a combined 7,000 hours and speaking with 85,000 visitors.
Each volunteer is asked to work at least two scheduled, four-hour shifts per month from the second week in May through November. There are orientation and training sessions in April.
Potential volunteers are asked to e-mail Ranger Mark LaShell at mark-lashell(at)nps.gov or call him at (828) 269-3161.