The native elk population in South Dakota was nearly eliminated by the late 1800s due to unregulated hunting and westward expansion. Reintroduction efforts began in the early 1900s, primarily using Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) transplanted from Wyoming and Montana. These efforts successfully re-established a wild population that now includes several thousand animals across the state. The population is managed to balance ecological health, public viewing, and regulated hunting opportunities for residents.
Geographical Distribution of South Dakota Elk Herds
The vast majority of elk herds are concentrated within the Black Hills region, a forested area in the western part of the state that provides the most stable and extensive habitat for the species. Custer State Park, located within the Black Hills, is home to a high-density herd managed as a distinct unit from the surrounding population.
Smaller, more dispersed groups are scattered across the prairie landscapes of western South Dakota. These prairie herds often inhabit specific refuges or utilize areas along major river drainages for cover and forage.
Current Population Status and Management Goals
The Black Hills region, excluding Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, contains the largest elk population, estimated at over 6,000 animals. The state’s primary management objective is a wintering count between 6,000 and 8,000 elk, depending on habitat conditions. This range maintains a healthy herd while mitigating conflicts with private landowners and agricultural interests.
Custer State Park is managed separately, targeting 500 to 600 wintering elk. This lower density reduces animal-to-animal contact due to concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the park’s herd. Population numbers are tracked using aerial sightability surveys, mandatory hunter check-ins, and monitoring of harvest age structure.
Prairie elk populations are smaller and less contiguous, estimated at around 250 animals outside the Black Hills. Management focuses on addressing depredation concerns on private land and adjusting hunting licenses to control localized growth. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks sets specific objectives for each herd unit, sometimes increasing license numbers to manage growing populations or address range conditions.
Habitat Needs and Seasonal Movements
Elk rely on a complex mosaic of habitat features for survival throughout the year. The Black Hills provides the ideal environment, characterized by a mix of coniferous forests (such as Ponderosa pine) and interspersed open meadows. Dense forested areas offer secure cover for resting, escape, and calving sites, while adjacent grasslands supply necessary forage.
Elk movements are often tied to seasonal changes and resource availability, though patterns vary geographically. In the southern Black Hills, some elk migrate to lower elevations in the fall to avoid deep snow and access winter forage. Other populations in the northern Black Hills may be more resident, utilizing a smaller portion of their summer range during winter.
The elk diet consists mainly of grasses and herbs during the spring and summer months. As winter approaches and forage becomes limited, their diet shifts to include woody plants, shrubs, and sometimes tree bark. The availability and quality of this year-round habitat is crucial, as degradation can lead to a reduction in elk numbers.
State Conservation and Management Efforts
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) employs a comprehensive strategy to manage the state’s elk herds, with regulated hunting being the primary tool. The department uses a weighted lottery system to distribute a limited number of hunting licenses, which controls the annual harvest and keeps populations within established objectives. This system is carefully calibrated to manage the population size and structure, including setting specific goals for the age of harvested bull elk.
SDGFP actively monitors and researches the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects elk. Management actions, such as reducing herd density in areas like Custer State Park, are directly influenced by CWD concerns to slow the rate of transmission. The state also uses contingency licenses (additional antlerless elk tags) to respond quickly to environmental factors like drought that may impact forage conditions.