Extirpation and Reintroduction: The Story of Elk in Pennsylvania, USA

Bull elk, north Kettle Creek State Park, Pennsylvania.

For those of us who enjoy spending as much time as possible outside, there is something special about seeing animals in the wild, especially large animals.  And for those of us living in the Eastern United States, these opportunities are rare, though I did see three moose while I lived in Maine, including two bulls.  So when I returned to Pennsylvania for a bit, I had to get out and see the elk herd in north-central Pennsylvania.  I grew up in PA, and while I have known about the wild elk wandering around Elk and Cameron Counties for years, I had yet to actually get out to that part of the Commonwealth, and see some Pennsylvanian elk.  I have seen elk before, in New Mexico (Cibola National Forest, San Mateo Mountains on the flanks of Mt. Taylor), California (Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti), Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park nestled in Redwoods National Park), Montana (National Bison Range), Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim, Desert View Campground), Tennessee (Great Smoky Mountains National Park), and in Wyoming (Yellowstone National Park). They are huge, and majestic, especially the bulls, which can weigh up to 330 kg (though a male Roosevelt elk can weigh up to 540 kg, or more), supporting huge racks, antlers with up to eight or more tines per side.

The history of elk in PA is interesting, and good example of extirpation, and a successful reintroduction and conservation program.  The example of elk in Pennsylvania is also a good illustration of the “issues” faced when trying to reintroduce a large mammal into parts of its former range.  Eastern elk (Cervis canadensis, or C. canadensis canadensis), also know as wapiti (“light-colored rump”) by Native Americans, were once common throughout the Northeast, including throughout most of Pennsylvania.  But this changed quickly in the mid-19th century.  According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, elk were eliminated in Southeastern PA by the early 1900s, and by the late 1940s, they were gone elsewhere in the Commonwealth, except in north-central Pennsylvania in Cameron, Elk and McKean Counties.  Though there are reports that the last elk was shot by a hunter named John D. Decker in 1877 in Centre County, most suggest that they were probably gone by the late 1860s to early 1870s.  The elk population, along with most wildlife in the Commonwealth, was decimated by over-hunting, habitat loss and modification, and development.  This is the story of wildlife throughout most of the United States.

Fortunately for us, and elk in Pennsylvania, wildlife managers decided early on to try and reintroduce elk into parts of their former range in north-central PA.  What is amazing to me is that this reintroduction began in 1913, well before most land and wildlife managers even considered reintroduction as a part of a conservation strategy.  In 1913, Pennsylvania got the first shipment of elk from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, shipped by train.  It has been estimated that each of the 50 individuals in that first shipment cost about $30 each to get to Pennsylvania and release.  These elk were released into Clinton and Clearfield Counties via what is called a “hard release”, where there is no acclimation period.  Another shipment of 22 more were brought in from a private preserve and released into Monroe and Centre Counties.  I think it is amazing that any survived, things in Pennsylvania are quite different from their former habitats in Yellowstone National Park.  And in 1915, an additional 95 individuals, also from Yellowstone, were released into six counties in north-central Pennsylvania.  They quickly began hunting elk, starting in 1923.  And while initially the hunt was pretty successful, the harvest quickly dropped and in 1931, only 1 bull was shot.  By this time, it was estimated that maybe 200 animals survived in the wild, restricted to Cameron and Elk Counties, where elk made their last stand in the Commonwealth in the 1870s.  

The size of the herd fluctuated over successive years, and by 1952 it was estimated that fewer than 50 individuals remained.  Local farmers never supported the reintroduction, and shot many.  This seems to be a recurring theme when large animals are reintroduced into part of their original range, areas now often occupied by ranchers and farmers, few of which support the return of large animals, competitors or predators.  Poachers also killed many elk over the years.  The first comprehensive census was taken in 1971, which reported that only 65 animals survived, and by 1973, that number was down to only 38 individuals.  Things did not look good, as the elk herd faced a number of issues, including a brain parasite, continued poaching, and individuals shot by farmers.  For example, in 1982, 15 elk were shot illegally, and 11 others were shot by farmers who suggested the animals were causing crop damage.

But, things improved with active habitat and game management, and better research efforts.  The herd grew, and by 1993, there were estimated to be 224 individuals in the herd.  Then in 1998, a relocation project began, with 63 elk being moved from Elk to Clinton County, mostly in Sproul State Forest.  Things continued to improve for the herd, and in 2001, the first elk hunt in the Commonwealth in more than 70 years was approved; over 50,000 applied for a permit, 30 were selected, 27 elk were harvested.

Today the elk herd is doing well, and is estimated to include about 1000 individuals, with a current range covering over 2000 km2 (about 800 sq. mi.).  The herd is concentrated in Elk and Cameron Counties, around the town of Benezette along State Route 555.  When I visited early in October 2019, we camped at Kettle Creek State Park, east of Benezette.  There were plenty of elk to see just up the road from the campground, north along Kettle Creek Road, and across the creek and along Proctor Road.  We saw a number of bulls, even heard them bugle, along with many cows, and at least a couple of calves.  They seemed pretty tame, and would let you approach to take photographs, though remember, these are wild animals, and the bulls, they are big, really big, and often with huge antlers.  It was a great trip, nice little campground up on a hill overlooking the Kettle Creek Reservoir, and plenty of elk to see nearby, and without driving all the way back to Benezette.  If you get a chance, it is definitely worth it, seeing large animals in the wild (well ....), elk, huge, majestic creatures.        

---