KY's elk range was chosen because it is 93% forest, 6% open reclaimed minelands, and 1% agriculture. The ag lands are fescue pastures in very hilly country. The elk range is about 3,000,000 acres in size.
When the public was asked how they felt about elk returning, dozens of public informational meetings were held. More than 3,000 written comments were collected statewide. Of those comments 90% were in favor on a statewide basis and 99% of more than 2,000 comments from people who lived in the area were in favor. There has rarely been a project so favored by the public who actually live in project area.
You know which group was against the restoration of elk in Kentucky? The Fund for Animals, a rabid bunch of anti-hunter radicals with a regional "office" in Louisville, KY. They didn't want a game species restored. That reveals their true colors by the way, they aren't for wildlife they are simply hunter haters.
We studied the issues in AR, PA, MI, OK, MN, and WI regarding elk and the problems they might cause. The highest roadkill evidence was in Michigan where, with 600 elk in their herd they had 5-6 roadkills per year. We expected 15-16 per year in KY. I don't know if that's the number these days or not...I've been out of the loop now for 4 years.
The elk do get in some trouble, even in these lightly populated mountains. One pulled up $700 in blue plastic flowers in a mountain cemetary. Another tore hayjack out of Santa's sleigh and reindeer one winter. A State Policeman called me at home once and asked how to get an elk out of his dog kenney -- the dog had chased it in there. Lucky for me, the elk figured out how to get out before I had to get creative! They have pestered some cattle and surely they've damaged some fences. And yes, there have been roadkills. Some of the problems have occurred in areas where locals, against the law, have set up feeding stations to view the animals.
Local folks though enjoy the elk. Some will follow bulls around in the late winter waiting for antlers to drop so they can pick up a souvenir. Many become guides during hunting seasons and yes, some landowners collect tresspass fees from elk hunters. Poaching is extremely low!
Whenever someone complained about "your" elk or "your deer" referring to these animals belonging to the state wildlife agency, I always reminded them that God put them there first. Our mismanagement (people) caused them to disappear once, and we were just correcting the error.
I do sympathize with those and their families and friends who have an encounter with an elk, deer, dog, domestic cow, drunk driver, etc. on the highway. But for the grace of God there go I.
Topic: Kentucky Elk Hunt (Read 1803 times)
