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Elk: An Ogemaw County Year

laurastockwell74


Elk looking at the Aurora Borealis

To be clear, elk do not live in Ogemaw County but they are a short 1.5 hour drive north and a fascinating northern Michigan species. I’ve driven the roads of Northern Michigan countless times, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive elk in the Pigeon River Country. I’ve heard their haunting bugles echoing through the trees, and found their tracks, but time and again, they’ve remained hidden in the woods, just out of view. There’s something about their tracks in the mud or their calls that makes me feel closer to something ancient and wild, though the full sight of a herd always felt like a fleeting dream.


Elk once roamed the forests and grasslands of Michigan, but by the late 1800s, unregulated hunting and habitat loss had driven them to extinction in the state. The last wild elk was killed in 1875, and it wasn’t until the 1910s that the idea of bringing elk back to Michigan began to take hold. In 1918, a herd of elk was transplanted from Yellowstone National Park to Michigan, and over time, the population began to grow. Today, Michigan has an elk population of roughly 1,000, thanks to decades of careful conservation efforts.


In Michigan, elk are typically born in the spring, usually in May or June. The calves are born with a coat of tan spots to help camouflage them. By the fall, the elk engage in the dramatic mating season known as "rut," when the bulls—impressive with their large antlers—battle for the attention of the females. This is when their iconic bugling calls fill the air, drawing attention from both elk and curious onlookers alike. After a pregnancy of about 240 days, the cows give birth to a single calf, continuing the cycle of life in Michigan’s forests.


Today, Michigan's wild elk can be found primarily in the Pigeon River Country north of Gaylord, Michigan. For those seeking a more accessible way to view these magnificent animals, the Elk Viewing Enclosure in Gaylord offers a unique opportunity. The enclosure provides a very large area where elk can be observed at close range, especially during the fall rut. It allows visitors to see these majestic animals in their natural state, giving them a deeper connection to Michigan's wild heritage.


These elk are not just a beautiful sight—they are also important for the health of Michigan’s ecosystem. As herbivores, they help shape the forest landscape by browsing on trees and shrubs, fostering open spaces where other plant and animal species thrive. Their return is a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation and how human efforts can help restore a species to its native home. While I haven’t yet witnessed the full majesty of a wild herd in the woods, it’s reassuring to know that Michigan's elk are here, a symbol of the ongoing work of preservation.


For those who want to catch a glimpse of Michigan’s elk, you can visit the Elk Viewing Enclosure in Gaylord for a unique wildlife experience. There, you may find a peaceful moment to observe these incredible creatures and appreciate how far they’ve come since their remarkable restoration.

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