Frequently Asked Questions
Elk in Wisconsin

• Are elk native to Wisconsin?
• What was the four-year study?
• Where are the elk now? How many are there?
• What else has the study shown?
• Will the population eventually expand statewide?
• Will elk compete with white-tailed deer?
• Won't elk cause agricultural damage?
• Will there be elk viewing areas?
• Will elk damage native vegetation?
• How will it be decided if and when there will be additional releases of elk?
• Does reintroduction of wild animals pose a health risk to other wildlife or domestic livestock?
• Will there eventually be public hunting opportunities with the elk herd?
• Since there are so few elk, are they classified as endangered or threatened?

Are elk native to Wisconsin?

Historically, elk ranged over the entire state. They were wiped out around the turn of the century by over-hunting. Although elk primarily inhabited the prairie/savannah lands of the southern portion of the state, most of the currently suitable elk habitat is in the north. This change is due to the large scale conversion of land in the south from prairie to agriculture.

What was the four-year study?

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point undertook the experiment with funding from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In 1995, 25 radio-collared elk were released into the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest just south of Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The Researchers have been following their movements with radio-telemetry and studying their survival, reproduction, feeding habits, and dispersal. In May of 1999, the University completed its field work and responsibility for monitoring the herd.

Where are the elk now? How many are there?

Although the researchers identified over 300 miles ² of core elk range within the 700 mile ² study area, the elk are only using about 40 miles ² of the study. They have stayed relatively close to the release site south of Clam Lake. Since 1995 when there were 25 animals released, the population has grown to about 80-90 elk.

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What else has the study shown?

The research to date shows that the study area provides suitable habitat for the elk herd. The winters of 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 were two of the hardest on record. Despite this, the herd survived. Possibly as a result of the unusually cold, snowy winters and younger aged breeding bulls, reproduction was lower the first two years of the study. From 1997-1999, however, birth rates were as expected. Dispersal, monitored using radio telemetry, has been moderate to date.

Will the population eventually expand statewide?

The Department of Natural Resources is not undertaking a statewide reintroduction. Elk will be managed in a few relatively small, localized herds.

Will elk compete with white-tailed deer?

In Michigan, where the herd reintroduction in the mid 1980's has expanded to a population of 1,300 elk, there has not been a significant negative impact on the white-tailed deer population. Michigan provides a good comparison to Wisconsin because of the similarity of the habitat in the elk range of the two states. The Clam Lake herd similarly has not negatively impacted the deer population in the Chequamegon Forest.

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Won't elk cause agricultural damage?

The Department, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, has developed a map of biologically and socially suitable elk range in Wisconsin. A prerequisite of any potential elk release area is a high proportion of public land. This will minimize the overlap between elk range and crop lands.

Will there be elk viewing areas?

The U.S. Forest Service is currently constructing two elk viewing areas for the enjoyment of wildlife enthusiasts.

Will elk damage native vegetation?

The elk study in Clam Lake has not shown any significant damage done by elk to native plants communities. Any time a species is placed upon the landscape, there will be an ecosystem effect. However, elk are a native species to Wisconsin, and have a legitimate place within the ecosystem.

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How will it be decided if and when there will be additional releases of elk?

A release protocol will be established whereby decisions will be made about further releases. Before any releases occur, there would first need to be endorsements of the proposal by local governments, preparation of a site-specific elk management plan and environmental assessment, public participation of the management plan, and approval by the Department. Currently, there is a proposal to reintroduce elk into the central forest of Wisconsin.

Does reintroduction of wild animals pose a health risk to other wildlife or domestic livestock?

Elk can be hosts to a variety of diseases just like cattle or deer. However, a strict health protocol was followed before the Clam Lake release and would be followed for any further introductions. Before any animals are brought into Wisconsin, they undergo a ninety-day quarantine in the state of capture and are tested for a large variety of diseases. There has been no indication that the Clam Lake herd has experienced any health problems.

Will there eventually be public hunting opportunities with the elk herd?

When the Clam Lake herd becomes large enough to be considered a game species, hunting will be written into the elk management plan. How many years away the prospect of hunting will depend upon the speed with which the herd grows and whether or not further introductions occur.

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Since there are so few elk, are they classified as endangered or threatened?

Elk are classified as protected, not as an endangered or threatened species in the State of Wisconsin. Since there is no hunting season on elk, it is illegal to shoot an elk. Hunters, especially in the Chequamegon National Forest, need to be able to distinguish an elk from a deer.

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