are the largest species in the family. The is also known as the Wapiti from the Shawnee and Cree Indian word meaning “white rump.” It is believed that the elk’s ancestors roamed Eurasia 25 million years ago, but did not appear in until several million years later during the Miocene epoch. There are several species of elk in both North America and Asia based on their local environments. These differences can be found in antler shape, body size, coloration and mating behaviors. Joe Kosack, Wildlife Education Specialist, has written a detailed history of Elk. His notes detail that by the mid‐1900s, Eastern Elk were exploited and exterminated in eastern and western Pennsylvania. Cameron, Elk and McKean counties in Pennsylvania were the only counties where elk were found. By 1860, those Elk were in jeopardy. In 1895, the Pennsylvania Commission was formed and began an active program to replenish the animal in Pennsylvania. In 1915, the first elk from Yellowstone were released in Pennsylvania’s northern counties. Farmers have not liked elk due to them eating cornfields. Their migratory patterns found that some elk traveled as much as 40 miles from where they were released. The history of elk in Pennsylvania saw periods of illegal , poaching and nuisance complaints that caused herds to disappear. Farmers continued their discontent of the large invading their farm land. Game Commission management regarding elk was not constant. During the late 1990s the Game Commission, helped by funding from the Foundation, began to purchase land for elk grazing and a program to capture and relocate elk to appropriate areas. In 2000, the PA government enacted an elk hunting license. That first year 50,000 individuals applied for 30 licenses. Since then, the annual application for hunting elk number about 20,000 applicants. Licenses granted vary year‐ to‐year. Elk are like camels, goats and cattle. They are ruminants with four‐chambered stomachs. They feed on grasses, plants, leaves and bark. Mature elk range in weight from 370 to 630 pounds for females and 370 to 1,300 pounds for males. Alaska has the largest males of the elk population. In early fall, during the mating season, called the rut or rutting, mature elk over the age of 11 begin to establish their harem. Bull elk will follow groups of cows in hopes of establishing between 15 and 20 cows to mate with. The process of mating is arduous. It involves bugling or howling to attract females. Elk must be in good condition during this period because an Elk’s harem is always challenged by other bulls. This requires constant attention and pacing, bugling, challenging other bulls and even fighting if the other elk does not back down. Bulls will also use their urine to attract cows. The process involves a lot of time and energy. A bull can lose up to 20 percent of its weight during this period. September and October are the most active months for mating. After the age of two, female elk can produce one or sometimes two offspring every year. Due to their short estrus cycle, it may take more than twelve interactions before the cow will begin to gestate. Gestation can last between 240 to 262 days. Calves born during the summer are usually weaned and join the herd within two months. Females use posturing and glutaral grunts to protect their young from predators. The average life of an elk is 20 years or more in captivity and between 10 to 15 years in the wild. Predators such as the wolf and coyote are the most common predators. However, brown and black bear have also attacked elk. Today, the largest free‐roaming elk herd in the northeastern is found in Elk County. Billed as the PA Wilds, The Elk Country Visitors’ Center has many informative programs, activities and even a wagon ride into the grazing area of the elk. The herd at this center number over 1,000 Rocky Mountain Elk. Elk Country’s address is 950 Winslow Hill Road, Benezette, PA.

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