Georgia elk

[howl]

Elk were once native to Georgia. Other Eastern states have elk seasons. Elk hunting opportunities in western states are becoming less and less with western residents losing out because nonresidents can't stay home. Why can't GA DNR provide elk hunting opportunities in GA?

 

[lifeandliberty123]

Because the states conception of conversation is too small and is primarily occupied with transforming the whole state into a concrete and asphalt hellscape like atlanta.

 

[howl]

But could they?

 

[Whatchagot87]

Could they? Sure. There are huntable populations in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Missouri just had its first season. The herd in Tennessee is growing rapidly though I’m not sure if they have opened a season there yet. I would be pretty shocked if the Tennessee herd doesn’t stretch down into North GA in the next 10-20 years. That is without GA DNR introducing them. Elk do quite well in the Appalachian Mountains due to not really having predation as well as the abundant forage. The lack of elevation in the range allows for vegetation being readily available year round. Does GA DNR want to? I doubt it at the current time. Introduction or in this case re-introduction of a species can be very polarizing. I doubt they want the headache. If it naturally progresses that a huntable herd develops, I’m sure they will be quick to capitalize as I’m sure they would love the $$$.

 

[TrueGrit]

I can't imagine running into a elk with my truck. Liability could be a problem, Georgia claims it owns the wildlife in the state.

 

[rtross]

Nope
It’ll never happen

 

[jaxyaks]

One reason that would be difficult is GA is way down on the list of the amount of land in the state that is public.

Ranks 33rd out of 50 in fact with only 9.7% of it open to the public. And it would be less than that if it were not for a couple of national forests. Between lack of public land and population density, I think it would be difficult to sustain a huntable population of Elk.

There is a big difference between whitetails in the suburbs and Elk.

Public and Private Land Percentages by US States : Facts & Information : SummitPost

Public and Private Land Percentages by US States : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering

www.summitpost.org

 

[KSouth]

They won’t admit to the mnt lions in the forest much less the elk.

 

[howl]

I know there are fenced-in elk in GA. There are wild elk within 100 miles of the state; less actually.

 

[karlvv30]

Kentucky has a decent population. Doesn't seem so foreign for Georgia to have elk in the mountains.