Kentucky Elk in Crisis

[BenP]

The population in NC has been dealing with bears from their inception. They had a poor calf recruitment at first but it has improved as they learned the area and its challenges, adapting to be more sustainable.

This article talks of a temporary better calf recruitment after removing bears from the elk area. (I assume that once the bear population regained the calf recruitment changed)

Effects of black bear relocation on elk calf recruitment at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Previous research from 2001 to 2006 on an experimentally released elk (Cervus elaphus) population at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP or Park) indicated that calf recruitment (i.e., calves reaching 1 yr of age per adult female elk) was low (0.306, total SE = 0.090) resulting in low or...

www.usgs.gov

This one talks about the elk adapting.

How a Tenacious Elk Cow Helped Assure the Smokies Herd’s Future - Great Smokies

The story of tenacious “cow number 15” and how she learned to protect her calves from predatory black bears in the Smokies.

www.greatsmokies.com

Another article talking about population and mentions bear predation in their early years and that car collisions play a factor too in their death rates.

DNA study yields new estimate of Smoky Mountain elk population

Wildlife biologists utilize radio collars, ear tags, and DNA studies to track and understand the growth of Smokies' elk populations.

smokieslife.org

So it seems like there is just a lot of denial from the wildlife agency and that habitat is a big factor as well. The elk will adapt to this predator however seems like the golden years of a huge elk population could be threatened and just how it goes. Habitat is probably a bigger driver if it doesn't allow the elk to stay safe and thrive.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I drew a KY archery tag in 2024. Hunted with an outfitter (who was awesome and I still talk to), but saw two cows the entire hunt. My guide said all these same things. Bears are out of control and doing incredible damage to calf recruitment. In addition, habitat is getting worse, especially due to an invasive plant called Kudzoo. I believe it came from Asia and it is a vine that grows incredibly fast, literally eating forests and fields. He also believes the game department is grossly overestimating the herd numbers. 13,000 was probably true 10-15 years ago. Now, 3-5,000 is probably more accurate. I was also told that some shady business has been afoot, with elk being moved secretly from public access areas to large high dollar outfitter properties, and that a senior biologist left last year due to alleged corruption. I don't have proof of that but it seems clear that the Kentucky elk are definitely in some trouble, and if not stewarded properly, one to the greatest conservation success stories of all time could turn into a disaster.