In the early 1800s, elk roamed the lands of Arkansas and many of the eastern states in large herds! They were pushed westward over the 1800s and into the 1900s but it is believed the Eastern Elk went extinct somewhere in the middle of that time.
Not many people realize that there have been huge efforts to bring the elk back to the east and starting with Northwest Arkansas. Along state highway 21 through the greater Buffalo River area these elusive but large mammals can be spotted in the fields and even crossing the road!
The first attempt to bring back these majestic creatures started in the 1940s but those herds eventually disappeared due to illness and poaching. Again, in the 1980s dozens of elk were introduced in to a number of Wildlife Managed Areas and today's herd is estimated to have reached an excess of 600!
Recently, Tigger counted himself to fortunate to have stumbled upon these two dozen cows and one bull relaxing in a roadside field just past a farmers barn. In ten years this is only the SECOND time Tigger has seen any of these, both times were along Arkansas highway 21 north of Kingston, Arkansas. These photos were taken within a mile or two!
Date taken: 2016 10
For more about Elk in Arkansas, visit these pages:
Elk Watching in Arkansas
Elk in Arkansas at Arkansas.com
History of Elk in Arkansas
Elk and the Fall Season in Boxley County