Winners Of Kentucky Elk Hunt Lottery Announced
May 6, 2012
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Results of the Kentucky elk hunt lottery drawing are now available online at fw.ky.gov.
Final results show that 33,675 people submitted an application for one of the 905 quota hunt permits to be issued by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources this year.
Kentucky’s hunt of a lifetime drew interest from hunters across the country, including three from Hawaii, 25 from Alaska, 24 from Maine and 59 from California. Hunters could apply for up to two permits. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife received 59,672 permit applications, meaning the majority of hunters applied more than once.
The Kentucky Commonwealth Office of Technology conducted the drawing Thursday, May 3, using a random computer program.
Hunters may visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website to check if they were drawn. Hunters must either enter their social security number, or their birth date and the 19-digit number they received while applying. Applicants should enter the information carefully to make sure they do not put in an incorrect number.
Drawn hunters also will receive a notification letter from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Hunters have until July 1 to apply online for an Elk Hunting Unit (EHU). Kentucky’s elk hunting zone is subdivided into units to help spread hunting pressure. A second drawing is conducted to determine an individual’s hunting unit.
Hunters should visit the department website for more information regarding hunting unit selection. The website also contains maps and additional information on public hunting lands within the elk zone.
KY Bull Elk Taken by Madisonville Girl – iSurf News
October 11, 2011
By Kim Plunkett
HOPKINS COUNTY, KY (10/11/11) – Kaylee Plunkett, a 13 year old resident of Hopkins County, harvested a 6×6 bull elk over the weekend in Knott County, Kentucky in the 2011 Kentucky Quota Hunt.
Kaylee, along with another 120 winners of the annual lottery draw, had the honor of participating in the hunt. Last year over 40,000 applicants were vying for the coveted permits. Winners of the annual draw have the opportunity to hunt Kentucky’s elk herd in a 16-county area in the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky.
The 16-county elk zone is 4.1 million acres, and is divided into 10 Elk Hunting Units, including sub-units, with a total of 576,994 acres open to public hunting. Kentucky’s elk herd now boasts over 10,000 free ranging elk and it is through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife that the elk herds are managed through the annual draw.
Kaylee has hunted deer in Hopkins County and has always wanted to hunt elk. This year was the first time that Kaylee was entered in to the annual lottery and had the privilege to hunt the second bull rifle season which is a specified 7 day hunt. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via KY Bull Elk Taken by Madisonville Girl.
Colo. wildlife officials woo nation’s elk hunters – The Denver Post
February 15, 2011
By CATHERINE TSAI Associated Press
DENVER—After years of watching sales of elk licenses slide, Colorado wildlife officials are launching a nationwide ad campaign to bring more hunters to the state.
The trick will be convincing people who pay hundreds of dollars for a nonresident hunting license in some states that the 23 million acres of public land and 300,000 elk in Colorado are the best in the West.
"We have exceptional elk hunting. It’s very good in many of the western states," said Al Langston of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. "It’s up to the hunter to decide what system fits."
The Colorado Division of Wildlife gets about two-thirds of its $110 million budget from hunting and fishing licenses, but sales of elk licenses in Colorado dropped by more than 37,000 from 2005 to 2009, with revenue falling by roughly $8 million in that time, Director Tom Remington said.
About 229,000 limited draw and over-the-counter licenses were sold in 2009, with thousands left unsold.
The division largely doesn’t get money from the state’s general fund, drawing instead from lottery funds, federal excise tax revenue and mostly, licenses.
"It’s critically important for us to attract elk hunters. It’s our very survival," division spokesman Randy Hampton said.
This week, the division is launching its "Elevate Your Game" marketing campaign with a new website—huntcolorado.org—that went live Monday. It’s also running ads in the March issues of Outdoor Life magazine and Game and Fish magazine, on websites geared toward outdoorsmen, and on The Sportsman Channel and the Outdoor Channel to draw elk hunters. Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Colo. wildlife officials woo nation’s elk hunters – The Denver Post.
Elk hunter will take only a bow to woods | The Tennessean
July 1, 2010
Deputy Bob Burns’ jurisdiction doesn’t reach Tennessee, but he laid down the law when it came to deciding on the primitive hunting method his younger brother Greg will use in the state’s second managed elk hunt.
Greg will rely only on a traditional bow to take down an animal that could stand 5 feet and weigh as much as 700 pounds.
The entire arsenal, including hand-made arrows, is derived from natural materials.
“We don’t use sights, there’s nothing plastic, it’s all traditional equipment,” said Bob, 52, a deputy with the Pinellas County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. “It will all come down to Greg’s shooting ability and my calling and experience in elk hunting.”
Greg, 49, a retired army staff sergeant from Clarksville, was among four selected randomly to participate in the Oct. 18-22 hunt at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. A fifth permit was auctioned off by a non-profit, non-governmental organization.
“The only way Bob said he would come along was if we didn’t take any guns into the woods,” Greg said. “He’s confident we can get close enough to an elk to use a traditional bow. If not, he said we’d leave the woods with what we brought in — nothing.” Click Link Below for Full Story!
via Elk hunter will take only a bow to woods | tennessean.com | The Tennessean.
Apply now for the 2010 Minnesota elk hunt – Review Messenger
June 25, 2010
Hunters have until Friday, July 16, to apply for one of 11 elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Licenses for the 2010 hunts will be available in the traditional Grygla area and central Kittson County, which is a consolidation of the north and south Kittson zones from last year. Maps of the two hunt zones can be found at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/elk.
“Annual elk hunts help manage population size and provide a unique hunting experience for Minnesota hunters,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR big game program coordinator.
Seven licenses (two either-sex and five antlerless) will be offered in the Grygla area. Four licenses (one either-sex and three antlerless) will be offered in Kittson County.
“With the completion of our elk management plan, we’re allocating elk licenses so that we can manage the two populations at established levels,” Cornicelli said.
A total of three licenses (two in Grygla and one in Kittson County) may be issued to qualified landowners in their elk zone in a preferential drawing. Unsuccessful landowner applications will then be added to the general drawing, from which the remaining applicants will be selected. Alternates will be selected in case successful parties opt not to purchase a permit.
In total, there will be two seasons in each zone, divided as follows:
·Sept. 18-26, two either-sex in Grygla, one either-sex and one antlerless license in Kittson County.
·Dec. 4-12, five antlerless licenses in Grygla and two antlerless licenses in Kittson County
Applications may be made at any DNR license agent or the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. Paper applications will not be accepted. Hunters may apply individually or in parties of two. There is a non-refundable application fee of $10 per hunter. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. In order to hunt, they must purchase an elk license for $250. Each party will be authorized to harvest one elk. Click Link Below For Full Story!
via Apply now for the 2010 Minnesota elk hunt.
Wolf supporters howling | CJOnline.com
March 8, 2010
By Marc Murrell
The reintroduction of wolves to western habitats has met with plenty of controversy. Landowners, sportsmen and conservation groups have been on one side or the other since the project began. And now the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is calling the bluff of pro-wolf groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Western Wildlife Conservancy and others for their manipulative use of data concerning the relationships between elk and wolves.
The rub lies in these groups’ use of RMEF statistics that supposedly show an increase in elk populations in the northern Rockies as a result of the wolf reintroduction program. Letters to the editor in western newspapers by these groups, coupled with Western Wildlife Conservancy Executive Director Kirk Robinson’s testimony before Utah lawmakers prompted the RMEF to take action and set the record straight.
“The theory that wolves haven’t had a significant adverse impact on some elk populations is not accurate. We’ve become all too familiar with these groups’ tactics of cherry-picking select pieces of information to support their own agenda, even when it is misleading,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We will not allow that claim to go unchallenged.”
The RMEF gets its data from state wildlife agencies. Information shows that elk populations are expanding in the northern Rockies, but only in areas where wolves aren’t present.
And quite the opposite is true where elk share habitat with wolves such as the greater Yellowstone area. Since the reintroduction of gray wolves to the area in the mid-1990s, the northern Yellowstone elk herd has plummeted from 17,000 animals to just over 7,000 animals. Other localities in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are also documenting downward trends.
Additionally, some research shows that high wolf numbers in areas can cause elk to experience nutritional problems, lower body weights and declining birth rates.
“Every wildlife conservation agency, both state and federal, working at ground zero of wolf restoration —Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming — has abundant data to demonstrate how under-managed wolf populations can compromise local elk herds and local livestock production,” Allen said. “There’s just no dispute, and emotion-over-science is not the way to professionally manage wildlife.”
The RMEF continues to support state-regulated wolf management to include hunting and other viable methods. When populations of furbearers like wolves get too high without any control, disease becomes a problem as seen in packs of Yellowstone wolves.
“When wolves are too abundant, they’re more susceptible to diseases, just like all wildlife. The viruses and mange now spreading through wolf packs is another sign of way too many wolves,” said Allen. “Defenders of Wildlife would like to spin sick wolves as a reason to end hunting. But real conservationists know that diseased wildlife populations need better management. Hunting as a management tool delivers that, period.”
“Remember, pro-wolf groups make their living by prolonging this conflict,” he added. “There is no real incentive for them to admit that wolves are overly recovered. Fundraising is their major motive and they’ve built a goldmine by filing lawsuits and preaching that nature will find its own equilibrium between predators and prey if man would just leave it alone.
“That’s a myth. The truth is that people are the most important part of the equation. This isn’t the Wild West anymore. People live here — actually, quite a lot of us. So our land and resources must be managed. Wildlife must be managed. Radical spikes and dips in populations show that we should be doing it better. It’s not profitable for plaintiffs, but the rest of us would be better served if the conflict ended and conservation professionals were allowed to get on with their business of managing wildlife, including a well regulated hunting strategy.”
The RMEF first got involved in wolf litigation in 2009 and supported defendant agencies by filing legal briefs in federal court to help delist wolves and proceed with hunting — “facts conveniently ignored by groups who misuse our name, data and credibility to prolong the conflict,” Allen said.
“We stand for elk and other wildlife and what is happening right now is simply not good wildlife management,” he concluded.
via Wolf supporters howling | CJOnline.com.
Elk Hunt Forecast for 2009- RMEF
August 24, 2009
| MISSOULA, Mont.—Elk and elk hunting opportunities are plentiful across the U.S. and Canada, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has just released its annual roundup of hunt forecasts for 27 states and provinces, newly posted at www.rmef.org.
“Elk herds are in great shape across most of the West, thanks to a mild winter and normal moisture. And, of course, the ongoing habitat stewardship projects supported by our members and volunteers have helped, too,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation. This summer, RMEF passed the 5.6 million acre mark for elk habitat conserved or enhanced. Storylines within the Elk Foundation’s 2009 elk hunt forecast include the amazing herd growth following elk restoration efforts in Kentucky, wolf impacts on elk and hunting in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, massive elk populations in Colorado and the trophy bull reputations of Arizona and Utah. Here’s a condensed look at forecasts from top states and provinces for total elk populations. To see all the reports in their entirety, including contact information for respective conservation agencies, visit www.rmef.org. For even more hutning including sidebars, see the Sept./Oct. 2009 edition of the RMEF member magazine, Bugle. Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Kentucky Montana Nevada New Mexico Oregon Saskatchewan Utah Washington Wyoming One of the most notable changes in elk country for 2009 could be a wolf hunt in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Stay tuned to the respective state wildlife agencies for news and details. RMEF is a vocal supporter of state-regulated hunting to manage restored populations of gray wolves. For more info, visit www.rmef.org. |
Keep Predators Away From Your Elk Carcass
August 9, 2009
MISSOULA, Mont.—Black bears, grizzlies, cougars, wolves, coyotes—just some of the potential looters you may find skulking around the scene of your next successful elk hunt. These tips from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will help keep meat stealers away from your elk carcass.
“Deterring predators ensures all that hard-won protein ends up in your freezer, but personal safety is a factor, too. If you hunt in grizzly country, for example, it’s worth minimizing the risk of surprising a bear that has claimed your kill,” said P.J. DelHomme, hunting editor of the Elk Foundation’s member magazine, Bugle.
Here are five tips for discouraging marauding carnivores:
1. Hang quarters at an unreachable height 100 yards or more from the entrails, etc. Parachute chord works well; it’s small, light, cheap and strong enough for the job. Bring way more than you think you need. Try to select a hanging tree in a relatively open area that can be glassed from at least 300 yards away. If no trees are available, you can hang quarters off a rimrock ledge, too. Prime cuts of meat should get the first trip out.
2. When safe and legal, build a fire next to the quarters. Burn damp, pitchy wood that produces a good plume of smoke. This detracts predators and helps you locate the site on your return trip. Remember to mark the site in your GPS and take compass bearings as a backup.
3. Leave an article of clothing with the quarters, preferably something that’s been close to your skin and absorbed your scent. A brightly colored item also helps you locate the site. Urinate nearby to further saturate the area with human smell.
4. Many hunters won’t carry their rifle or bow once their elk tag has been punched. However, when returning to a carcass, consider carrying a handgun or bear spray for personal protection in case you encounter a defiant critter. Be as noisy and obnoxious as possible as you approach the site. Clap your hands. Sing as loud as you can.
5. Be ready to back off. An elk carcass is never worth fighting over. If a looter is adamant that it needs the meat more than you do, or has rendered your elk unsalvageable, check the state’s hunting regulations. A game warden may issue you a new elk permit.
Additionally, if legal, you may have an opportunity to add the predator to your game bag. Remember that many predator populations need management via state-regulated hunting, same as elk. The Elk Foundation is a vocal supporter of this system for managing restored populations of gray wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, too.
Bugle magazine is a wealth of elk hunting and conservation information. An annual subscription is included with a $35 membership to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. For details, visit www.rmef.org.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK
via 2009 News Releases.
Kentucky Hunting Access Grows with Elk Foundation Help
July 23, 2009
MISSOULA, Mont.—By facilitating agreements between corporate landowners and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has helped open or secure over 250,000 acres for public hunting access.
The milestone was recognized at a recent meeting of agency commissioners.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett said, “The Elk Foundation has been vital in this process—without them we wouldn’t be nearly as successful in obtaining these landowner agreements. The Elk Foundation gets things done with coal and timber companies that we, as an agency, have a hard time accomplishing. They have built a great relationship with landowners in Kentucky.”
Participating companies include Molpus Timberlands, KY River Properties, Begley Lumber and International Coal Group. Some lands were previously closed, others were historically open but scheduled to be leased—each situation was different.
David Ledford, initiative director for the Elk Foundation in Kentucky, explained, “Each agreement is different because each landowner had specific goals and sideboards. We worked with companies on an individual basis and helped them determine how to structure hunting access on their lands. Some agreements came together quickly, others took time, but the results are good news for hunters in Kentucky.”
At a June 11 meeting, Gassett presented Ledford and RMEF Regional Director Bill Carman with limited edition art prints as a token of thanks from Kentucky hunters.
Most of the state’s 11,300 elk are on private lands. More than 46,000 people applied for a chance to hunt them, and this fall more than 1,000 lucky selectees will take to the hills in pursuit of a Kentucky elk. Helping hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts access this growing resource is imperative, says Ledford.
Gassett said, “The coal industry has done great things for wildlife in Kentucky. In fact, without the coal industry, elk wouldn’t be here. We appreciate what they’re doing for public hunting access, too.”
For more information and regulations governing public hunting opportunities on corporate lands, visit the KDFWR Web site at http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.6 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
via 2009 News Releases.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources – Quota Elk Hunt Drawing Extended Through the Weekend; Deadline was April 30
April 29, 2009
Frankfort, Ky. – Hunters now have three extra days to apply for the 2009 Kentucky elk hunt. Citing technical problems over the past few days with state government’s online payment application, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials today extended the original April 30 deadline to midnight Eastern Time, May 3.
“We want to ensure that everyone who wants to apply has that chance,” said Wildlife Division Director Karen Alexy. “We’ve already had a record number of applicants because Kentucky is issuing a record number of its elk permits. The word is getting around that a Kentucky elk hunt is truly the hunt of a lifetime.”
To date, more than 37,500 people have applied for the 2009 general elk hunt while an additional 375 people have applied for the special Paul Van Booven Wildlife Management Area WMA youth hunt. Kentucky will issue 1,002 permits for the general elk hunt, and five permits for the WMA youth hunt. The deadline extension applies to both the general hunt and the WMA youth hunt.
Applications for the elk hunt are $10 and available online only at fw.ky.gov. The drawing is open to Kentucky residents and non-residents.
Last week, the department began encountering problems with the electronic payment system for its online permit and license sales. Department officials took the payment system offline for part of the day on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, until the problem was fixed.
Any person who encountered difficulties with an online transaction on the department’s website in the past week may call the department at 1-800-858-1549.
Kentucky’s elk herd numbers approximately 10,000 animals. Last year, the hunter rate for bulls reached 96 percent, while 89 percent of cow hunt hunters enjoyed success.
New for this year is the WMA youth hunt. The five youngsters drawn for this hunt have their choice of taking a bull or cow elk in one of the best hunting areas in the state. Hunters must be 15 or under by the end of the application period to be eligible.
“These are probably the best odds we’ll ever see for a quota elk hunt,” said Kentucky’s Big Game Coordinator, Tina Brunjes. “Young hunters should apply for this hunt. I guarantee it will be a hunt that they’ll tell their grandchildren about.”
For more information about season, regulations and elk hunting in Kentucky, visit the department’s Internet site at fw.ky.gov.
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