THIEF RIVER FALLS — Did you know that huge herds of elk once roamed across most of the prairies and forests of Minnesota?
By 1930, these massive herds were gone, extirpated by over-hunting and habitat loss. Due to multiple restoration efforts across the intervening years — and the arrival of elk moving south across the Canada border — Minnesota now hosts three small herds in the northwest region.
Kelsie LaSharr, who holds the brand-new position of elk doordinator at the Department of Natural Resources, joined the KAXE Morning Show to discuss the DNR’s proposed projects in Northwestern Minnesota. She also shared information about elk’s exposure to various wildlife pathogens, the habitats needed to support elk populations, and upcoming research on elk movement and survival in Northwestern Minnesota.
With the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the DNR is embarking on a new research and management project to better understand and increase elk herds in Minnesota.
On Sept. 10, the DNR will host an in-person meeting to discuss the portions of the project pertinent to Northwestern Minnesota herds. The meeting will be 6-8 p.m. at the Performance Art Theater at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
According to a news release from the DNR, the meeting will start with presentations on the upcoming research project and the current state of elk management. Panelists will then share their perspectives on the topic. The meeting will end with breakout sessions for participants to ask questions and share their opinions.
For more information on the meeting, visit the DNR webpage. For more on the overall elk management project, check out the DNR’s Elk Management page.
Have you seen elk? Where? Let us know!