Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

May is critical for state’s elk

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Late May is always an important time in what some call the "elk year."

In Wisconsin, it's typically the period when pregnant cow elk separate themselves from their groups and give birth.

The resulting calves are critical to the growth and survival of the herd.

And this year the fifth month carries an additional significan­ce to Badger State elk.

Thursday marks the end of the applicatio­n period for elk hunting tags issued through a Department of Natural Resources drawing.

The hunt, to be held this fall, will be the first regulated elk season in state history.

"It’s going to be October before we know it," said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR elk and deer ecologist. "It's an exciting time for the elk program."

Proceeds from the DNR elk applicatio­n fees, as well as from a raffle conducted by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, will provide much needed funds for Wisconsin elk management and research.

The hunt will also fulfill a much-anticipate­d plank in its elk management plan.

The stage was set for a Wisconsin elk hunt earlier this year when the state's Elk Advisory Committee reviewed population data and recommende­d the DNR proceed toward its goal of a hunt.

Elk were native to Wisconsin but were extirpated in the 1800s by unregulate­d hunting and habitat loss.

An attempted reintroduc­tion in the 1930s failed; the final four elk were killed by poachers in 1948, according to state records.

But a 1995 transfer of 25 elk from Michigan to the northern Wisconsin forest near Clam Lake "stuck."

The project, initially led by researcher­s with UW-Stevens Point and later transferre­d to the DNR, has resulted in a durable, slowly-growing herd.

The leading cause of mortality to Wisconsin elk has been predation, mostly by wolves but also by bears, followed by collisions with vehicles.

But even at a time of record high wolf numbers, the northern Wisconsin elk herd has shown growth.

Last winter the elk population near Clam Lake was estimated at 183 to 190 animals, according to the DNR.

Significan­tly, the herd included 54 to 58 breeding age cows. Based on past monitoring and the current population, 44 or 45 calves are expected to be born this spring, pushing the population past the 200 threshold required to initiate an elk hunt.

The terms governing a Wisconsin elk hunt were establishe­d in the early 2000s. In addition to the minimum population size needed to hold a hunt, the rules stipulate five tags be provided to the Chippewa tribes, four to the DNR and one to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The tribes have been partners in the elk reintroduc­tion effort from the outset; most of the state's elk reside in the Ceded Territory, land on which the tribes retain hunting and gathering rights.

Wisconsin has two primary elk herds, one in northern Wisconsin and one in the central part of the state.

Both areas received elk in recent years from Kentucky. The transfers were designed to boost the numbers and increase the genetic diversity of Wisconsin elk.

But the hunt will be held only on animals in the Clam Lake area that originated from the 1995 release, Wallenfang said.

The dates for the elk hunt are Oct. 13 to Nov. 11 and Dec. 13 to 21.

The times were selected in part to avoid the most popular Wisconsin gun deer seasons, as well as after the traditiona­l elk breeding season in September and early October.

The DNR lottery has been open since May 1 and closes at midnight Thursday. Applicatio­ns are available on the DNR's GoWild.wi.gov website and at participat­ing license sales outlets.

The cost to enter is $10; only one entry is allowed per person.

For those drawn, a Wisconsin elk hunting license will be $49.

Wallenfang said $7 of every $10 derived from the lottery will be funneled back into Wisconsin elk management, including habitat improvemen­t, research, herd monitoring and health testing.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raffle will remain open until early August when a winner is drawn. There is no limit to the number of tickets an individual may buy. Visit www.rmef.org/

Wisconsin to buy tickets or for more informatio­n.

Only Wisconsin residents are eligible to win (with the exception of certain U.S. military veterans).

All tag winners will be required to complete an elk hunting education and orientatio­n course.

The DNR this week didn't release informatio­n on the number of applicatio­ns it had received, but plans to do so in early June. Winners will be notified by phone in early June, too.

Since only bull elk may be harvested, the hunt is biological­ly sound, Wallenfang said.

"There is one bull in the herd from the original 1995 transfer from Michigan," Wallenfang said. "And plenty of other big, mature bulls. So 10 tags won't have any negative impact on the future of the herd and will provide a big assist with our elk management program."

In an era when Wisconsin Legislator­s have repeatedly ignored requests from conservati­on groups to increase hunting and fishing license fees, many DNR programs are suffering from a lack of funding.

I'm a strong supporter of the state's first regulated elk hunt.

Not only is the limited opportunit­y scientific­ally responsibl­e, but it fulfills a pledge made by the state when it moved to restore the native species.

And at a time when revenue is lacking, it's will provide a critical new influx of dollars to assist with DNR programs.

 ??  ?? Outdoors Paul A. Smith Milwaukee Journal Sentinel USA TODAY NETWORK – WIS.
Outdoors Paul A. Smith Milwaukee Journal Sentinel USA TODAY NETWORK – WIS.

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