LITTLE ROCK – Elk populations once numbered in the millions and occupied habitats across most of North America. Shrinking habitat and overhunting reduced these large populations to a few persistent herds in the mountainous West. Had elk not been remarkably adaptable, they may have become extinct.

In 1981, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in cooperation with private citizens, initiated another elk restoration project in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. Between 1981 and 1985, 112 elk from Colorado and Nebraska were released in Newton County.

The AGFC monitors the elk herd with the cooperation of the National Park Service. Through field observations, records on public comments and non-hunting mortalities and harvest data, the herd is estimated at about 450 animals. Arkansas’ elk range covers approximately 315,000 acres with 85,000 acres in public ownership.

Interest in Arkansas elk increases each year. Not only in hunting these animals, but viewing them as well. More Arkansans visit the Buffalo River area each year to observe and photograph these magnificent animals, especially in late September and early October when elk are breeding. The herd will never be large compared those in western states, but these elk provide an exceptional wildlife-viewing and hunting opportunity. The future continues to look bright for elk in the natural state.

elk1Elk management in the state is a broad topic that generates a lot of passion – especially to those Arkansans most affected by their presence in north Arkansas. To address the issues, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be holding public scoping workshops in several cities. The goal is to get ideas and suggestions from hunters and the public, to be incorporated with wildlife biology essentials into a new Arkansas elk management plan.

The AGFC will use an outside facilitator to help with administering the public scoping workshops. The new elk management plan will provide goals and direction pertaining to hunting seasons, regulations and overall management of the resource. The final decision on seasons and regulations will remain with AGFC commissioners.

The first round of public workshops will be held at various points around Arkansas and are open to everyone. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. The dates and locations of the meetings are as follows:

Feb. 9, Ponca Volunteer Fire Department.

Feb. 10, Carroll Electric in Jasper.

Feb. 12, Petit Jean Electric in Marshall.

Feb. 13, Arkansas Farm Bureau in Little Rock.

The second round of public workshops will be held:

May 4, Ponca Volunteer Fire Department.

May 5, Carroll Electric in Jasper.

May 7, Petit Jean Electric in Marshall.

An elk summit will be held during the Jasper Elk Festival on June 27.

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