West Virginia Sees First Elk Since 1875

by
posted on March 1, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ahwire_ah2015_fs-2.jpg

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has taken the first steps to reintroduce elk into the Mountain State. Elk haven’t been seen in West Virginia since shortly after the end of the Civil War. The plan is to produce a healthy, free-roaming elk herd across about 123,000 acres of the southwestern region of the state. Once a herd is established and stabilized, hunting will become part of the state’s management plan, according to the WVDNR.

Chris Ryan, a WVDNR biologist, explained, “We’re trying to get a total of 150 elk moved in to create a strong foundation for our herd. On our first trip, we collected 24 elk, a dozen bulls and a dozen cows. These were taken from Kentucky, and all elk were found to be disease free.”

That first group of 24 elk were released into the Tomblin Wildlife Management area in southern West Virginia during a dedication that took place on Dec. 19, 2016. The WVDNR is hoping to release the next batch of elk in January 2018.

Latest

Henry 250Th Anniversary Guns
Henry 250Th Anniversary Guns

Henry Honors America's 250th with Collector-Grade Rifles

Henry Repeating Arms is now shipping the America's 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition Collection: three collector-grade lever-action rifles to mark the nation's 250th anniversary of independence.

Behind the Bullet: The .500-416 Nitro Express

When discussing the Nitro Express cartridges, my mind is immediately drawn to East Africa in the first few decades of the 20th century, but there are modern developments which fill a niche. One such is the .500/416 3 ¼-inch Nitro Express developed by Kreighoff at the end of the 20th century. Let's look at the history and characteristics of the .500-416 Nitro Express.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal .30-30 Uppers

Bear Creek Arsenal is expanding its lineup with new .30-30 Winchester rifle and upper options, bringing one of America's most recognized hunting calibers into modern sporting rifle configurations.

Shotgun Slug 101: What to Look For

Don’t overlook shotgun slugs. When hand-picked, they will deliver outstanding accuracy and big game-bagging performance. Here’s a primer.

Leupold Announces Limited-Edition 'Mark 250' Riflescope Package

Commissioned to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial, the Mark 250 package is built for the patriots that demand performance.

Ruger Celebrates 250 Years of American Liberty with Limited-Production Firearms

Ruger has expanded its 250th Anniversary Series of firearms, further commemorating the United States Semiquincentennial while celebrating the Company's longstanding tradition of American manufacturing. Each limited production model in this special collection is distinctly marked with the inscription, "Made in the 250th Year of American Liberty."

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.