We are not overly fond of elk - don't hunt so they are of no value to us. They are a nuisance; break down our fences, destroy our trees and plants and generally make a mess in our yard. They also eat a tremendous amount of our pasture grass - which should be available to the animals that we want here. Instead it's necessary to buy hay to feed the domestic animals that inhabit our land because the elk leave so little forage for them in the winter.
This young bull just stands there making chewing noises and looking at us like he'd prefer to be a pet - got a carrot? Even trying to make him run away does not work.
Several years ago a neighbor remarked to us that he didn't feel that he could complain about the damage the elk do to his property because they were "here before us." I explained to him that it may very well be true that the elk were here before HIM but not before my husband or his family. That it is not natural for there to be so many in the area. Forever and ever it was a wondrous thing to see an elk in the valley because they were rare - and it was the fortunate hunter who bagged his animal in the fall. Then some elk group decided that we needed more of the great and beautiful creatures in our area and imported a bunch of them - I think this was in the 1950's.
Now they are a nuisance and cause problems for the people who live here - many of us prior to the importation of these animals. The tourists like to stop at the Elk Viewing area and admire them and take pictures. But, those of us who have to live with the creatures have a different view of them - not quite so idealistic. Mostly we feel that they would look really pretty wrapped in freezer paper in someone's cold storage unit.
There are two separate elk herds up Dean Creek Road. We call them the nursery herds. Each consists of a dozen or so cows with their calves. They will allow the young bulls to remain with the herd until they become spikes - they are "encouraged" to leave the herd at that time. And when an 800-pound cow encourages you to do ANYTHING, if you're smart, you do it. They probably won't allow this young bull to join the herd until just before the rut this fall. So, I guess he's lonely and decided to join our "herd."
Elk are supposed to be browsers - not grazers. They are supposed to be in the woods and hillsides eating brush. Not in our pastures eating grass. But, it's an easier life for them to graze with local cattle and horses - especially since some neighbors feed them hay in the winter. They have forgotten how to be wild elk. They also have diseases and parasites that they wouldn't have if they were living the way they are meant to live. Some years the elk die off. We've had to bury several that have died in our pasture in the last 3 decades. A few years ago about 10 died up Dean Creek Road and a bunch died at the Elk Viewing area. Local buzzards were very happy - but no one else was. One young, healthy looking calf died in our pasture and the Game Warden I spoke to about it said that from the description I gave him it sounded like the poor thing died of lung worm - something that was only too common that particular year.
Animals, like humans, do not do well when population numbers are too high. Disease and other problems occur that would not happen otherwise. Stocking the area with non-native elk seemed like a great idea in the 1950's, and it was not a bad idea. But, allowing the populations to grow so large is not wise.
Of course I had to take photos and go out and baby-talk him to see how close I could get - about 10 feet was his limit before he would walk away from me and stop and start chewing and waiting for me to come closer. I wonder if I can get close enough to pet him? Yeah - I'm just a softy too. And if someone shoots him this fall, I'll have to go in the house so no one will see me cry over him. Shameful though that is to admit. ; )
These photos were taken just as the sun was going down - so they are not as clear as they would be in bright daylight.