Wisconsin Elk

Wisconsin's elk herd in the Clam Lake area is expected to grow by 20 percent this year, based on state wildlife biologists' observations of new calves born in recent weeks. Biologists with the Department of Natural Resources and University of Wisconsin Stevens Point wildlife researchers monitoring Wisconsin's growing elk herd in the Clam Lake area report that the 24 elk they were watching over the spring produced 11 new calves. "Based on our experience, we estimate that a total of around … [Read more...]

This report from Wisconsin DNR and Glidden Enterprise. Wisconsin’s elk herd came through the winter in excellent condition, according to Wisconsin's wildlife officials who estimate the state herd to now be between 85 and 90 animals. Laine Stowell, a wildlife biologist and elk specialist for the state Department of Natural Resources, said that all the state’s elk appear to have survived the winter. He added, that because the weather was mild -- causing little or no stress on the elk -- … [Read more...]

The Clam Lake area elk herd is likely to reach at least 100 animals and possibly 115 following this year's calving season, a Department of Natural Resources biologist told members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) last Saturday in Hayward. "We are expecting 30 to 35 calves to be born" in late spring and early summer, said Laine Stowell. The projected population is nearly a five-fold increase over the 25 elk brought in from Michigan in 1995 as an experiment, with the goal of … [Read more...]

Spooner, Wisconsin - Conservation Wardens are investigating the shooting of a cow elk on the Chequamegon National Forest 12 miles west of Clam Lake on Saturday. The person who shot the animal turned himself in to the Department of Natural Resources claiming he mistook the animal for a large deer. The elk was shot at about 50 yards with a 12 gauge shot gun and wildlife officials estimated the animal's weight to be about 350 pounds. State Big Game Specialist Bill Mytton said it is unfortunate … [Read more...]

Clam Lake, Wisconsin. After five years of research, the Wisconsin Elk Reintroduction Study has culminated in approval of the management plan and environmental assessment for the Clam Lake Elk Herd by the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board. Wisconsin’s elk are now an official state wildlife species and will be allowed to repopulate naturally. Approval of the management plan also establishes protocol for other elk reintroductions in the state, which would use the Clam Lake plan as a model to … [Read more...]

This report from Glidden Enterprise. The Clam Lake elk herd experienced another good year in 1999. The winter of 1998-1999 was very mild, and survival of both adults and calves was good. The herd was estimated at 45-47 elk going into the calving season. At least 16 calves were born, 11 of which were captured and radio-collared within their first few days of life to allow monitoring of survival. To date, 10 of the 11 are still alive. The summer also went smoothly, with no unusual events … [Read more...]

The experimental wild elk in the Clam lake area continue to be monitored for their well- being this fall and winter as the Department of Natural Resource prepares a plan for maintaining them on the area’s public forest permanently. Sam Moore, DNR wildlife biologist who is in charge of the Clam Lake elk project, said that those elk who were outfitted with radio transmitters are checked a few times per week. Their movements are also noted. “So far, every indication we have is that their … [Read more...]

Four years of field data collection on the Wisconsin experimental elk herd was completed on 17 May 1999 but it was decided to determine elk productivity and monitor calf survivorship during the 1999 calving season to bolster the annual increment data base. Between 21 and 25 calves are destined to be born this year, depending upon the unknown pregnancy rate of yearling cows. A goal of radio-tagging 10 calves was established by the elk research team in consultation with the Wisconsin Elk Project … [Read more...]

Elk Study Interim Progress Report - 30 April 1999 Two instances of canine predation of elk occurred within the past week on the study area. Evidence at the scenes of the kills indicated that the predator, in both instances, were wolves. Elk No. 47, an 11-month-old female, was killed on 25 April 1999 between the Torch River and FS Rd 176. Elk No. 44, an 11-month-old male, was killed approximately 0.5 mile from the No. 47 kill-site on 27 April 1999. This calf of 1998 was born of Cow No. 26, … [Read more...]

Elk Study Interim Progress Report - 16 April 1999 Elk No. 32, a one-year 10-month old bull, died 14 April 1999. He was well known to the local people as the spike-antlered bull associated with snowmobile trail 9, approximately 6 miles north of Clam Lake. He spent most of the summer of 1998 with yearling bull No. 31 in the opening adjacent to the release pen. Both of these yearlings were photographed many times by many people and consequently they became conditioned and indifferent to the … [Read more...]