DNR to hold third elk hunt of season

Steve Schulwitz

By STEVE SCHULWITZ

News Staff Writer

In an attempt to control an above-average elk herd, and to lend a helping hand to some of northern Michigan's farmers, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has decided to hold a third elk hunting season this winter from Jan. 14-18.

The increased number of elk in the area was expected by the DNR, but what is becoming more of a concern is some animals are exiting the designated area in which the DNR prefers to have them congregate.

"The elk are leaving the 'core-area' and getting into trouble," DNR biologist Jennifer Kleitch said. "Especially west of I-75 and in places east of the freeway also. Some are leaving the core area and setting up full time homes. Usually they will come and go, but they are staying away for a longer period of time lately."

The DNR controls the elk population and would like to have it in the 800-900 head range. Estimates from the winter of 2007-08 conclude there could be as many as 1,200 in the core area.

The DNR is in the final stages of determining this winter's total by the end of this month.

The January hunt is always an option for the DNR to help reduce the population, but it has been held only three times in the last quarter century. The last being 2007.

"We are looking at options for what we are going to do about the problems," Kleitch said. "We will make our recommendations on Jan. 31, and then decide about increasing harvest numbers."

The DNR awarded 330 elk tags to applicants in 2008, and have held a separate drawing recently to issue another 40 permits for the January hunt. Thirteen bull tags and 27 antlerless were distributed among the lucky 40.

The herds are somewhat aloof and travel many miles in search of more fruitful feeding ground, but the animal's interaction with the area farms is the DNR's main concern as of now.

"They are grazing in standing corn fields and in some cases getting into silage which is stored," Kleitch said. "The farmers are doing a good job of taking precautions in an attempt to keep the animals out, but they are very clever and they are still finding ways to get in.

The farmers are watching the food they have stored for the winter vanish because of the giants.

"They are also eating the hay bails the farmers have. One farmer had his hay stored in the barn and the elk were chewing through the wood to get to the hay. Farmers really don't want to feed that hay to their livestock, because there have been a few elk found with tuberculosis. They are also doing significant damage to some potato fields."

Elk can eat about four pounds of food a day, for every 100 pounds the animal weighs, depending on the time of year. One particular elk harvested this winter near Hillman weighed in at 750 pounds.

Kleitch said the affected counties include parts of Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle and Cheboygan, but the squatters are more of a nuisance near Gaylord and in Cheboygan County.

The hunters and their guides must attend an orientation meeting at the Northland Service Club, in Gaylord on Tuesday, before venturing to hunt out on Wednesday. Because of the small amount of hunters, the DNR will handle each kill personally.

"Because of the small amount of hunters, we will be going to the sites and conducting our tests," Kleitch said. "Our check-in station will also be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. all five days."

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.