Elk used to occupy nearly all of what is now the United States, but their populations drastically decreased and some subspecies became extinct in the late 1800s. Recently, Elk have been reintroduced to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, among other states. And Maryland was this close (can you see my fingers?) to getting our own population, but it ain’t gonna happen.
The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation is giving up on their effort to bring Elk back to western Maryland. Apparently, the idea is popular statewide, but there’s plenty of opposition in Allegany and Garrett counties — where stakeholders fear car accidents, damage to crops, and disease –which elk can spread to livestock.
C’mon, people, get a load of those antlers! It’ll be worth it!
Considering the close proximity of Pennsylvania and West Virginia to both those counties, and the ability of elk to wander through forests, oblivious to state boundaries, I suspect that there will soon be elk in Maryland – regardless of action by the Sportsmen’s Foundation or lack thereof.
It is marvelous to note how we figure that wildlife will comply with our wishes. But somehow I doubt that the Sportsmen’s Foundation is lobbying for the return of elk to our woodlands, just so we can photograph them. “Wow, check out that rack!” will be more likely a call to aim the .30-30 at the animal than to aim the zoom lens.