Moose & Elk

[scedar]

I have always wondered why they try to limit the size of the elk herd. Seems to me there is plenty of room in the UP for and elk herd?
Also what happened to the moose that one day we were going to be able to hunt? Just some questions that come to mind while sitting in the blind.

[Elk Guide]

scedar..........the elk herd is controled because of crop damage and they eat 5 times more than a deer.....they will walk right thru a fence if they can't jump over it.....i to would like to see a larger herd but the biologist have assured me michigan can't sustain one nor will the residents in the north put up with one.....also the type of habitate in the U P is not right for a elk herd to live on......as for the moose herd it is growing slowly but seeing we now have wolfs an cougars in the U P to feed on them it may never reach hunting capability.....also again the habaitate just isn't there to establish a viable herd to hunt......hope this helps

[Eastern Yooper]

Right now there are (3) elk roaming about the Dafter area of the UP. All are believed to be cows. Apparantly Canada did a transplant a few years ago and hence the theory is that they swam the river.

Many locals have seen them this past summer and fall. I think its kinda nifty but they will fade away unless a bull finds his way to them.....

I have always pondered re-introducing woodland caribou to the UP. They were once native here..... but not too sure about their compatibility with whitetail. I think that (brainworm) has been one of the main downfalls to the moose.

[goose hunter]

The elk are a problem for the land owner. I love to see them. But only on the land of another, not on my deer camp. They will eat all the new growth in a cutting. Then you are left with a meadow. The friends of mine that live in the UP say that the moose are much to good to eat to let the down staters/troll's have any.:rolleyes: ;)

[scedar]

With all the public land in the UP, and very little crops being rasied it seems the Elk herd would be a bonus. Bioligist have assured you that the habit is not right. I was to the understanding that they inhabited UP, before we did away with them. What are the names of these so called bioligist? May be they could fend for them selves with real proof.
Yes Moose are excellent, but to say they are being poached just for a UP'er plate is a little far fetched. Sounds like we need a horny bull around Dafter. Like a court we need sound fact, and not hear say.
Woodland Caribou would also be a bonus!

[stevebrandle]

You know, I've hunted and fished in Canada a lot and the habitat dosen't look that much different than the UP. Maybe there's a difference somewhere, but it appears the same. I think moose could be a viable spiecies someday if we give them a chance. Compared to Canada the UP is awful small area-wise.

Something else that's strange is the habitat in Saskatchewan where I hunted whitetails last year is marginal at best. Yet, they had a good population of deer and they're a bigger strain, too. (Dakota strain) The only thing different than the UP that I could see is less hunting pressure.

It's obvious that the best hunting is where the least people go. I pity hunters 50 years from now because those places will almost cease to exist. Game preserves and ranches are one thing, but true wild areas to hunt will someday be a thing of the past.

I'm sure a hunter said it ages before me, " I'm glad I had these years and it'll never be as good as this."