Yes, elk are present in Alaska, but their distribution is highly localized, confined primarily to a few isolated island groups. These populations are not native to the state, but are the result of intentional introduction efforts aimed at increasing wildlife diversity and providing hunting opportunities. Unlike the state’s widespread caribou or moose, Alaska’s elk herds are sustained in specific maritime climates.
How Elk Arrived in Alaska
The elk currently inhabiting Alaska are not indigenous to the region, although fossil evidence suggests an extinct subspecies once lived in the Interior during the Pleistocene epoch. Modern populations originated from transplants from the Pacific Northwest, with the first successful attempt occurring in 1929. This initial translocation involved eight Roosevelt elk calves captured on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and released onto Afognak Island, just north of Kodiak Island.
The goal of these early efforts was to establish a new game species for recreational hunting and a food source for local residents. A second major transplant followed in 1987 when 50 elk were moved from Oregon to Etolin Island in Southeast Alaska. This group was a mix of 33 Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) and 17 Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), contributing to the genetic makeup of the southern herds.
Roosevelt elk, the larger of the two subspecies, were chosen for their robust size and adaptability to the temperate, wet island environments. These initiatives were driven by the desire to diversify the local ecology. The successful establishment of these introduced groups laid the groundwork for the herds that exist today.
Where Alaska’s Elk Herds Live
Alaska’s elk populations are contained within two main geographic areas, representing the two successful transplant sites. The largest population is found in the Kodiak Archipelago, thriving on Afognak and the adjacent Raspberry Island. The Afognak Island herd is the oldest and most numerous, with a total estimated count for both islands exceeding 1,000 animals.
The habitat is characterized by a temperate, maritime climate featuring dense Sitka spruce forests and open understories of blueberry and salmonberry. The Afognak elk are distributed across seven distinct herds, utilizing this mix of dense cover and open grazing areas. On Raspberry Island, the population is managed at a smaller size, typically ranging between 150 and 200 animals, with a focus on producing trophy-sized bulls.
The second, smaller population is located in Southeast Alaska, centered on Etolin and Zarembo Islands near Petersburg. This herd, which includes both Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk genetics, numbers approximately 400 individuals and is established in the region’s dense coastal rainforest. While the herds remain isolated on these islands, individual elk have been known to swim to neighboring islands.
Managing the Alaskan Elk Population
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) manages the state’s elk herds to balance population health with public demand for hunting. Management goals for the Afognak and Raspberry Island herds aim to maintain a combined minimum population of 1,000 elk. This goal is achieved through monitoring techniques, including annual aerial composition surveys to estimate abundance and track demographics like calf-to-cow ratios.
Hunting is the primary method for controlling population size and distribution, but regulations are highly specific due to the isolated nature of the herds. Access is managed through a special drawing permit system, which acts as a lottery to limit the number of hunters and maintain sustainable harvest levels. ADFG also utilizes registration hunts to allow for a flexible harvest until a quota is met, particularly for cow elk.
For instance, the Raspberry Island herd is managed with the objective of maintaining a smaller population of around 150 animals with a high bull-to-cow ratio. This strategy specifically promotes the growth of older, larger trophy bulls. The department reviews harvest data and population status to set annual quotas and adjust the number of available permits.