Elk Spotted In West Virginia
December 1, 2006
Elk aren’t supposed to be in West Virginia but people and authorities have spotted as many as 11 elk roaming about in Boone and Logan counties. Neighboring Kentucky has nearly 6,000 elk spread out over 16 counties that were introduced into the state a number of years ago. Kentucky’s story of elk reclamation is one of success.
Authorities aren’t really sure how the elk got into these two counties. Boone and Logan are in the southwestern part of the state but do not abutt the state of Kentucky. It is not inconceivable that the elk migrated there but is not being thought of as a real likelihood. There is an investigation into a story of a truck loaded with elk passing through that area about the same time sightings were being reported.
Tom Remington
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Tom.. I was hunting a tract of mine property in far southeastern Boone County in late October and seen several elk roaming. After I got through leaking on myself and taking a double take, i tried to get a picture of them but couldn’t get to my camera in time. Warning heresay coming up!!i talked to a security guard at the mine and the person indicated that elk were released in the area. By whom? My same question that you would have. She indicated that the mine officials released them. How many? My next question. Eight. ….Sure was a magnificent sight. It sent chills through me. They seemed to be doing okay.
Of course I have a million questions of which you probably don’t know the answers to.
Why would the mine officials release the elk? Something to do with the mine? or just because they thought it would be cool?
Is it illegal to release them?
I guess it’s not realistic but wouldn’t it be great if the elk migrated there from Kentucky?
If your hear any more, let us know.
Thanks for the comment!
IF the story is true (a big IF), I suspect the same reasons that the KY mine officials had during the initial years of the elk program in KY. Yes. It is liilegal to release them but I don’t know if they had permissionor apart of a study (not privy to the public at this time). West Virginia under cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are undertaking an el restoration study in WV. It is unclear if these stockings are related to that study. I am from southwestern WV, an know of elk reported in McDowell, Mingo, and southern Wayne Counties (Wayne is heresay from locals). There are at last count 100-200 elk in neighboring Buchanan Co, VA which probabaly migrated to the southern counties I mentioned. Elk have been in WV for several years. I just have never heard them reported this far north.