Texas is home to elk, a presence shaped by both historical native populations and more recent reintroduction efforts. While not as widespread as some other wildlife, elk maintain a notable presence across various regions of the state.
Historical Presence and Disappearance
Elk were once native to Texas, with historical records and archaeological evidence suggesting their presence across a significant portion of the state, not solely confined to the western mountains. The indigenous subspecies was the Merriam’s elk (Cervus canadensis merriami), which inhabited the arid lands of the southwestern United States, including Texas, and parts of Mexico. While some sources suggest their range was limited to the Guadalupe Mountains, other evidence indicates a broader historical distribution that included the plains, alongside bison and pronghorn.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Merriam’s elk population faced severe decline. Unregulated hunting, both for sport and commercial purposes, significantly reduced their numbers. Habitat degradation, due to the expansion of farms, ranches, and uncontrolled livestock grazing, further contributed to their disappearance. By the late 1800s, the remaining native elk in Texas were primarily found in the Guadalupe Mountains, but by 1900, they were extirpated, meaning locally extinct, from the state. The Merriam’s elk subspecies is now considered extinct throughout its entire range, with its extinction occurring around 1906.
The Return of Elk
Following the extirpation of native elk, efforts to reintroduce these animals to Texas began in the early 20th century. In 1928, a private landowner imported 44 Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) from the Black Hills of South Dakota and released them into McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains. This reintroduction proved successful, with the population multiplying rapidly and expanding its range within the mountains.
Private landowners and game ranches have also played a significant role in the return of elk to Texas. Many reintroduction efforts involved various subspecies, primarily Rocky Mountain elk from other states, differing from the original native Merriam’s elk. High-fence ranches across the state have established substantial elk populations, with some reintroductions occurring as early as the 1920s. This private management has been instrumental in boosting elk numbers, as these animals are classified as exotics in Texas, meaning they can be hunted year-round without bag limits on private land.
Current Populations and Distribution
Today, elk in Texas exist in two primary categories: free-ranging wild populations and those maintained on private, high-fenced ranches. Free-ranging herds are predominantly found in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. These include populations in the Guadalupe Mountains, Glass Mountains, Wylie Mountains, Davis Mountains, and Eagle Mountains. More recently, free-ranging elk have also been observed in the Texas Panhandle, particularly near Dallam County.
The free-ranging population in the Trans-Pecos region was estimated at 3,500 individuals in 2014, with current numbers believed to range from 1,500 to 2,000 elk. Within Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the elk population is smaller, estimated at 30 to 40 animals. These free-ranging herds are composed of Rocky Mountain elk, some of which may have migrated from New Mexico. Populations on private high-fence ranches across the state are considerably larger and managed for commercial hunting opportunities.