The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) has made the Draft West Virginia Elk Management Plan: 2016-2020 available for public review and comment. A copy of the draft plan can be found on the DNR’s website at www.wvdnr.gov/Publications/Draft_Elk_Plan.pdf.
“The DNR developed its initial Elk Management Plan in 2011, which designated an elk management area in the southern coal fields region of West Virginia,” according to Gary Foster, assistant chief in charge of Game Management. “Over the past five years the plan allowed for an elk population to become established within this area through the natural immigration of elk from Kentucky and Virginia into West Virginia. Now, we are proposing a modified strategy to be implemented over the next five-year period, with plans to restore a viable elk population through an elk translocation approach.”
The DNR encourages the public to provide written comments on the Draft West Virginia Elk Management Plan: 2016-2020. Comments should be postmarked by Jan. 15, 2016, and mailed to: Public Comments – Elk Management Plan, WVDNR, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241. Individuals seeking additional information relating to the plan should contact the DNR Elkins Operation Center at 304-637-0245.
PHOTO BY: STEVE SHALUTA – WV TOURISM