Elk

[Axeman]

I was perusing the mnr website and came across this...

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Newsroom/La ... 80561.html

I had no idea there were elk in Ontario...not now and not back then !

[newfoundlander61]

We had one show up in Kingston last year the the ontario herd but I never managed a pic.

[Ron Luft]

The MNR has been repatriating them from western herds of AB & BC for a number of years. I'm not sure whether that is still on going or whether the are in a monitoring stage to see how they are doing. Last I'd neard was that at least 600 had been released and first indications were very encouraging.

[Napper]

An Elk was spotted near Tiny Marsh last year.

It might have been an escapee from the Elk farm at Hwy 93 Near the 400


see link


http://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.c ... ard&page=4


Napper

[Axeman]

I saw a small herd of elk a few years ago just east of Arthur on highway 89....they were crossing or attempting to cross to the north side of 89....but they were definitely escapees lol....there is an exotic farm there and it used make my head spin b/c you'd never know what they'd have in their pastures....elephants...camels...zebra...ostrich....those funky Indian cows...elk...

From what I read at the MNR site, there seems to be a population established well enough for us to start killing them. One of the populations (Lake of the Woods) doesn't seem to be doing well enough for us to kill them due to the wolf population...so if we kill all the wolves, the elk should do well enough so we can kill them too.

[farmer]

Here are some photos of the wild elk herd, just east of Bancroft. The locals don't like them as they are very tame and eat the gardens and shrubs, and cedars. I've seen 15 large elk in one small yard ripping off cedar branches. They can be quite devastrating.

[Axeman]

It must be absolutely magical to hear them bugle.

[Kin Lau]

Here are some photos of the wild elk herd, just east of Bancroft. The locals don't like them as they are very tame and eat the gardens and shrubs, and cedars. I've seen 15 large elk in one small yard ripping off cedar branches. They can be quite devastrating.

Cool pics, especially the closeup.

We watch 3 bull elk this summer in Jasper NP feeding for a little over 1hr. Prior to them showing up, I was wondering what happened to the small trees... just the three of them did a pretty good job of stripping some of the trees.

[Napper]

Hey Axeman :!:

The introduction of Elk is interesting

In the U.S. after 100 years of destructive activities by Elk and Deer throughout "JellyStone National Park"

US Wildlife services re-introduced the "Gray Wolf" to try to balance the ecosystem there.

Lucky! we still have both Red and Gray wolves in Ontario.

Napper :roll:

See link

http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/wolves.htm

[Axeman]

Hey Napper !

I followed the re-introduction of the wolves quiet closely -- the project sent out regular updates to subscribers but it ended some time in 2003 or 2004 b/c of the success of the program -- each population established far sooner than expected. The updates were really interesting b/c they accounted for each pack -- location, reproduction and demise. They also followed up on disputes with landowners and ranchers. Something I learned which I found interesting is that wolf packs don't actually spend a lot of time all together...I was surprised at how much time they spend solo or as lone wolves.

It's kinda weird to think that every one of the original released wolves has since passed and the wolves that are presnt now are several generations removed.

As for the Wapiti (I just love that word...say it 3 times fast) causing destruction to the flora...ummm...isn't that just the natural course of things? As they get eaten by predators...don't they in turn feed?

We are, so it's claimed...over run with white tailed deer up here in Grey County...almost every afternoon I get to watch a small herd of 5 deer (2 does with 3 yearling fawns) feed on my lawn....the grass will be torn up and they leave a lot of droppings....and they'll forage on various bushes around the house...but with spring, all the damage is repaired and whatever remains I figure is a fair price for being able to watch them...I would LOVE to see and hear red deer around here....

I loved the photos posted --esp. the first pic with the two males.

[surfinbird]

There are 2 or 3 Elk on a farm near Zepher just north east of the city . They are usually lounging near the road and are tagged . Not sure if they are pets or for food .
Rob