Kentucky honored for elk restoration

When The Wildlife Society holds its Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, next month, the host state will be honored with this year’s Wildlife Restoration Award.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources earned the award for its elk restoration and management plan. The award recognizes outstanding projects supported by Wildlife Restoration funds, also known as Pittman-Robertson funds, and associated nonfederal matching funds.

Kentucky was recognized for its success in reintroducing elk to the state. Between 1997 and 2002, managers translocated 1,541 elk to the Kentucky from Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Utah.

“Kentucky now has the largest elk herd and the most elk hunting permits available east of the Rocky Mountains,” the agency said.

The efforts succeeded despite concerns that disease would doom elk reintroduction in the Southeast. An elk management plan serves as a roadmap for long-term management goals to maintain the population and conserve habitat.

“The total economic impact to the state from elk hunting is estimated at more than $3.5 million each year, largely benefiting the economically challenged Appalachian region,” the agency said.