Final year of elk reintroduction in the Northwoods draws to a close

"We're happy to have the translocation effort complete and look forward to seeing the herd continue to grow," said Kevin Wallenfang, the Wisconsin DNR big game ecologist and elk reintroduction coordinator. "There are always challenges when holding live, wild animals for extended periods, but overall it was a successful effort and we surpassed our project goals."

"Both of Wisconsin's elk herds are doing quite well and increasing in numbers," Wallenfang said.

Wisconsin DNR worked with several key partners to release a total of 164 elk since 2015. Some were used to start a new wild elk herd in Jackson County in 2015, now estimated to be approximately at 80 elk. In addition, more Kentucky elk were added to the northern herd which was first established in 1995. That herd is now approaching 300 elk.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ho-Chunk Nation, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Jackson County Wildlife Fund, Flambeau River State Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Jackson County Forestry and Park, and several others provided funding and other support for the project.

Each year upon arrival from Kentucky, the elk received 24-hour care and monitoring while being held in a seven-acre pen during the required quarantine period. This year's quarantine was extended into early August to conduct additional bovine tuberculosis testing for one "suspect" animal. Ultimately, that animal did not have the disease and the quarantine was lifted earlier this month.

Before release, each elk is fitted with a tracking collar that will provide years of extremely useful information about elk movements, habitat preference, survival information, and much more.

Listen for elk in September

Wisconsin's two elk herds are being observed and enjoyed by many, and September is a particularly great time to make a trip to the elk ranges.

"The rut will soon be here, which means a great chance to catch a glimpse of elk and hear them bugling," Wallenfang said. "Traveling the area at dawn and dusk will offer the best opportunity. The bulls will start bugling in late August and continue through September as they search out females and fend off other bulls."

When viewing elk, people are reminded to keep their distance to avoid unnecessary disturbance of the elk, especially those recently released into the Flambeau River State Forest, which will be settling into the area for several weeks.