Elk are present in Oklahoma, contributing to the state’s diverse wildlife. These large ungulates are a significant part of the ecosystem. Their presence is a result of dedicated conservation efforts following their historical disappearance from the state.
Elk’s Return to Oklahoma
Elk were once native to Oklahoma but were extirpated by the late 1800s due to unregulated hunting and habitat changes. By the time the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was established, no native elk remained in the area. Reintroduction efforts began in 1908 with a single bull elk donated to the Wichita Mountains National Forest and Game Preserve.
Further reintroductions occurred in 1911 and 1912, when additional elk were brought from the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. These animals formed the foundation of the elk herd in the Wichita Mountains. Later, between 1969 and 1972, 335 elk were transplanted from the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge to eastern Oklahoma, establishing herds in oak-hickory and oak-pine forest types.
Where Oklahoma’s Elk Roam
Today, the largest free-ranging elk herds in Oklahoma are found within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Beyond the refuge, elk also roam in several wildlife management areas across the state.
These include Pushmataha, Cookson Hills, Spavinaw, and Cherokee wildlife management areas, which support established elk populations. Smaller herds are also present on private lands in counties such as Kiowa, Comanche, and Caddo. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) estimates the total elk population in Oklahoma to be around 5,000 animals, with wild, free-ranging elk documented in nearly half of the state’s 77 counties. Unlike some other regions, elk in Oklahoma are largely non-migratory.
Encountering and Conserving Elk
For those interested in observing elk, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities through organized tours. The best times for viewing often coincide with the fall mating season when bulls are more active and vocal.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation actively manages the state’s elk populations. Since natural predators are largely absent, controlled hunts are implemented as a management tool to prevent overpopulation and habitat degradation. A cooperative agreement between the ODWC and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, established in 1966, facilitates annual controlled hunts at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The ODWC also offers controlled hunt applications for elk to manage populations statewide.