First elk sighting in SC in nearly 300 years, biologists say

wyff4 ^ | 26 Oct 2016 | Ron Barnett

[DUMBGRUNT]

Could be an early symptom of karoshi?

But I never believed in that crap!
Never happened with my guys!
They always pass out first!

[COBOL2Java]

Or it could be it actually moves. You never know with the B.P.O.E.... ;-)

[babble-on]

It’s a western elk, a juvenile male kicked out of the growing herd that was successfully re-established in the Smoky Mountains National Park. He represented competition, so he is booted out of the herd to seek a mate, but he will not find one in South Carolina.

[IYAS9YAS]

loss of habitat.

Bull.

Crap.

[thulldud]

IIRC, it was felt if he could not tell the difference between elk and deer he should not have been hunting.

Like the fellow who brought his accidentally-shot partner into the ER: "We couldn't save him...he mighta had a chance if you hadn't field-dressed him."

Btw, they're both delicious. Elk and deer, that is....

[Vinnie]

Biologist said elk were eliminated from the southern Appalachian Mountains in the late 1700s due to over-hunting and loss of habitat.

Loss of habitat in the 1700s. LOL
They throw that out just automatically.

[exnavy]

Valid points all.

[Hot Tabasco]

In Michigan we have even had a wolverine unconfirmed sighting, The first since 1917

If we're talking about the same one, it was eventually found dead.....

The last wolverine

[Hot Tabasco]

In Michigan we have even had a wolverine unconfirmed sighting,

A lot more folks just might see one in the BCS Championship this season......(Sorry, someone had to say it)

[exnavy]

i believe that is it. didn’know it had died.

[exnavy]

Yes, I am an MSU fan, saturday may not be fun.

[dfwgator]

Anne Elk.

Host: Now, Miss Elk - Anne - you have a new theory about the brontosaurus.

Elk: Could I just say, Chris, for one moment that I have a new theory about the brontosaurus?

Host: Er... exactly. What is it?

Elk: Where?

Host: No, no, no. What is your theory?

Elk: Oh, what is my theory?

Host: Yes.

Elk: Oh what is my theory, that it is. Yes, well you may well ask, what is my theory.

Host: (slightly impatient) I am asking.

Elk: And well you may. Yes my word you may well ask what it is, this theory of mine. Well, this theory that I have--that is to say, which is mine-- ...is mine.

Host: (more impatient) I know it's yours. What is it?

Elk: Where? Oh, what is my theory?

Host: Yes!

Elk: Oh, my theory that I have follows the lines I am about to relate. (Coughs) Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem.

Host: Oh God.

Elk: Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. Ahem. [Impatient noises from Host] The Theory, by A. Elk. That's A for Anne, it's not by a elk.

Host: Right....

Elk: This theory which belongs to me is as follows. Ahem. Ahem. This is how it goes. Ahem. The next thing that I am about to say is my theory. Ahem. Ready?

(Host moans)

Elk: The Theory by A. Elk brackets Miss brackets. My theory is along the following lines.

Host: Oh God.

Elk: All brontosauruses are thin at one end, much MUCH thicker in the middle, and then thin again at the far end. That is the theory that I have and which is mine, and what it is too.

Host: That's it, is it?

Elk: Right, Chris.

Host: Well, Anne, this theory of yours seems to have hit the nail on the head.

Elk: And it's mine.

Host: (ironical) Thank you for coming along to the studio.

Elk: My pleasure, Chris.

[Axenolith]

Yes, bear. I don’t know if they have tags for elk yet or not, they had a seed population somewhere there 20+ years ago, seems they’d have high enough numbers by now.

[damper99]

Not exactly cold climate, high mountain animals. Kentucky’s elk herd is about 10,000 and they give out around 1,000 permits.

[Axenolith]

Wow, I guess they’ve done well, from VDGIF:

Elk of either sex, antlered or antlerless, may be taken during any open deer season using weapons legal for deer during that season (except that elk season is closed in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.)

The taking of an elk counts toward the hunter’s daily and license year bag limit for deer.
Licenses, tag validation, and checking requirements for elk are the same as for deer.
It is unlawful to destroy the identity (sex) of any harvested elk until checked. Elk may be dismembered to pack it out from the place of kill. The identity of the sex and all parts of the carcass must be present when the elk is checked.
Successful hunters, upon checking an elk, must contact the Department at (804) 367-0044 to schedule the collection of biological samples for disease testing. This number is intended only to make arrangements to obtain tissue samples from harvested elk. No other game checking or other wildlife issues will be answered using this number. For general wildlife questions, call (804) 367-1000 during normal business hours.

[wastoute]

So in VA you could tag an elk with a deer tag?

[Paleo Pete]

Climate change. And the elk know it.

What happens in winter? Elk move south. What happens when a mini ice age is coming? Elk move way south.

Someone said bears and such will be next. Probably true, moose too. I’m already having trouble growing tomatoes and such here in Texas, the past 2 years my garden was crap. This year only the Tabasco peppers did well, I Just picked another 3 cups or so yesterday, already have 4 quart size zip lock bags dried and ready for the blender.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but I’ve been expecting animals to start migrating further south, it just depends on how soon the harsh winters really set in. We should also see buffalo, moose, bears, arctic wolves, and others start moving further south in advance of harsher winters, when they know their familiar northern habitat will become less hospitable for their prey or forage.

So...when I say climate change, I mean what’s really happening...solar energy decline, disappearing sunspots...get ready folks, light snows in places already, long before thanksgiving...it’s on the way.

[Axenolith]

Looks like it. I’ll check with pops sometime, he’d know for sure.

[wastoute]

I have quit hunting anyway. Haven’t in 6 years. If I couldn’t bag a wall hanger white tail what chance would I have at an elk?

[SJackson]

Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

Since they've been reintroduced in TN, KY and Smokey Mt National Park, this isn't surprising.