Elk hunting likely in W.Va., but years away » The Register-Herald

By Mannix Porterfield Register-Herald Reporter The Register-Herald

BECKLEY — Don’t plan on bagging a majestic elk in the rugged hills of West Virginia just yet.

In fact, the first legalized elk hunt could be several years off, for a number of reasons, since the jury is still out on the size of the herd.

And are the elk roaming in a certain “zone” of seven southwestern counties merely transplants from Kentucky, or have some actually begun to reproduce in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia?

To get those answers, Paul Johansen, assistant wildlife chief for the Division of Natural Resources, says motion-sensitive cameras are being installed in that swath of the state, aided by salt licks to track them, in an effort to get a headcount.

“We’ve had confirmed reports of elk for the past several years in southern West Virginia,” Johansen said this week.

“Those were a direct result of natural movement of elk from across the state line, not necessarily released, but as a result of the restoration effort. We have a habitat I’m sure that’s suitable for those elk that have wandered over from Kentucky. We need to put in place a management plan to help us, and we have, to help us most efficiently to manage that resource.”  Click Link Below For Full Story!

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