This is the second article in an occasional series on elk in Kentucky.
From 1997 through 2002, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife employees live-trapped 1,547 elk from wild herds in Kansas, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, and North Dakota, and transported them by truck to eight stocking sites in Harlan, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Perry and Pike counties.
With stocking completed, the harvest management phase of Kentucky’s elk project commenced with the first hunt.
On Oct. 6, 2001, Tracy Cerise went to one knee and looked through the leaves for the right moment to shoot as a big bull elk materialized in the timber, its antlers swaying from side to side as it walked.
Cerise made hunting history in Kentucky when he downed a 700-pound, 6-by-6 (12-point) bull on a reclaimed mine site, near where the Breathitt, Perry and Knott county lines converge.
It was the first elk taken in Kentucky in 150 years.
Kentucky’s elk population began to increase rapidly following the last stocking in 2002. By 2005, the herd estimate had climbed to almost 6,000, by 2007, almost 8,000, and by 2010, the project goal of 10,000 was reached. (Photo by KDFWR)
Here are some facts and observations on elk in Kentucky since hunting began in 2001:
• Kentucky’s elk population began to increase rapidly following the last stocking in 2002. By 2005, the herd estimate had climbed to almost 6,000; by 2007, almost 8,000, and by 2010, the project goal of 10,000 was reached.
• Elk thrived in Kentucky. Initial telemetry studies found that Kentucky elk achieved a 90 percent breeding success rate, and a 92 percent calf survival rate. The absence of predators, relatively mild winters and abundant food sources contributed to the remarkable population growth and high body condition. Kentucky elk were on average 15 percent larger, and developed larger antlers at an earlier age, than elk living in western states.
• The establishment of a large, quality elk herd in southeastern Kentucky created one of the most sought-after hunting opportunities east of the Rocky Mountains. Through the years the number of participants in the elk application lottery grew significantly, from about 5,000 at the start of hunting, to about 70,000 by 2015. The cost of the elk lottery application is $10.
• As elk numbers increased, so did the number of permits awarded to hunters drawn in the application lottery. For the 2001-03 seasons, 10 tags were awarded. In 2004, the number of permits was increased to 40, and 200 by 2006.
The number of elk permits continued to increase annually, reaching 1,000 for the first time in 2009. In the following years the number of permits awarded to hunters drawn in the application lottery were: 2010, 800; 2011, 800; 2012, 900; 2013, 1,000; 2014, 1,000; 2015, 900, and 2016, 900.
Additionally, there are four categories of special elk tags awarded, including Commission, Landowner Access, Youth, and Late Season. A maximum of 10 percent of elk permits are awarded to non-residents.
Demand is greatest for the bull firearms permit and lowest for the cow archery hunts.
• The cost of an Elk Permit is $100 for a bull, and $60 for a cow elk for residents, and $550 for a bull and $400 for a cow elk for non-residents. Youth elk permits are $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents.
• Legal weapons for elk hunting include: centerfire rifles, .270 caliber or greater; traditional and modern in-line muzzleloaders, .50 caliber or larger, traditional and compound bows, and crossbows. Fixed blade broadheads must be at least 7/8 inches wide.
• In 2004, the Out-of-Zone Elk Permit debuted. It allowed hunters who posses an annual Kentucky hunting license and an Out-of-Zone Elk Permit to take elk in any county outside Kentucky’s elk zone. This prevented populations from becoming established outside the elk zone, in agricultural areas.
Hunters must follow deer season regulations and use only the legal elk hunting equipment, but they are not required to possess a Statewide Deer Permit. The cost of an Out-of-Zone Elk Permit is $30 for residents, and $400 for non-residents.
Initial telemetry studies found that Kentucky elk achieved a 90 percent breeding success rate, and a 92 percent calf survival rate. The absence of predators, relatively mild winters and abundant food sources contributed to the remarkable population growth and high body condition. (Photo by Art Lander Jr.)
• For the 2018 season, 250 bull and 450 cow elk permits will be awarded, unchanged from 2017 season, as is the allotment among tag types: 150 firearms permits and 100 archery/crossbow permits for bulls, and 290 firearms permits and 160 archery/crossbow permits for cow elk.
• Kentucky elk have not displayed any large-scale migratory tendencies. Through the years elk have been taken in counties adjacent to, or near the elk zone, but a few have wandered into the central, and even far western Kentucky.
During the 2012 season five elk, one bull and four cows, were taken by hunters in Hardin County, which is about halfway across the state from the elk zone.
• Beginning in 2005, the elk harvest began to increase dramatically. In 2009, the harvest record was set at 778. Since 2010 Kentucky’s elk harvest has averaged 533, with a high of 678 in 2013, and a low of 335 last season.
Generally, the top Kentucky counties in elk harvest have been the counties closest to the eight original elk release sites. Based on elk harvest data posted on the KDFWR website, Knott County has led the state in elk harvest since 2005. During the 2009 season, the first year that 1,000 permits were awarded to hunters drawn in the application lottery, 250 of the 778 elk taken by hunters, were killed in Knott County.
In six of the seven years since the 2011 season, Knott, Leslie and Perry counties have led the state in elk harvest.
• In a 2018 KDFWR news release, Gabe Jenkins, deer and elk program coordinator said, “our elk herd is strong and healthy, however, the herd dynamics have changed in recent years. Hunters will have to work to be successful and time spent scouting will greatly increase chances for success.”
Hunter success rates have been high since hunting began in 2001, but have declined somewhat in recent years as more elk have moved into remote woodland areas, to feed on hard mast, and escape hunting pressure in open areas.
The KDFWR 2014-15 elk report noted:
• The hunter success rate for firearms bull elk hunters ranged from a high of 100 percent to just below 85 percent between 2001 and 2014.
• Between 2011 and 2014, bull archery hunters posted a hunter success rate ranging from about 67 to 77 percent.
• Firearms cow elk hunters experienced the biggest decline in hunter success rate through the years, from 100 percent in 2002, to about 50 percent by 2014.
• Between 2001 and 2014, the hunter success rate for archery cow elk hunters ranged between about 34 and 46 percent.
Hunter success rates have been high since hunting began in 2001, but have declined somewhat in recent years as more elk have moved into remote woodland areas, to feed on hard mast, and escape hunting pressure in open areas. (Art Lander Jr. Photo)
• In 2017, the hunter success rate for firearms bull elk hunters was 64 percent, and 48 percent for archery bull elk hunters. The hunter success rate for archery cow elk hunters was 28 percent, and 47 percent for firearms cow elk hunters.
• Kentucky’s first Boone and Crockett Club trophy elk was taken during the 2006 season by Franklin D. Scott of Garrett, Kentucky. His massive 6-year-old 7 X 7 (14 points, typical antlers) bull was taken in Knott County. It scored 361 4/8.
The minimum entry scored for the Boone and Crockett record book for an elk with typical antlers is 360.
• Hunters interested in entering the 2018 elk hunt drawing have until midnight (EST) April 30 to buy applications.
Hunters can apply online at the department’s website, fw.ky.gov.
Kentucky residents and non-residents are eligible to apply for four permit types but can only be drawn for one. Each application costs $10. This season 700 general quota hunt permits and 10 youth permits will be awarded.
Hunters ages 15 and younger also can apply for the youth-only quota hunt during the same application period as the general elk quota hunt drawing. They may apply for the general quota elk hunt drawing as well, but cannot be drawn for both in the same year.
A random computer drawing will be conducted in early May by the Kentucky Commonwealth Office of Technology to select the hunters eligible to buy elk permits.
Results of the draw will be available to applicants on the department’s website May 15.
