Tag: elk management

Michigan’s Elk Management Plan

By Glen Wunderlich

A new Elk Management Plan was approved by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Rodney Stokes at the April 5 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) in Lansing.  The plan incorporates an adaptive approach to management, whereby necessary changes to the plan can be implemented based on results.

Michigan’s current elk herd in an area north of Atlanta is the result of a release of seven animals from “various city parks and public institutions” in 1918 about three miles southeast of Wolverine. The herd grew steadily with estimates of 300-400 in 1939 and 900 to 1,000 in 1958.  The Department of Natural Resources (department) is officially charged with the management of resident wildlife in Michigan by virtue of a 1996 referendum requiring the department to use principles of sound scientific management in decisions relative to the taking of game.  With this in mind, the department has unveiled a new elk management plan with the following goals: Read more

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Michigan’s New Elk Management Plan Approved

Michigan’s current elk herd is the result of a release of seven animals from “various city parks and public institutions” (Stephenson 1942) in 1918 about three miles southeast of Wolverine. The herd grew steadily with estimates of 300-400 in 1939 (Shapton 1940) and 900 to 1,000 in 1958 (Moran 1973).

…while no formal objective has been defined for bull-to-cow ratio in the Michigan herd, it is believed that about 60 bulls to 100 cows is most desirable. This is about twice as many bulls to 100 cows as are in many western herds.

A new Elk Management Plan was approved by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Rodney Stokes at the April 5 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) in Lansing. The plan was developed to provide guidance for managing elk by focusing on three goals:

1)      Manage for an elk population that can be sustained by available habitat;

2)      Use hunting as the primary method to control the number of elk; their distribution so that difficulties involving elk interactions with people are abated; and the proportion of males to females in the population; and

3)      Enhance the public’s understanding of elk management in Michigan.

The planning process began Read more

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Michigan’s New Draft of Elk Management Plan

With everything in constant change, Michigan’s elk herd must be managed, as well.

The draft goals are as follows:

  • Goal 1: Manage for a sustainable elk population in balance with the habitat.
  • Goal 2: Use hunting as the primary method to control elk numbers, herd composition and distribution.
  • Goal 3: Enhance public understanding of elk in Michigan.

There is a public open house set for Wednesday, November 9 from 7-9 PM at the Eagles Hall in Gaylord; 515 S. Wisconsin Ave. Gaylord, MI 49735. The DNR will solicit public input on the draft plan at this time.

The entire plan is here:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Elk_Plan_Draft_8_26_11__2__366379_7.pdf

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