Arkansas is home to a thriving elk population, offering unique viewing opportunities and contributing to the state’s diverse wildlife. Their presence is a notable part of Arkansas’s conservation story.
The Return of Elk to Arkansas
Elk were once native to Arkansas, with the Eastern elk subspecies roaming the region’s forests until the 1840s. Unregulated hunting, habitat loss, and competition with domestic livestock led to their disappearance. The Eastern elk became extinct by the end of that century. An earlier reintroduction attempt occurred in 1933 when the U.S. Forest Service brought 11 Rocky Mountain elk from Oklahoma to Franklin County, but this population vanished by the mid-1950s.
A modern reintroduction effort began in 1981, led by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), with private citizens and the National Park Service. Between 1981 and 1985, 112 Rocky Mountain elk were released in Newton County, primarily near the Buffalo National River. Most of these (105) originated from Colorado, with 7 from Nebraska. The first elk calf born in Arkansas following this reintroduction occurred in 1982. This initiative represented the first modern elk restoration project in the southeastern United States.
Where Arkansas Elk Roam
Arkansas’s elk population is concentrated in the Ozark Mountains, primarily in the northwestern part of the state. These animals are found across portions of six counties: Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, and Searcy. The majority of the herd resides within or close to the Buffalo National River in Newton and Searcy counties.
The elk herd utilizes an estimated range of 315,000 acres. About 85,000 acres of this range are publicly owned, including lands managed by the National Park Service, a small section of National Forest land, and the AGFC’s Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. A 2023 aerial survey by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reported a minimum count of 419 elk. These elk prefer open grazing areas complemented by nearby wooded sections for resting. Their diet consists of various grasses, legumes, broad-leaved plants, shrubs, and acorns.
Observing and Managing Arkansas’s Elk
Opportunities for observing Arkansas’s elk are primarily around the Buffalo National River area. Boxley Valley, along Arkansas Highway 43 and Highway 21 near Ponca, is a prime viewing spot. Other areas where elk can often be seen include Erbie Campground, the vicinity of Carver Bridge on Highway 123 south of Hasty, the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area, and Richland Valley. The best times for viewing elk are during early morning and late evening hours, when they are most active. The fall season, particularly from late September through mid-November, is popular due to the elk’s rutting season, when bull elk are more visible and vocal.
Observing elk requires specific guidelines for public safety and animal well-being. Visitors should maintain a distance of at least 150 feet from the elk. Feeding elk is prohibited. When viewing from a vehicle, pull completely off the road to avoid obstructing traffic. Visitors should also respect private property by not crossing fences or opening gates without permission.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, with the National Park Service and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, manages the elk population. These efforts focus on maintaining a healthy breeding population, primarily on public lands, while addressing potential conflicts with private landowners. Regulated hunting seasons, established since 1998, control herd size. Permits for these hunts are allocated through an annual draw, with options for both public and private land. Habitat enhancement projects, such as creating wildlife openings, also help in distributing elk and minimizing nuisance issues on private land.