Tennessee Elk(we are on our way)

[DocHolladay]

Hopefully in the next 10-15 years we will have a hunting season. The TWRA says it is going to be hard to draw a tag, but I will try my luck. I can't get drawn if I dont enter.

Tennessee Elk reintroduction Q&A

Video

[BT]

What did they start the herd out as (in numbers) and what is the reproductive rate for Elk?.

Hard to believe that there will be a huntable number in a few years unless they were bringing in animals by the train car fulls or unless they just want to limit the numbers all together.

[DocHolladay]

admin said:

What did they start the herd out as (in numbers) and what is the reproductive rate for Elk?.

It is answered in the Q&A post above, #4.
4. How many elk will be reintroduced into Tennessee?

Current plans call for 50 elk to be released into Tennessee for the first year and for 400 to be released over the next four years.

admin said:

Hard to believe that there will be a huntable number in a few years unless they were bringing in animals by the train car fulls or unless they just want to limit the numbers all together.

From the Q&A above also:
11. How big of a population will be established in the elk release zone?

It is hoped that the population of elk will expand from the 400 elk scheduled to be released to a population of 1400 to 2000. This population level should be obtainable within 16 years.



12. Will elk ever again be hunted in Tennessee?

For the immediate future, there will be no hunting. However, hunters and non-hunters alike will be able to enjoy viewing the elk and listening to them in the fall.

As the elk population grows in the restoration zone legal hunting of elk will be a management option. It is speculated that when the elk population exceeds 1000 animals that a hunting program can be implemented. When a hunting program is implemented it is likely that the demand for elk hunting opportunities will greatly exceed that needed to maintain a stable elk population. Most likely hunters will have to submit applications to be selected for an elk hunt and the demand for these hunts may be so high that a hunter is likely to only be drawn once in a lifetime, if at all.

[BT]

Now thats the thing right there....in the last paragraph.

Once in a lifetime if at all.

What the heck is the sense in that?!

How about waiting till you have 8K animals and then sell off 8X's the slots for twice the money and really get a bang for the buck?.

Plus...if there were a plight on the herd for some reason,there would be more left.

I just don't understand the whole thing with re-introduction programs and the way they are run at all.

[DocHolladay]

I wouldnt mind hunting for them here in my home state, but I think I would be better off going to Kentucky. They stopped the re-introduction for a short while due to an outbreak of CWD in the herd the TWRA was getting the elk from.

All of that quoted was written when they first started the introduction, but it has been going better than planned. All of the animals are adapting quicker and having more young than they thought they would at first. The outlook is getting better and better. I am with you though, why not wait until the numbers are high enough to allow alot of hunters to have a chance?

[michihunter]

Sounds as if they are copying what Michigan did. It's been very successful and has allowed for an Elk Hunt for a good many years. Usually a quota of about 150 +/-are taken every year.

[BT]

States like these should have a graduation scale where at some point you have applied enough times to automatically go to the top of the draw.

[michihunter]

They're proposing that right now in MI.

[DocHolladay]

The only thing we have to be drawn for now are quota hunts and managed areas. Other than that, once you buy the appropriate license you are good to go.