Elk

Elk, scientifically known as Cervus canadensis, are significant for various ecological, economic, and cultural reasons.

Animal Migration

Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 1

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey completed analyses necessary to map mule deer corridors, stopovers, routes and winter ranges in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. A total of 26 corridors, 16 migration routes, 25 stop-overs, and 9 winter ranges were mapped across these states and are included in

Bio-Diversity

Addressing Brucellosis Will Help Ranchers and Wildlife

Quoting the PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER (PERC) article below, “Because ranchers bear the cost of brucellosis—and the stress of the very real possibility of transmission of the disease—they are understandably reluctant to have elk on their land, which brings wildlife into closer contact with their livestock. As

Bio-Diversity

The Gray Wolf Leads the Way for Other Endangered Species

“Common sense advice on how best to advance wolf restorations, from the PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER of Bozeman Montana. PERC is the home of free market environmentalism.   NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.org and the Duluth News Tribune on November 9, 2020. It was written by

Elk

Elk Return to Kentucky, Bringing Economic Life

After a concerted reintroduction effort two decades ago, the state is now home to the largest population of elk east of the Mississippi. The animals’ home: reclaimed coal mines.

Bio-Diversity

Shy Elk and Bold Birds Become Partners in the Wilderness

“Interdependance (“mutualism”) is common in nature. Even species that are thought to be “competitive”  usually turn out to be complimentary when their relationship is fully understood.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on November 29, 2017. It was written by Joanna Klein.     Chances are that’s a

Elk

Winter Feeding Grounds for Elk in The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Can Spread, or Be Used to Control, Disease

Providing food to wildlife during periods when natural food is limited results in aggregations that may facilitate disease transmission.

breeding

On the Elk Trail: Episode 4 - "Spike"

Quoting the authors of this video, It’s migration season in Greater Yellowstone, and our trail cameras capture young male elk –  collectively nicknamed “Spike” – sparring and goofing off. These competitive behaviors prepare the spikes to mature into bulls, when they will battle for access to breeding females in the elk

Bio-Diversity

On the Elk Trail: Episode 1 - Camera Trapping

In 2018 a biologist and a filmmaker used camera traps to film the entire fall migration of an elk herd in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of western Wyoming. NOTE: this article was originally published to MigrationInitiative.org CREDITS: WYOMING MIGRATION INITIATIVE PRESENTS: IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE University of Wyoming AND

Bio-Diversity

The Marvelous Migrations of Greater Yellowstone

Pitchstone Waters Ranch is five miles southwest of the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, surrounded on three sides by national forest. Our highest priority is addressing the issues set forth in the excellent report below. It was published by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC), a free-market environmental and

Conservation

Hunting a Bull Elk in Colorado

Harvesting an old, broken warrior of a bull.

Animal Development

Managing for Better Habitat Works. Culling Doesn’t.

For decades now, state agencies, universities and wildlife managers have urged culling of so-called “inferior” bucks from herds in order to improve genetics and produce bigger trophies. Since the early 1970s, belief in the effectiveness of culling has become so widely-held it is now considered common “knowledge.”   Small-antlered “management” bucks

Bio-Diversity

Restoring Elk Country-Little Snowy Mountains Montana

Due to fire suppression and a lack of active management, forests can become unnaturally dense and overgrown…and that’s bad news for elk and other wildlife in need of quality forage and habitat. With that in mind, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest implemented a multi-year, landscape-scale project in

Animal Growth

Elk and Calves

A mother elk, her yearling calf and this year’s twins, captured in one of our newly-opened ATV trails at Pitchstone Waters.

Elk Removals Featured

Are Elk Native to Texas--Historical and Archaeological Evidence for the Natural Occurence of Elk in Texas

This paper began as an effort to persuade Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to cease its efforts to eradicate elk on the state lands which it manages in far-West Texas. Our assumption was that TPWD was acting out of a sincere misunderstanding of science, which could be corrected.

Baby Moose

Baby Moose at Pitchstone Waters

Our ATV trails attract wildlife like this little moose calf.

"Invasion Biology"

Disease Threatening Deer Population Has Spread to 26 States

According to this article, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first “discovered” in mule deer at a wildlife research facility in Colorado in 1967. Here is, as Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story.”   The so-called “discovery” occurred in the Front Range experimental station in Fort Collins. Early

Animal Development

Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Protected After Judge Bans Hunting

This well-intentioned effort harms bear restorations. NOTE: this article was originally published to USAToday.com on September 24, 2018. It was written by Trevor Hughes. The judge ruled U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials were “arbitrary and capricious” in their 2017 decision to remove the bears’ protections under the

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Country Chronicles - The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 9

Nothing is as peaceful as elk country. The sounds of nature and bugling elk ringing in the landscapes are the perfect getaway from your day. This video will provide you exactly what you need – an escape to elk country. Note: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Published on Oct 16, 2018

Bighorn

What We Know About Mule Deer Subspecies

Far-West Texas is home to the Desert Mule Deer, one of eleven subspecies of Odocoileus hemionus. Though larger than the Texas whitetail, Texas’ mule deer are smaller than their northern cousins. For many reasons, far-West Texas’ mule deer numbers have been falling irregularly for years. The many perversities of so-called

"Invasion Biology"

Strength to Hunt

Elk hunting and elk conservation are inseparable.

"Invasion Biology"

Sheep on the Mountain

A great article from TWA. At Circle Ranch, we have enjoyed considerable success with Desert Bighorn. Here is our take on how to help these majestic animals get re-established in their native range: 1. Increase water. Add a lot of water everywhere. Provide water in more locations and use “big

Bio-Diversity

Elk Country Chronicles - The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 6

Great elk video from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

"Invasion Biology"

The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 5

Another great video from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

"Invasion Biology"

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf Scientist?

The wolf debate is more about politics than economics or the environment. NOTE: this article initially appeared on NYTimes.com on July 5, 2018. It was written by Christopher Solomon. Rob Wielgus was one of America’s pre-eminent experts on large carnivores. Then he ran afoul of the enemies of

"Invasion Biology"

Supplemental Water and Feed for Desert Bighorn Sheep

Years ago I read an article by a man in the Sierra Nevada of California whose mine was being closed by the feds.  They said his mining operation was harming sheep populations.  He said, no, he had operated for many years with no problem to sheep: the problem was increased