A Possible Problem With Elk In The Future.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Al may be old, but he ain't that old.

I don't know how much grass was growing in the forest. One desires of forest for lumber, aside from the fact that that is where most of the trees were, is that the grew straighter and with less branches, due to the close proximity of other trees, except for the canopy, thus producing better lumber without knot holes. Sun light didn't make it to the forest floor very often.

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/nature-viewing/mammals/elk-restoration/elk-restoration-backgroun-

[laker67]

It is rumored that elk are attracted to the smell of honey.

[ness]

I keep telling JD he needs to wall off his property. About 8 feet high ought to do it. Maybe some strategically placed arrow slits ad a drawbridge.

[Justin Spencer]

Al may be old, but he ain't that old.

I don't know how much grass was growing in the forest. One desires of forest for lumber, aside from the fact that that is where most of the trees were, is that the grew straighter and with less branches, due to the close proximity of other trees, except for the canopy, thus producing better lumber without knot holes. Sun light didn't make it to the forest floor very often.

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/nature-viewing/mammals/elk-restoration/elk-restoration-backgroun-

Before logging began fire kept much of the forest in a more savannah type state. Glades were not choked with cedars and while there was probably some thick forest on the less desirable soils much of it was interspersed with grasses. Timber Stand improvement practices that are now being encouraged call for thinning of trees which allows them to grow quicker, while allowing sunlight to the ground increasing ground cover for the benefit of all types of wildlife. Trees were still straight with less branches, but not nearly as crowded as they are today.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think a lot of the concerns about elk in Peck Ranch could be fairly easily alleviated if those with the concerns visited the area. It's not like Peck is just a normal tract of Ozark woodland. Well, much of it is, but that's far, far from the whole story. It's been specially managed for quite awhile. Much of the "habitat" where the Elk reside is actually in the planted food-plots which make up a large portion of several of the valleys in Peck. And on top of that there are significant areas of natural grassland/savannah remaining on quite a few of the mountainous slopes. There is much, much more available forage there for elk and other species than you'd expect for a typical 20,000 acre section of the deep Ozarks. It's a big part of why it's been the reintroduction site of seemingly half of the extirpated or nearly extirpated species in Missouri.

[Justin Spencer]

I think a lot of the concerns about elk in Peck Ranch could be fairly easily alleviated if those with the concerns visited the area. It's not like Peck is just a normal tract of Ozark woodland. Well, much of it is, but that's far, far from the whole story. It's been specially managed for quite awhile. Much of the "habitat" where the Elk reside is actually in the planted food-plots which make up a large portion of several of the valleys in Peck. And on top of that there are significant areas of natural grassland/savannah remaining on quite a few of the mountainous slopes. There is much, much more available forage there for elk and other species than you'd expect for a typical 20,000 acre section of the deep Ozarks. It's a big part of why it's been the reintroduction site of seemingly half of the extirpated or nearly extirpated species in Missouri.

Good to hear, I guess JD can rest easy knowing his beloved titmouse will have a place to nest for years to come.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Cry me a river. Cardinals nest within reach of lots of bird eating critters and pay the price, but still there are many cardinals. Elk aren't new to the environment, just reintroduced, so either the birds survived when they were here before, or the birds are an invasive species.

[Mark]

I, too, was under the impression that 200 years ago, the Ozark forest floor would have been covered in pine needles, and together with the canopy of the virgin pines, little growth took place on the forest floor. I have read accounts of early travellers passing through the forest floor in wagons, as the pine needles provided smooth routes through the forests. But I'm sure there would have been areas of open grasslands too, and fine pasture land for Elk.

It's hard to imagine how beautiful the Ozark forests must have been with pine trees reaching to the heavens.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think there would have been a surprising amount of open land/grasslands, if for no reason other than fire. I think we get to see that on a small scale in places like Peck where they do a good job with controlled burns. There are plenty of glades and small areas of savannah especially near the mountaintops, and I imagine that's how it was before humans became involved. But it's just a guess. What I wouldn't pay to see what the Ozarks used to look like.

[stlskyline]

I don't believe there will be much of an impact. Although iI'm no expert Peck seems to have plenty of food and area for the small herd that are there. It has been a while since I've been there. The birds will be fine. All is well, remain calm.