Mdc To Restore Elk In Carter, Shannon & Reynolds Counties

[Wayne SW/MO]

Having lived in elk country I can tell you that unlike deer, confrontations with vehicles are rare. The biggest conflict is between them and cattle for available forage.

I wouldn't think they would close any trails, unless it was temporary due to calving or wintering areas.

[ozark trout fisher]

Peck Ranch is a pretty interesting place. It's neat to watch the ecological restoration over the years, they are converting much of it to savannah and some glades. The 200+ mile Ozark Trail hiking trail goes right through the middle of Peck, and they close it during some hunting seasons. I'm always worried that one of the MDC biologists will go on a bent and close the trail off for good, and I sure don't want to have to help build 15 miles of new trail just to get around Peck. Seems like it would be a fine place for Elk to live, just hope there aren't more closures over them.

Peck Ranch is awesome, and I am very glad that they are re-introducing elk there. They simply could not have picked a better area. I have spent more time there probably than anywhere else in the Ozarks, and I can say that having another native species restored-and such an iconic species at that, would make it an even better area. I really do hope that this is just the start- I would love to see them re-introduced across the Ozarks. But they could not have picked a better place to take the first step.

I do hope that they can keep the locals from killing all of the elk right off the bat. Many of the folks in that area dog deer pretty much year-round in Peck Ranch CA and I am sure they would shoot an elk if they had a chance. Before they introduce the elk, they should be sure to make the punishments extremely severe for killing them illegally, as well as making sure they have plenty of boots on the ground for enforcement.

[jdmidwest]

If they stay on Peck Ranch, things would be nice. Most cattlemen blocked it last time because of potential fence damage and disease introduction. Then there is the car/elk thing, but people survive Moose collisions in other states. And there is the CWD introduction into our deer herds that is possible. Who knows, I think they should monitor the results of Ark. a little longer to see what happens.

[ozark trout fisher]

CWD is definitely a concern, and that is why they stopped it last time, which was probably the right choice given the situation then. But they have now developed a live animal testing for elk, and that pretty much changes everything. I say they should go right ahead, but they should be careful to test the animals for the full range of diseases before release. But while I don't always agree with the MDC, they do have a pretty good record when it comes to re-introduction, so I trust they will do an excellent job.

[NoLuck]

After driving for a month out in the White Mountains of AZ at dusk and dawn, I can tell you that you don't want to hit one of those things in a car. I saw 4 of them hit within about a mile of the cabins I was staying in. I saw anywhere from 3-5 to 100 per drive back and forth from the jobsite. When you saw a deer it was just a couple you had to worry about. With Elk you had to watch for a herd of maybe 25-30 at a time.

All that being said I think its an awesome idea to reintroduce them to MO. Look at TN and what they have done. They actually have a hunt or 2 for them. I'm sure getting a tag would be like winning the lottery though.

I'll try to put a pic here of the morning I was leaving Greer AZ if I can find it.

[laker67]

Next it will be bear, mountain lion and buffalo. Why don't they give some trout?

[NoLuck]

Next it will be bear, mountain lion and buffalo. Why don't they give some trout?

We already have bear and Mt.Lions. Buffalo would be too big of a risk for cattle from what I can remember. Seems like I remember readiing somewhere that the ranchers out near Yellowstone do all that they can to keep the buffalo away from thier cattle. Some type of sickness is what I can recall.

[Trout Commander]

After driving for a month out in the White Mountains of AZ at dusk and dawn, I can tell you that you don't want to hit one of those things in a car. I saw 4 of them hit within about a mile of the cabins I was staying in. I saw anywhere from 3-5 to 100 per drive back and forth from the jobsite. When you saw a deer it was just a couple you had to worry about. With Elk you had to watch for a herd of maybe 25-30 at a time.All that being said I think its an awesome idea to reintroduce them to MO. Look at TN and what they have done. They actually have a hunt or 2 for them. I'm sure getting a tag would be like winning the lottery though.I'll try to put a pic here of the morning I was leaving Greer AZ if I can find it.

Nice photo!

I am anxious for elk to be restored and support the idea. They are breathe taking creatures.

[skeeter]

Yep, Bear and Cougars are here and well documented. They aren't really sure where the Cougars are coming from yet and DNA testing continues when possible. Bear are from our friends in Arkansas. Buffalo are raised by several private ranchers and I haven't heard of any busting through the fencing yet but it will happen eventually.

Just hope that MDC has thoroughly researched the Elk re-introduction a lot better than what happened with the Otters.

[awhuber]

For what its worth...The MDC voted today at their meeting in Kirksville to introduce rocky mtn elk to Peck ranch.

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/conservation-commission-approves-elk-restoration-plan