Kentucky is home to a thriving, free-ranging elk population, a surprising fact for many who associate the massive animals only with the American West. The Commonwealth’s conservation success story established the largest elk herd found anywhere east of the Mississippi River. Thousands of elk now roam the Appalachian landscape, providing a unique wildlife experience in the eastern United States. The herd’s comeback is the result of an ambitious restoration project that brought the native species back from complete extirpation.
The History of Elk Restoration in Kentucky
Elk were once native to Kentucky and were a common sight across the landscape before European settlement. Unregulated hunting and habitat destruction led to a swift decline, and by the mid-1800s, the species was entirely eliminated from the state’s wildlands. For over 150 years, the iconic bugling of a bull elk was absent from Kentucky’s mountains and forests, marking the complete extirpation of the animal.
Interest in restoring the elk population grew in the late 20th century, leading the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) to conduct a feasibility study in 1997. The study identified a large, biologically appropriate area in Eastern Kentucky with low population density and minimal commercial agriculture, which would minimize human-wildlife conflict.
The restoration project, which began in 1997 and concluded in 2002, became the largest elk reintroduction effort ever attempted in the eastern United States. The KDFWR translocated over 1,500 wild elk into the designated restoration zone, sourcing them from six different Western states: Utah, Kansas, Oregon, North Dakota, Arizona, and New Mexico. Relocating animals from multiple sources was a strategy to ensure high genetic diversity in the new herd, which contributed to the program’s success. The project aimed to re-establish a native species and create new opportunities for wildlife viewing and regulated hunting, leading to economic benefits for the region.
Where Kentucky’s Elk Herd Lives Today
The restored elk herd is concentrated in the Eastern portion of the state, specifically within the designated Elk Restoration Zone. This zone is a vast, free-ranging area covering 16 counties and encompassing approximately 4.1 to 4.3 million acres of the Cumberland Plateau. The mountainous region’s rugged terrain provides the seclusion and diverse forage the elk need to thrive.
The current estimated population size is a conservation achievement, with official reports indicating the herd is well over 10,000 animals. This population figure establishes Kentucky as the leader for elk populations east of the Rocky Mountains.
The elk’s preferred habitat within the zone is often the open grasslands created by the reclamation of former surface coal mines. These reclaimed mine lands offer expansive areas of early-successional vegetation, which serve as highly productive forage areas. The mix of open space for feeding and nearby forested ridges for cover allows the elk to move freely and reproduce successfully. The population’s robust health has even allowed Kentucky to serve as a source herd for other states, including Virginia and Wisconsin, as they pursue their own restoration efforts.
How the Public Can View Elk Safely
Observing the large, free-ranging elk herd is a major draw for tourism in Eastern Kentucky, and several locations are well-known for viewing opportunities. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Buckhorn State Resort Park both offer guided tours, which provide a reliable way to see the animals. For self-guided viewing, designated spots like the South Fork Elk View area and Elk View Drive, near Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park in Knott County, are popular choices.
The best times to spot elk are typically during the cooler hours of the day, particularly around dawn and dusk, when the animals are most active. Spring and fall are the premier seasons; the fall rut, or breeding season, is especially exciting as bull elk engage in the powerful, unmistakable vocalization known as “bugling”. Because the KDFWR manages the herd as a wild resource, viewers should be prepared for the animals to be unpredictable.
Observers should always maintain a safe and respectful distance, often recommended to be at least 100 yards, to avoid stressing or provoking the animals. Using binoculars or a telephoto lens is strongly encouraged, as is remaining inside or near a vehicle, especially in viewing areas like the Elk and Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes. Never attempt to feed the elk, as this can lead to habituation, aggressive behavior, and potential health issues.