Making History: Wild Elk Are Back in Missouri
On May 5, 2011, a small herd of wild elk arrived in southeast Missouri. They had travelled overnight in the cool and arrived at 6:30 am at their destination. These animals represented the first time that wild elk had resided in the state in more than a century and a half.
The elk herd was imported from Kentucky.
The animals had spent the past three months living in isolation in Kentucky after they had been captured there for transporting to Missouri. This time had been used to make sure that the animals were healthy and strong. The herd total 28 cows and calves along with six bulls. They would spend the next two weeks in separate pens becoming acclimated to their new surroundings.
The elk were released into the wild after a short time to get used to their surroundings.
At the end of two weeks, the elk were soft-released into their new home. Soft-release is the method by which the pen gates are opened at night so that the elk can "escape" at their own time and on their own terms. This technique has been found to make the animals stay in the vicinity rather than bolting to parts unknown. Each member of the herd has been equipped with electronic devices so that they can be tracked and monitored.
The elk herd will reside in portions of the Missouri counties of Reynold, Shannon, and Carter.
Their new location is the 23,000 acres of the Peck Ranch Conservation Area. Ultimately, they will be able to roam the entire 346-square miles of the elk restoration area that includes the Peck Ranch Conservation Area. This area has been groomed for the preservation and restoration of several species of wildlife in the state.
Extensive preparation has gone into making a Missouri elk herd possible.
This area has been targeted for the restoration of a wild elk herd for over 30 years by the Missouri Department of Conservation working with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) which has helped to fund the effort to bring elk back to the state. The RMEF is also helping to monitor the elk and advise the conservation department about how to proceed with the elk seeding to maximize the chances of building a strong elk population in Missouri.
Public sightings and future hunts will become a part of the restoration project.
The elk will be shielded from the public for a few months until the calves have all been born and adapted to the area. The Peck Ranch will be closed to the public during this time. By August, the area should re-open so that people will begin to have an opportunity for sighting the wild elk. Eventually, the herd will be managed by allowing elk hunting to resume in Missouri. The first hunts could happen as early as 2015 if all goes well.
References:
Low, J. 2011, Missouri Conservationist. "Elk Return to Missouri," 72(6).
The elk herd was imported from Kentucky.
The animals had spent the past three months living in isolation in Kentucky after they had been captured there for transporting to Missouri. This time had been used to make sure that the animals were healthy and strong. The herd total 28 cows and calves along with six bulls. They would spend the next two weeks in separate pens becoming acclimated to their new surroundings.
The elk were released into the wild after a short time to get used to their surroundings.
At the end of two weeks, the elk were soft-released into their new home. Soft-release is the method by which the pen gates are opened at night so that the elk can "escape" at their own time and on their own terms. This technique has been found to make the animals stay in the vicinity rather than bolting to parts unknown. Each member of the herd has been equipped with electronic devices so that they can be tracked and monitored.
The elk herd will reside in portions of the Missouri counties of Reynold, Shannon, and Carter.
Their new location is the 23,000 acres of the Peck Ranch Conservation Area. Ultimately, they will be able to roam the entire 346-square miles of the elk restoration area that includes the Peck Ranch Conservation Area. This area has been groomed for the preservation and restoration of several species of wildlife in the state.
Extensive preparation has gone into making a Missouri elk herd possible.
This area has been targeted for the restoration of a wild elk herd for over 30 years by the Missouri Department of Conservation working with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) which has helped to fund the effort to bring elk back to the state. The RMEF is also helping to monitor the elk and advise the conservation department about how to proceed with the elk seeding to maximize the chances of building a strong elk population in Missouri.
Public sightings and future hunts will become a part of the restoration project.
The elk will be shielded from the public for a few months until the calves have all been born and adapted to the area. The Peck Ranch will be closed to the public during this time. By August, the area should re-open so that people will begin to have an opportunity for sighting the wild elk. Eventually, the herd will be managed by allowing elk hunting to resume in Missouri. The first hunts could happen as early as 2015 if all goes well.
References:
Low, J. 2011, Missouri Conservationist. "Elk Return to Missouri," 72(6).
Published by Allen Teal
Experienced writer in online and journal type publications. I have also done home remodelling and construction. I have a pretty good grasp of car repair, personal relationships, parenting, outdoor life, r... View profile
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