Revered as a symbol of the American West, they have played an important role in Colorados ecology and natural history. The population of Colorado in 2020 was 5,784,865, a 0.46% increase from 2019. The two biggest herds, out of the states 10 herd locations, are the Yakima herd (approximately 12,000 elk) and the Mount St Helens herd (approximately 11 13,000 elk). The most recent estimations we could find said there are about 900 elk total on Rasberry and Afognak Island, and another 400 on other islands, mainly Etolin and Zarembo Island. A single calf weighing about thirty-three pounds is born in June. Elk arrived in northern Colorado about 8,00010,000 years ago. Almost all of the elk had been extirpated from New Mexico by the early 1900s. Lock Gestation takes about 250 days, and a single calf weighing about thirty-three pounds is born in June. Colorado while fewer elk wintered in the park and Estes Valley. That's the largest elk population in North America. According to a quote from the Wildlife Department made in a 2019 news article, the current elk population in Oklahoma is about 5,000. This dataset represents Elk Resident Population Areas which are defined as an area used year-round by a population of elk. Find data a mile high on the Centennial State. Only male elk have antlers. After elk populations rebounded, the state trapped elk from herds in southwest Colorado and transplanted them to other states to begin new herds. Sometimes they are too adaptable, and threaten to out-compete native wildlife for food and land. In southern Colorado game management units (GMUs) 80, 81, 771, 78, 751, 77, and 75 have elk, By: Compiled by Trey Spaulding, Valley Publishing Managing Editor, Updated: 3 years ago / Posted May 15, 2020. Many hunters would like to see an attempt at reintroducing elk to the state, however the department of natural resources does not currently have any plans to do so. Elk, or wapitia Shawnee Indian term for the animalsmoved across the Bering Strait from Asia at least 120,000 years ago. Well talk about the populations that are estimated in each state as well as where they can be found and any interesting facts about Elk that are specific to the particular state. Another bull may challenge that authority through sparring, an antler-clashing battle for dominance. Key differences between the Decennial Census, Population Estimates Program and the American Community Survey. Elk, which were extirpated from the state in the late 1800s, have made a comeback in Michigan. Winter herds disband as bulls move first to summer range, following the retreating snowline and the advance of green herbage. Elk often move into areas of higher elevation during the spring, and move back down into valleys during winter. The Idaho Department of Fish & Game has a very comprehensive elk management plan to monitor populations and regulate hunting, which has become very popular in the state. For population by age, USAFacts grouped people ages 04 in different ways depending on the census. elk to estimate sex ratios and age ratios (young/100 females.) Colorados elk had a similar experience. entrega los datos para que los estados comiencen las actividades de redistribucin legislativa. The Sangre de Cristo GMUs are at population objectives or greater than 10 percent above objectives. According to the Durango Herald, wildlife officials whittled down ballooning elk numbers in the 1990s and they've yet to bounce back. Elk have been successfully restored to Colorado. The Peach State, with a 2020 population of 10,711,908, added 1,024,255 people last decade, making it one of five states with the largest numeric increases. View how race and ethnicity have changed by state from the 2010 Census and 2020 Census. The crisp air of late September carries the bugling of bulls, signaling the beginning of the rut, or mating, season. The Bluegrass State added 166,469 people since 2010, a 3.8% increase to 4,505,836. Colorado is home to the largest elk population in the world. One of the best known migrations in the United States is when elk from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem travel in numbers of over 200,000 strong south into Jackson, Wyoming. Winter herds disband as bulls move to summer range. Population of the Cornhusker State grew 7.4% to 1,961,504 from 2010 to 2020. Measurement of Race and Ethnicity Across the Decades: 17902020. This vocalization, which can sound like a screeching high pitched whistle, is called bugling and can be heard over large distances. The site allows data users to search geographies down to the block level and access data through tables, maps and downloads. The need for such strategies shows Colorados elk population has recovered. Colorado boasts the largest population of elk in North America with an estimated 290,000. Thats right, you can get an elk burger on Maui at the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. How to Visualize 2020 Census Redistricting Data for Your Area. A re-introductory effort was made in the 1950s with some elk from Pacific coast herds (Rocky Mountain elk and Roosevelt elk). Bugling peaks in early October. The US Forest Service estimated that Colorados 1910 population contained 500 to 1,000 head of elk. David M. Armstrong, James P. Fitzgerald, and Carron A. Meaney, Mammals of Colorado 2nd ed. Bugling peaks in early October, and the most aggressive bulls assert authority over bands of five to fifteen cows. ELK 2017 POST-HUNT POPULATION ESTIMATES Post-Hunt DAU Herd Name Game Management Units (GMUs) Population Bull / Cow Ratio/100 E-1 Cold Springs 2, 201 860 22 . The Big Sky Country State grew 9.6% from 2010 to 2020, raising its population to 1,084,225. Bugling is neither a challenge nor a threat. Email. The assessment was necessary after the largest wildfire in Colorado history, called the Cameron Peak Fire, burned nearly 209,000 . 94-171). COLORADO: 2020 Census. Local Population Changes and Nations Racial and Ethnic Diversity. In this Data Gem, you will learn how to use the 2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer to easily visualize 2020 Redistricting Data for your area. These attempts were ultimately unsuccessful due to poaching and disease. They often can be found in mountainous terrain. After elk populations grew, the state trapped elk from herds in southwest Colorado. And dont forget those large antlers, you dont want to tangle with that! The Public Law 94-171 data is intended to inform the state and local redistricting process. The U.S. Census Bureau is providing redistricting data as legacy format summary files for all states on August 12, 2021. Some content on this site is available in several different electronic formats. But when the Eastern elk went extinct due to over hunting by the end of the 1800s, so too were all elk gone from Mississippi. Population by Race and Ethnicity 2020 Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity and Age 2020 Counties, Population Change by Age 2000-2020 Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity Change 2010-2020 Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity and Age Change 2010-2020 Counties, Population in Group Quarters by Type 2020 Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity 2020 Municipalities, Population Change 2000-2020 Municipalities, Population Change by Age 2000-2020 Municipalities, Population by Race and Ethnicity Change 2010-2020 Municipalities, Housing Unit Change 2000-2020 Municipalities, Population 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population by Age 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity and Age 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Housing Units 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population in Group Quarters 2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population Change 2010-2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population Change by Age 2010-2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population Change by Race and Ethnicity 22010-2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population Change by Race and Ethnicity and Age 2010-2020, Municipalities within Counties, Housing Units Change 2010-2020, Municipalities within Counties, Population by Race and Ethnicity 2020 Places, Percent Population Change by County, 2010-2020, Under 18 Population Change by County, 2010-2020, Under 18 Population Percent Change by County, 2010-2020, 18+ Population Change by County, 2010-2020, 18+ Population Percent Change by County, 2010-2020, Non-Hispanic White Percent of Population by County, Non-Hispanic White Percent of Population by Census Tract, Hispanic Percent of Population by Census Tract, Non-Hispanic Black Percent of Population by County, Non-Hispanic Black Percent of Population by Census Tract, Non-Hispanic American Indian Percent of Population by County, Non-Hispanic American Indian Percent of Population by Census Tract, Non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander Percent of Population by County, Non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander Percent of Population by Census Tract, Natural Increase Rate by County, 2010-2020, 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Census Bureau), 2020 Census Visualizations (Census Bureau), State Demography Office Review of 2020 Census data release webinar. The Sunflower States population grew 3.0% to 2,937,880 from 2010 to 2020. Elk numbers have been declining in Southwest Colorado, going from an estimated 19,500 in 2015 to 16,889 in 2019, Weinmeister said. The need for such lethal management strategies demonstrates that Colorados elk population has cycled back to abundance after its severe reduction in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. America Counts today launches a state-by-state look at the demographic changes the new 2020 Census results reveal. If these methods are not successful in getting one of the males to back down, they will use their large antlers to fight each other. Chronic wasting disease (CWD)a contagious neurological disease affecting the brains of deer, moose, and elkis known in some Colorado elk populations, including those in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is believed many of these elk traveled across the boarder from New Mexico. Any comparison of data from before 1990 only includes the white, Black, and Other race/ethnicity categories. We will update this experience, including the 2010-2019 estimates, when the Bureau releases county-level 20102020 intercensal estimates by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. We couldnt find many specifics of the history except to say the population grew quickly year after year. We could not find any plans to reintroduce elk into the state, but perhaps that will change in the future. The calf develops quickly and is usually weaned by late summer. Snowpack in northwestern Colorado is 143 percent higher than the 30-year average. Because of the social structure of the herd, bulls do not generally acquire cows and begin breeding until their fourth or fifth year. Differential privacy is a mathematical approach inspired by modern cryptography principles that disguises an individuals identity in published data. Population of the Granite State increased 4.6% to 1,377,529 from 2010 to 2020. Other large herds can be found at the Pushmataha, Cookson Hills, Spavinaw, and Cherokee wildlife management areas. The Rhode Island DEM is very concerned about any imported cervids (members of the deer family) potential to introduce chronic wasting disease to the local populations of animals in the deer. Public Law 94-171 requires the Census to provide state legislatures with the small area census population tabulations necessary for legislative redistricting. The eastern elk was once present in Connecticut, however due to overhunting and habitat loss, they were extirpated from the state by the mid 1700s to 1800. Elk arrived in northern Colorado about 8,00010,000 years ago and in southern Colorado about 4,0005,000 years ago. Male elk are larger than the females, with an average weight of 392 1096 pounds to the females 375 644 pounds. Use caution when interpreting population changes that use different postcensal version estimates. Through some additional stocking and natural breeding, the population in Missouri today is approximately 200 elk. Even though there are no wild elk in the Hawaiian islands, there is a cattle ranch that is raising a few and using their meat for burgers. The Show Me States population increased 2.8% to 6,154,913 from 2010 to 2020. Elk harbor parasites, including flukes, tapeworms and roundworms, lice, botflies, and mites. The only mention of any wild elk we could find was a small herd of 10 seen in the 1990s on Buck Island Breeding Ranch. Here are some key national-level 2020 Census results to help you see how your state or county compares in each topic area: The 2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer is a web map application that includes state-, county-, and census tract-level data from the 2020 Census. The elk herds in Wyoming, of which there are about 35, range in size from a few hundred elk to around 11,000 elk. However, large elk populations can result in overgrazing that threatens ecosystem stability. Elk moved across the Bering Strait from Asia at least 120,000 years ago. Elk were historically plentiful in Montana, but with European settlers their numbers declined significantly. The data set provides tabulations by race and ethnicity, by voting age (for persons age 18 and older), housing occupancy, and the number of residents in Group Quarters facilities. Culling, meanwhile, involves killing off fertile females when the elk population approaches a predetermined peak population. A helicopter brings a pregnant elk into the landing zone for testing on Owl Creek Ranch in Snowmass on Friday, March 5, 2021. After elk populations rebounded, the state trapped elk from herds in southwest Colorado and took them to other states to begin new herds. The diminishing elk herds prompted Colorado to halt elk hunting throughout most of the state from 1903 to 1933. A collection of 2020 Census Redistricting videos produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. 112 elk from Colorado and Nebraska were brought into the Buffalo National River area. We did not see any talks to reintroduce elk, and deer remain the main cervids of the state. Any comparison with the 1990 census to newer data will include the white, Black, and two categories added that year: American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian or Pacific Islander.. Females are called cows and are roughly half that size. Nickname: The Centennial State. Understand the shifts in demographic trends with these charts visualizing decades of populationdata. There are no wild elk living in Vermont today. In Colorado, Navajo, Ute, Jicarilla Apache, Havasupai, Hopi, Zuni, and other peoples harvested elk in the southern Rocky Mountains and the Four Corners region. An elk restoration was initiated in 2001-2002 when 52 elk from the Manitoban subspecies were released into the Cataloochee Valley area of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunting opportunities are divided into 39 different DAUs. To sign up for updates please enter your email address. That brings us to the topic of this article, where we will dive into what the elk population is in each U.S. state, any notable areas to find them, and also which states do not have any elk. However a small herd was kept at the Maxwell Wildlife area, which is a 2200 acre enclosed wildlife refuge. Through regulations and halts on hunting, and reintroduction of 350 elk from Wyoming, populations began to recover and today elk are found in abundance in Colorado. 3 (July, 2002). Where elk herds were large, native peoples hunted them for food, clothing, and tools. More. In this article we only discussed these North America elk, however there are eight other subspecies found in other parts of the world such as Siberia and Asia. However the rising elk population in neighboring Kentucky began to spill over into Virginia in the late 1990s. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Hawkeye State grew 4.7% to 3,190,369 from 2010 to 2020. The estimated statewide 2018 post-hunt moose population is 3,240. A pack of coyotes can kill a weakened elk or one immobilized by deep snow. Winter elk herds are large, ranging from fifty to several hundred individuals of both sexes. Colorado's population increased 11 out of the 11 years between year 2010 and year 2021. With elk in neighboring states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia though, its possible they could start reestablishing themselves in the future. Contrary to popular belief, bugling is neither a challenge nor a threat. For the 2023 big game season, state wildlife biologists . More recently, Rocky Mountain elk have gained a foothold in the Trans Pecos and eastern Panhandle. 2020 Census Redistricting: Supplementary Tables, These tables present aggregated data on race and Hispanic origin from the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (P.L. Where elk herds were large, indigenous peoples hunted them for food, clothing, and tools. The calves are mobile within hours of birth. Every year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) big-game biologists compile data on the state's deer, elk and pronghorn herds by data analysis units (DAU). Cow and calves follow bulls to summer range, and the great winter herds break up into smaller bands. Their current preference for forest cover is thought to be an innovation. It was difficult to find official numbers, but an article published at the end of 2019 quoted the Game and Parks department as giving an estimate of 2500 3000 elk. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. In southern Colorado GMUs 80, 81, 771, 78, 751, 77, and 75 have elk populations that are greater than 10 percent below population objectives. The West Region is made up of 13 states: eight in the Mountain West and five in the Pacific division. The Old Line State added more than 400,000 people from 2010 to 2020, raising its population to 6,177,224. This gives Kentucky the largest elk population east of the Mississippi River. Post-hunt winter population estimates from 2018 are the most recent estimates available because 2019 post-hunt surveys are still being collected and processed In 1910 there were only about 5,000 elk remaining in the northwest corner of the state. People living in group quarters, such as nursing homes, military barracks, and college/university student housing, are among the unique populations counted in the 2020 Census. Clear 1 Table. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Comparing Differential Privacy With Older Disclosure Avoidance Methods. This blog discusses how we improved the census questions on race and Hispanic origin, also known as ethnicity, between 2010 and 2020. The 2013-2014 winter elk population estimates support these observations with lower numbers of elk in the park (185) and Estes Valley (330) (Hobbs 2014). Aside from these few randomly roaming elk, we did not see any mention of Louisiana having plans to reintroduce the species to the state. ElkResidentPopulationArea is an ESRI SDE Feature Class depicting resident population areas for elk in Colorado. CWDs most common symptom is chronic weight loss. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. However there are elk next door, in Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina. Table . The current population estimate for elk in West Virginia as of fall 2020 is 85 animals. The calves can walk within hours of birth. The Magnolia States population declined 0.2% from 2010 to 2020 to 2,961,279. The Rocky Mountain elk stay mainly in the eastern part of the state with a large group in the Blue Mountains. They try to intimidate each other with loud vocalizations and displaying their antlers. Through the introduction of laws and diligent conservation, they were saved from extinction. From 1912 to 1928, the Colorado Department of Game and Fish reintroduced 350 elk from Jackson Hole, Wyoming into fourteen areas. Infected elk are less social and may suffer from tremors, listlessness, nervousness, and excessive salivation. In fact, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is very concerned about chronic wasting disease and has strict regulations about importing outside cervid (deer family) animals or meat into the state. Subscribers to the State Demography Office Newsletter will receive updates when new data files are posted. Unfortunately the elk sub species that was originally native to New Mexico, Merriams elk, is extinct. Below we will list some info about Elk populations in each U.S. state. In a few cases, only one GMU makes up a DAU. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Colorados elk populations have changed over time. They live in Colorados forests. From 1912 to 1928, the Colorado Department of Game and Fish reintroduced 350 elk from Jackson Hole, Wyoming into fourteen areas. Elk Population By State (Estimates and Info) by Wildlife Informer The Elk ( Cervus canadensis ), also known as wapiti, is among the largest land mammals in North America. Winter herds disband as bulls move to summer range. The most recent county-level data available by age, race, sex, and ethnicity are the Vintage 2020 Population Estimates (census.gov) for 2010 to 2019 and the Vintage 2021 Population Estimates (census.gov) for 2020 and 2021. William L. Baker et al., The Effects of Elk on Aspen in the Winter Range in Rocky Mountain National Park, Ecography 20, no. In the late 1990s re-introduction of elk was discussed and a habitat survey done, but no plans to go forward with reintroduction of elk to Illinois are in effective at the time of writing this article. If you wish view the full all article, watch this short video or subscribe now for full access. Based on past history it is likely closer to 20,000 plus in 2020. The elk herd is monitored and the last estimate was about 450 elk in Arkansas. March 2003. You can read more about the Alabama Elk Experiment at the DCNR page. Adapted from Scott Wait and Mike Japhet, Wildlife of the San Juans: A Story of Abundance and Exploitation, in The Eastern San Juan Mountains: Their Geology, Ecology, and Human History, ed. Every five years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife restructures the way it manages hunting seasons in the state, such as how . Cows are mature by their second autumn. These provisional estimates are postcensal estimates, and the final estimates are intercensal estimates. USAFacts used the final intercensal estimates for 1970 through 2009 and the provisional postcensal estimates for 2010 and after. There are two subspecies of elk found in Oregon. The South Region has eight states and the District of Columbia in the South Atlantic, four states in East South Central and four states in West South Central. Part of the issue may be lack of viable habitat, as finding large tracks of contiguous woods in Indiana is difficult. The last native elk was reported in Pennsylvania in the 1870s. 94-171 Redistricting Data. Their herding behavior is typical of mammals that live in open country. Some people have claimed to have spotted a few elk here and there in the very northern part of the state in recent years, but those sightings arent confirmed. The North American elk is a gregarious grazer. The Sunshine States 14.6% population growth from 2010 to 2020 pushed it past New York as the nations third most populous state. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious disease affecting the brains of deer, moose, and elk. Elk are found in many countries around the world, and have proven to be an adaptable species when introduced to new areas. Most archery hunters can only hunt bulls in the area. Data from 2000 onward will also include the Two or more race category. Many states have also implemented successful reintroduction programs, so some of these states may have elk in the future. The North American elk is a gregarious grazer, feeding mostly on grasses and forbs instead of shrubs. Where elk appeared in abundance, indigenous peoples hunted them for food, clothing, and tools. With large herds containing thousands of elk, this can be quite an impressive migration! Estimates from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife page put the population of Roosevelt elk at about 59,000 and Rocky Mountain elk at more than 74,000. CWDs common denominator is chronic weight loss, which ultimately leads to death. Keep up with the latest data and most popular content, Vintage 2020 Population Estimates (census.gov), Vintage 2021 Population Estimates (census.gov). The Midwest has five states in the East North Central part of the region and seven in the West North Central. Between 2007 and 2013, Colorados estimated statewide deer population declined from roughly 600,000 deer to approximately 390,000 deer. Ohio hasnt had a population of wild elk in over 175 years. These DAUs encompass several of the game management units (GMU) that hunters are more familiar with. Comparison pages include footnotes explaining that pre-2000 and post-2000 data comparisons will result in lower values for the separate race categories in proportion to the expected two or more race population. These elk were brought into the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan County. Colorados statewide elk population, the largest in the United States, peaked in 2001 at 305,000 animals. There is not currently any breeding population of wild elk in Illinois. The largest elk herds are the Laramie Peak/Muddy Mountain herd and the Jackson Hole herd. Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) are large mammals in the deer family that live in Colorados forests. Browse our collection of stories and more. Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) are large mammals in the deer family that live in Colorados forests. These were the only categories included before 1990 for the available data. Habitat loss and overhunting wiped out the elk from Wisconsin by the 1880s. Colorado now boasts the largest elk population - about 280,000 animals - in North America. It can be found in some Colorado elk populations. Please visit this page frequently to get the latest tables. Georgia currently does not have a breeding population of elk. While GMUs 76, 79, 791, 682 are greater than 10 percent above objectives. Since Georgias neighbors to the north Tennessee and North Carolina do have elk populations, its likely that elk from those states occasionally pass through Georgia. This reduced the elk population from about 10 million to fewer than 100,000 in 1907. They were released in five counties to attempt to reestablish the population. At six months, it may weigh 265 pounds. The Last Frontier State was the least densely populated state in 2020 with a population of 733,391 (1.3 people per square mile), up 3.3% from 2010. The population has had ups and downs over the last 200 years and has also shifted in north, central and southern Idaho. Includes the official data, documentation, and support materials to assist in accessing P.L. A collection of static data tables, shapefiles, and other resources for Colorado Regions, Counties, Municipalities, and Census Designated Places. Elk were periodically brought in from Yellowstone in an effort to boost the population, and it worked. The other eight herds are the Olympic, Willapa Hills, Colockum, Blue Mountains, North Rainier, South Rainier, Selkirk and North Cascades. Today there are about 1,350 elk in Pennsylvania. This dataset represents that part of the winter range of elk where densities are at least 200% greater than the surrounding winter range density during the average five winters. Pervious estimates suggest approximately 700 1000 elk in the state. About 250,000 hunters pursue elk each year in Colorado, harvesting nearly 50,000. Additional tables will be posted as they are compiled. States may use these data on race, Hispanic origin, and the voting-age population to redraw electoral district boundaries. In the early 1980s elk from Manitoba began to cross the boarder to spend spring and summer in Kittson and Roseau counties. The content on this page includes a link to a non-government website. There is an interesting article about a man in Louisiana that hit an elk with his truck, and the article said that some captive elk were set free in 2005 when hurricane Katrina hit the and demolished fences on the elk enclosures, releasing them to the wild. About 250,000 hunters pursue elk each year in Colorado, harvesting nearly 50,000. It is believed that todays North American subspecies are descendants from elk that lived in Beringia, which was the area that used to connect the two continents of Asia and North America during the Pleistocene epoch. The statewide 2018 post-hunt population objective range is 233,000-282,000. About one-third of those elk lived in the Yellowstone area and Canada. The statewide 2018 post-hunt population objective range is 233,000-282,000. The Nations Capital joined 13 states with the biggest growth spurts from 2010 to 2020, with its population jumping 14.6% to nearly 690,000. CWDs most common symptom is chronic weight loss. Since 2017 CPW has allowed moose hunting in 63 GMUs, an increase from 39 GMUs in 2013. Use binoculars or a. Another bull may challenge that authority through sparring. We werent able to find any specific recent population numbers, and this may be because a population distribution and monitoring effort that began in 2019 is still ongoing. The diminishing elk herds prompted Colorado to halt elk hunting throughout most of the state from 1903 to 1933. Elk are the top big game species in Utah next to mule deer. Colorados elk populations have changed over time. Mountain lions still take a few annually. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in the northwest portion of Wisconsin received the first 25 reintroduced elk in 1995. Most DAUs are composed of multiple Game Management Units (GMUs), which are designed to distribute hunters within the DAU. Hunters and outfitters have increasingly expressed concerns that elk populations are becoming too low in some herds, despite the fact that 22 of 42 (52%) of the elk herds are above their current population objective ranges.