State DNR capturing elk to study habitat, raise profile of herds
Crews using a helicopter were expected to start capturing elk in northwestern Minnesota Monday as part of a two-year study to help understand how elk use the landscape.
Elk once roamed much of the state, but were rare by the early 1900s, chased out by hunters. Elk were reintroduced in northern Minnesota from 1914 to 1935, and today there are about 130 animals.
"We've had elk for thousands if not millions of years in Minnesota but we've not studied them," said Gino D'Angelo, who's leading this study for the Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR elk plan calls for expanding the elk herd and encouraging more tourists to travel in search of the animals. Elk are like deer, but larger and with darker coats. They're known for their big antlers and haunting calls. Kittson County is where the largest elk herd roams. They move across the border between Minnesota and Manitoba. There's a smaller herd near Grygla in Marshall County.
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"Manitoba will be capturing about the same time we are, so I expect we'll bounce the herd back and forth a little bit and get collars out on both sides and eventually those collars will probably cross the border throughout the seasons," D'Angelo said.
Minnesota and Manitoba will share data they collect from the elk.
In Minnesota about 20 elk cows will be captured by crews in a helicopter. The elk will be given a quick physical exam, blood and hair samples will be taken and they'll be fitted with an ear tag and tracking collar. The DNR will closely monitor their movements for two years.
"What we really want to learn is how are they doing in these habitats we've managed specifically for elk in northwestern Minnesota," D'Angelo said. "We want to see how they relate to those habitat treatments so we can improve our management of those habitats moving forward."
Improving the habitat will help support more elk, but D 'Angelo hopes better habitat will also reduce conflict between elk and farmers. Elk sometimes trample crops, break fences and eat hay stored for cattle. The state pays farmers for the damage.
"Now do I ever expect that elk will stay out of agriculture in northwestern Minnesota? No, but the less time they spend in agriculture, the more preferred habitat they can find on state lands or lands of our partners like The Nature Conservancy, the less conflict we'll see with agriculture," he said.