Elk are one of North America’s largest land mammals, second only to the moose in the deer family. They are defined by their large size, distinctive light-colored rump patch, and the impressive antlers grown by males (bulls). The current distribution of elk in the U.S. is a mosaic of concentrated herds in the West, small populations along the Pacific Coast, and reestablished groups in the East, illustrating a significant conservation success story.
The Historical Range and Decline
Before European settlement, an estimated 10 million elk roamed nearly all of the continental United States and parts of Canada, making them one of the most widely distributed members of the deer family. Their historical range extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts, demonstrating adaptability to diverse habitats, from eastern hardwood forests to western mountains and plains.
The vast population began a sharp decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven primarily by unregulated market hunting and the conversion of wild landscapes into agricultural land. By the early 1900s, the total number of elk in North America had plummeted to less than 100,000 individuals. This contraction pushed the surviving populations almost exclusively into the most remote areas of the Western U.S., largely extirpating them from the entire East and Midwest.
The Core Concentration: Rocky Mountain States
The largest and most stable elk populations in the U.S. are concentrated in the Mountain West, where the Rocky Mountain Elk thrives. Colorado holds the largest single state population in North America, with an estimated 290,000 to 303,000 elk found primarily near the Rocky Mountains in the western part of the state.
Wyoming and Montana are primary strongholds, hosting immense herds that utilize the high-elevation forests and alpine meadows. Idaho maintains a healthy population exceeding 120,000 elk, distributed across the central, northern, and southern parts of the state. Utah also supports a large population. These mountainous states provide the expansive wilderness, varied forage, and seasonal migration corridors. Extensive public lands, including national forests and parks like Yellowstone, serve as protected habitat underpinning the success of the Rocky Mountain Elk.
Specialized Subspecies and Confined Habitats
Two distinct subspecies with specialized and geographically confined habitats complete the Western distribution. The Roosevelt Elk is recognized as the largest subspecies by body mass. These elk are found exclusively in the wet, dense coastal rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, primarily west of the Cascade Mountains.
Their range extends from northern California, through Oregon, and into Washington, with the largest unmanaged herd residing in Olympic National Park. In contrast, the Tule Elk, the smallest North American subspecies, is endemic solely to California. Conservation efforts have established numerous herds across the state. Tule Elk are confined to specific areas, such as the grasslands of the Central Valley, the Owens Valley, and the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Successful Reintroduction Programs
Outside of the Western states, smaller, managed elk herds have been reestablished across the East and Midwest through reintroduction programs. Kentucky is a successful example, having reintroduced Rocky Mountain elk that flourished into a population estimated at over 10,000 animals. This is the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River, concentrated in the Cumberland Plateau region.
Pennsylvania maintains an established herd, originating from early 20th-century translocations, which expanded its range in the central part of the state. Other states have successfully initiated programs in recent decades, including Tennessee, which manages a viable population in the eastern part of the state after releasing 200 animals. Virginia, Missouri, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have also established smaller herds, primarily using elk sourced from the Western states and Kentucky.