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Elk

In 1929, Roosevelt elk were transplanted from Washington State to Afognak Island near Kodiak. Over the years, their population has grown from the original eight to approximately 1200. Elk are now found on both Afognak and Raspberry Islands near Kodiak. Elk transplants in Southeast Alaska were unsuccessful in the 1920s, 30s, and 60s. Another transplant attempt was made in the spring of 1987.

In 1987, thirty-three Roosevelt elk were released at Dewey Anchorage on the southwest side of Etolin Island. Just north of Johnson Cove on the northwest shore of Etolin, seventeen Rocky Mountain elk were released. Twenty-eight of the 50 elk released were radio-collared to allow biologists to track their survival.

Life was hard for the elk in the first 18 months. About two-thirds of the elk died from predation, starvation, and accidents. Many thought that this last elk transplant would turn out like the other attempts. Surveys taken in 1993 suggested that the population was starting to stabilize and may have increased. Today the elk population on Etolin Island is estimated at 300-450 animals.

Elk is a member of the deer family. The elk is much larger than a deer but not as large as a moose. They are brown to grayish-brown with a chestnut mane and a yellowish rump. The Roosevelt elk is larger than the Rocky Mountain elk with bulls weighing up to 1,300 pounds. The bull Rocky Mountain elk weighs up to 700 pounds. Both species stand about five feet tall at the shoulder but the Roosevelt elks body is about two feet longer at eight feet. The cows of both species are smaller than the bulls.

Like the other members of the deer family, only the bulls have antlers. The very large antlers sweep back over the shoulders with spikes pointing forward. Antlers on mature bulls may be up to five feet long with many tines. In September, the bulls join herds of cows and calves to mate during the rut or rutting. During the rut, bulls emit a high-pitched whistle or bugle. Occasionally, pushing and shoving matches occur when bulls fight with each other to win females. By mid-October most of the rut is complete and the larger herds disperse to find food for the winter. During the winter, bulls loose their antlers, growing a new set each spring.

Many people are concerned about the competition between deer and elk because they eat the same food; shrubs, grasses, and buds on trees. Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Forest Service biologists are studying this competition and developing a plan to manage both species.

Don't be surprised if you see elk, even if you're not on Etolin Island. Elk are good swimmers and have established a population on Zarembo Island. There have been reports of elk on Wrangell, Mitkof, Kupreanof, Prince of Wales and Farm Islands.

For more information about elk, view the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Notebook Series.