Already home to the largest population east of the Mississippi River, the 2016-17 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) Elk Report indicates Kentucky now has more than 11,000 elk within its borders. Kentucky’s elk restoration zone covers 16 counties in the southeast region of the state (approximately 4.1 million acres)
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed more than $4.6 million to assist with reintroduction efforts of elk and habitat enhancement work in Kentucky. Additionally, RMEF worked with KDFWR to Kentucky as a source herd to reintroduce elk onto historic ranges in Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Kentucky’s first elk hunt was in 2001 with hunters taking six cows. A total of 910 permits were available in 2016.
See the full report here.
(Photo source: Adam Dunn)