ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 17, 1997 TAG: 9702190021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
While the soul-stirring sound of a bugling elk is far from a reality in Virginia, state wildlife officials appear to be softening their opposition to the idea of reintroducing elk herds to the commonwealth.
``In years past, we have said no, no, no,'' said Bob Duncan, chief of the game division of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. ``What we have decided to do is say, `OK. We will be open-minded enough to do a study on its feasibility.'''
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, based in Missoula, Mont., is waiting in the wings, poised to be a financial partner in the effort.
``We don't make proposals,'' said Ron White, a field representative of the 100,000-member organization. ``We wait for people to make proposals to us, and we look at them and make certain they are good science and good biology. Then, we determine whether or not we want to finance them.''
Founded in 1984, the organization has helped generate nearly $50 million on behalf of elk habitat and conservation. Much of the money has been raised through banquets, such as the one scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at Holiday Inn-Tanglewood (ticket information is available from 772-1414).
Several Eastern states, including Kentucky, New York, Tennessee and North Carolina, are taking a serious look at reintroducing elk, which disappeared from the region in the 1700s and 1800s, White said. Pennsylvania has a fledging population of about 400 animals.
As for Virginia, ``Where it is right now, we have asked Dr.Jim Parkhurst of Virginia Tech to put together a study proposal that he would submit to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for funding,'' Duncan said.
Concerns over health problems - namely brain worms - don't loom as large as they once did, Duncan said.
``I was weaned on problems about brain worms, and they are proving not to be as much of a problem as first thought,'' he said. ``So, biological issues may not be the problem, but there certainly are sociological issues, as far as the cultural-carrying capacity.''
Elk are huge, free-ranging animals, and the question is: Does Virginia have the kind of habitat that will hold them, or will they cause crop damage and highway accidents?
``I went to Pennsylvania last September and called elk,'' Duncan said. ``They have a tremendous area and a magnificent eastern elk herd.''
When asked if Virginia has comparable habitat, Duncan said: ``That is the $64 question. I think it remains to be seen, and that is what the study would tell us one way or the other. There are a lot of people saying, `Yes, absolutely do it,' and there are a lot of people saying, `No, don't do it.'''
Kentucky is giving consideration to stocking as many as 100 elk a year in strip-mine area over a three- to four-year period, with the goal of establishing a huntable herd,'' White said.
``They are planning on stocking some elk close to the Virginia line,'' Duncan said. ``It is not out of the question we could end up with some of them coming over here.''
Introductions on a smaller scale are being considered by Tennessee for its portion of the Land Between the Lakes area. Plans call for equipping the animals with radio collars, so their movements can be monitored, White said.
The Great Smoky National Park and the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina also are being considered as stocking areas, White said.
``I think the states are starting to realize that there is an aspect of this that could be beneficial to them, not only in maybe establishing huntable herds - maybe not - but maybe just establishing herds so people can come to see this critter that once was here,'' White said.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION. Fund-raising banquets,by CNBincluding one scheduled Saturday at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood, are
enhancing and expanding the range of elk.