Elk in Ohio

[bowhunter1023]

Anyone here know Troy Tripp, or heard of the FB group Ohio Elk Hunting Community. They are lobbying to have elk reintroduced to the Appalachian region of Ohio. I'm opposed this, but I'm curious to hear the thoughts of others. I'll share more of my thoughts on the topics later on.

 

[Buckmaster]

If it were here in 1800 it should be re-introduced, lion excluded.

 

[tpierce]

I think that would be cool. I put in every year for Ky. elk draw. I would love to go out west and hunt them, but I can't reconcile the cost. I know even if this is successful, I won't live long enough to hunt Ohio elk.
Jesse, why are you opposed?

 

[tpierce]

ST RT 52 along the Ohio River was originally a game trail created by bison and elk moving through the area.

 

[brock ratcliff]

There are too many people in Ohio. Even in SE Ohio, too many.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

I'd like to see them reintroduced personally. BUT I just don't know if we can provide the amount of land to support them. They left the area for a reason, which one can only imagine as to why. Hell We're struggling to balance our whitetail herd, pheasants, and other wild game that reside in the state currently.

 

[bowhunter1023]

Jesse, why are you opposed?

1. Ohio does not have the vast expanses necessary to incubate and sustain a herd of elk.
2. Elk will pose a safety hazard to citizens because conflict will be unavoidable and will occur more often due to population density.
3. Referring to #1, we only have enough habitat for one big game animal here and I am not a fan of doing anything that could potentially harm an already struggling deer herd.
4. It is a waste of resources IMO. Those resources should be put towards habitat and conservation projects, not bringing in 700# animals that will destroy native and agricultural habitat.
5. The Ohio DNR/DOW has not shown me they are even capable of managing our only big game species without conflict and conspiracy; there's no way I trust them to assist with reintroducing an iconic species that deserves more than we have to offer here in Ohio.
6. This ain't Montana.

 

["J"]

It is a waste of resources IMO. Those resources should be put towards habitat and conservation projects, not bringing in 700# animals that will destroy native and agricultural habitat.

1. The Ohio DNR/DOW has not shown me they are even capable of managing our only big game species without conflict and conspiracy; there's no way I trust them to assist with reintroducing an iconic species that deserves more than we have to offer here in Ohio.

These were my first 2 thoughts on this subject.

 

[Gern186]

Bring them to northwest ohio. We have plenty of food to feed them here. I wouldn't mind seeing them. Haha

 

[bowhunter1023]

We all know Nationwode and the Farm Bureau will object and therefore the DNR/DOW will fall in line.

 

[Sgt Fury]

It would be nice to see wild elk however, can you imagine all of the vehicular and pedestrian traffic in an area that had them? People would be parked on the side of the roads taking pictures and walking on private land. Not to mention vehicle collisions. It’s a nice dream but Ohio doesn’t have the vast areas needed.

 

[Schu72]

Maybe work on quail and grouse instead?

 

[Sgt Fury]

Let’s bring these back! Surely there’s room in this state for more than just one! @Jackalope

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

View attachment 70791
Let’s bring these back! Surely there’s room in this state for more than just one! @Jackalope

God help us.

 

[Sgt Fury]

God help us.

Lol

 

[tracker 6]

Wonder what a good Elk lease would run ?

 

[Jackalope]

View attachment 70791
Let’s bring these back! Surely there’s room in this state for more than just one! @Jackalope

The devil stole the mold when the good lord made this one.

I all seriousness I agree with Jesse. Per the DNR our 2008 whitetail population greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of the land and as such they wanted 50%+ of them killed. Despite never showing an ounce of data to back that claim up they set about to decimate them. I think concentrating on game birds like grouse, pheasants and quail would be better, but that would require passage of farm laws to protect habitat and clear-cut or burn forestry plans, so we know that won't happen.

 

[giles]

I agree on many things. Number 1 being that we have done a terrible job with what we’ve had/have. Doesn’t matter though, they’ll do whatever they want anyways. So I’ll just save the rest of my comments...

 

[jagermeister]

I'm pretty much with Jesse and the others in opposition. It would be cool to see Elk... But we really don't need another big game animal on the landscape. Our timber stands can't handle the browse pressure from our current ungulates. Adding Elk to that equation would only make things worse. In addition, I think it would open the door to even more leasing and outfitting operations. We certainly don't need more of that IMO.

 

[Redhunter1012]

Bring them to northwest ohio. We have plenty of food to feed them here. I wouldn't mind seeing them. Haha

Yes we do. I imagine it would be like shooting carp in a rain barrel though