The Wisconsin
Elk
Reintroduction Project
Elk (Cervus elaphus), Wisconsin's largest native mammal, were once common throughout the state. Until the 1860s, elk roamed most of Wisconsin. When Radisson and LeSeur explored here 300 years ago, they reported an abundance of elk, and historic records show elk once inhabited at least 50 of the states 72 counties. Elk were extirpated by 1863 with the onset of human settlement. An attempt at bringing elk back to the state in the 1930's failed because of poaching.
In 1989, the possibility of reintroducing elk, moose, or caribou was explored by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). It was determined that elk were the best candidate for successful reintroduction. In 1991 several wildlife enthusiasts, led by Dr. Ray Anderson, Martin Hanson, Neil Paulson, and Dr. Orrin Rongstad, formed the Wisconsin Elk Study Committee to promote a study to determine the potential of elk reintroduction. After many local meetings brought general support to the idea, the project gained new momentum when Governor Tommy Thompson budgeted $50,000 for the study in 1993. In May of 1995, Governor Thompson opened a trailer gate releasing 25 elk into a temporary holding pen in the Chequamegon National Forest (CNF) near Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The Lac Courte Oreille Tribe of the Ojibwa Nation conducted a Native American Pipe ceremony at the historic event.
Three bulls, 11 cow and 11 young elk were a gift from the
state of Michigan, trapped from a herd near Gaylord. After releasing the herd
from the temporary holding pen on May 17, 1995, researchers from UW-Stevens
Point began monitoring t
he herd. They tracked animals with radio antennas tuned
to small solar power transmitters attached to the ears of each elk. The elk
reintroduction site is centered around clearings made for the U.S. Navys Extra
Low Frequency radio transmission lines. These openings provide valuable habitat
to grazing elk. In the summer of 1996, the herd welcomed the first native-bred
calk elk born in Wisconsin in more than a century. Today, the herd consists of approximately 120 elk.
The presence of an elk herd in the Clam Lake area benefit citizens at both the local and state level. Recreational opportunities to enjoy seeing elk are being created by the U.S. Forest Service through the construction of viewing areas. Many people will get value out of knowing elk are present, even if they never see one. There will likely be economic benefits to local economies resulting from increased tourism by people hoping to view elk. Elk hunting may also eventually contribute to local economies.
This website describes events leading up to the release of the elk, and the historic and current status of the experimental herd.
Much of the information contained within these pages was provided by
the late Dr. Raymond K. Anderson.
Other information and photos were provided by DNR
Elk Biologist, Laine Stowell, the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources,
and UWSP graduate student Melanie Hansen.
- History
of Elk in Wisconsin
- Elk Biology and Interesting Facts
- Find out about the Study Area
- Chronology of Wisconsin Elk Reintroduction Study
- Links to recent articles
- Elk calves and bear predation
- "Up for the morning bugle call"
This study is a cooperative venture between:
Project Report Archives-1994 to 2004
Apr 1994
Jun 1994
Jan 1995
Mar 1995
Aug 1995
Oct 1995
Nov 1995
Feb 1996
May 1996
Sep 1996
Jan 1997
Apr 1997
Sep 1997
Jan 1998
Apr 1998
Oct 1998
Dec 1998
Oct 1999