Elk in Missouri?

By- Alison Bos

         A wildlife and conservation issue is giving Missouri residents a lot to talk and think about. The issue of reintroducing elk back into Missouri is a very controversial topic that has people, especially wildlife conservationists and farmers, very involved. Recently, this particular issue was brought to my attention in one of my agriculture classes. I had never really heard about this because it has not really been heavily publicized due to other major agricultural issues in the state. To me, the idea of reintroducing elk back into Missouri is an issue that we all need to be aware of and be more educated about.

            Elk are said to have inhibited Missouri before the European settlement (Elk History and Restoration, 2010). I honestly was not aware of elk once living in Missouri, which made me even more interested in the subject. According to the North American Deer Farmers Association, elk were “extirpated in the 19^th century by a combination of unregulated hunting and habitat destruction.” Since elk have once been native to Missouri, the idea of having elk reintroduced in the state was developed.

            There have already been successful elk reintroductions in states such as Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania (Elk History and Restoration, 2010.) I have personally seen the elk that reside around the Buffalo River area in Arkansas and it was quite a memorable experience. The reason the Buffalo River area was chosen as a place to reintroduce elk was because it was an area associated with high landscape, heavy forest cover, gently sloping ridge tops, valleys, low human population and low road densities (Cartright et al., 2000). Is there similar land in Missouri like there is in the Buffalo River area? Since other states have been successful in reintroducing elk, will Missouri be also?

The current plan calls for elk to be released in southeast Missouri in early 2011. As of right now, 150 cow and bull elk will be released in the Peck Ranch Recreation Area in Shannon, Reynolds, and Carter counties of southeastern Missouri (Elk Restoration, 2010). Missouri Department of Conservation also states that this land is in fact suitable for elk because it contains forests, open woodlands, food plots and old fields. The area also has low human population. The map below shows where the elk will be introduced.

http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/animal-management/elk-restoration

            The restoration of elk in Missouri would bring many benefits. First of all, wild elk in Missouri will increase awareness of the species and would better educate Missouri citizens about the species (Wild Elk Institute of Missouri). Also, the reintroduction of elk in the states I mentioned in the previous paragraph has generated recreational and economic benefits (Missouri Department of Conservation, 2010). More people will more likely be attracted to southeast Missouri because of the elk. It will also add more diversity to Missouri’s current wildlife population. Groups, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and Appalachian Wildlife Foundation, support reintroducing elk into the state of Missouri.

           

            Even though there are great benefits of reintroducing elk into Missouri, there are also deep concerns. Groups such as Missouri Farm Bureau do not support the idea. One of the biggest fears of Missouri Farm Bureau and similar groups is the potential harm elk could have on Missouri’s livestock and farming sector. The main concern is the transfer of diseases such as chronic wasting disease, brucellosis and tuberculosis (Missouri Farm Bureau, 2010). There is also a threat for property and crop damage. With an elk’s power and strength, fences mean nothing to them. They will do whatever it takes to reach a food they desire. The idea of elk-automobile collisions is another concern. Right now, elk are only designated to reside in three Missouri counties. What is going to keep the elk from staying in their designated counties/areas (Missouri Farm Bureau)?  

            After researching the topic and sharing both perspectives on the issue, I would like to discuss my personal experiences with wild elk. Like I mentioned earlier, I had a few opportunities to visit the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. I seen several elk, which I have to admit was a very memorable experience. They truly are magnificent animals and very interesting to watch. It was very neat to see them in an area so close to my home. Even though it was a neat experience, I personally witnessed some of the destruction that occurred. I noticed right away how elk do not respect fences. They walked right through them as if they were not even there. Another issue that concerned me was the aggressiveness of the animals, especially the bulls. I visited the area during the rut season. As tourists gathered near a herd of about twenty cows and one dominant bull, the bull showed a lot of aggression/concern towards them. Any time one of his cows moved closer to the tourists, he would chase the cow then come back towards the place tourists were standing. Personally, I was very concerned for people’s safety. Everyone was a long distance away from the herd; however the bull still shown aggression.

            I encourage you to formulate your own opinion about the issue of reintroducing elk into Missouri. As with any issue, there are benefits and problems. It definitely would be neat to see elk back in Missouri since it is a part of our state’s history and culture; however it is also a problem knowing the potential danger and harm elk can cause to our livestock, crops, property and vehicles. Given both perspectives on the issue, I believe people should be aware of the issue and learn more about the entire Missouri elk restoration plan. Elk truly are magnificent creatures. Do you think they deserve to call Missouri home?

References

Elk History and Recreation (2010). In Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved November 20, 2010, from http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2010/09/elk-history-and-restoration

Elk Restoration (2010). In MDC Online. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/animal-management/elk-restoration

Low, J. (2010, October 8). Missouri Plans for Elk Restoration. In North American Deer Farmers Association. Retrieved November 20, 2010, from http://www.nadefa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=203:missouri-plans-for-elk-restoration&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=117

Missouri Farm Bureau Position on Elk Reintroduction (2010, October 13). In Missouri Farm Bureau. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.mofb.org/NewsMedia/Articles.aspx?articleID=99&searchType=search&searchTerm=elk#article

The Wild Elk Institute of Missouri (2010). Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://gunbooks.org/weim.html

Telesco, R. L., Van Manen, F. T., Clark, J. D., & Cartwright, M. E. (2007). Identifying Sites for Elk Restoration in Arkansas. Journal of Wildlife Management, 71(5), 1393-1403. Retrieved from http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2193/2005-673