Elk in Wisconsin
History
Elk (Cervus elaphus), Wisconsin's largest native mammal, once ranged over most of North America and throughout Wisconsin. They were extirpated in the mid to late 1800's with the onset of human settlement due to over hunting and a rapid decline in habitat. Elk were last recorded in Wisconsin in the 1886 and historic records show elk once inhabited at least 50 of the state’s 72 counties. An attempt at bringing elk back to the state in the 1930's failed because of poaching and the last four elk were reportedly killed in 1948. Although, elk primarily inhabited the prairie/savannah lands of the southern portion of the state, today, 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.
In 1989 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) was directed by the State Legislature to explore the likelihood of successfully reintroducing elk, moose, and caribou. The resulting publication “Feasibility Assessment for the Reintroduction of North American Elk, Moose, and Caribou into Wisconsin” (Parker 1990) determined that an elk reintroduction effort could succeed, while reintroductions of moose or caribou likely would not.
In 1993 the Wisconsin State Legislature authorized the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP) to evaluate the potential for reintroducing elk to the Great Divide District (GDD) of the Chequamegon National Forest (CNF) near Clam Lake. During February 1995, 25 elk were trapped, held in a quarantine facility for 90 days while undergoing rigorous disease testing, and shipped to the Clam Lake release site. After being held in a pen for a 2-week acclimation period, the elk were released into the CNF on 17 May, 1995.
Management responsibility of the herd was transferred from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in May 1999.
Clam Lake Herd News
Read more about Clam Lake Herd updates.
Elk Links
- 2004 Clam Lake Elk Calendar Year Report [PDF 80KB]
- Photo Gallery
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Elk Herd in Wisconsin
- Elk Range for Clam Lake Herd
- Clam Lake Herd Elk Management Plan
- Proposed Black River Falls Elk Management Plan
- Elk Range for the proposed Black River Elk Herd
- Elk in Wisconsin Brochure
Related Links
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation [Exit DNR]
- UW Stevens Point Elk Reintroduction Study [Exit DNR]
Questions for Wildlife Management
RSS