Clam Lake, WI Elk Herd Info

Clam Lake, Wisconsin Elk Herd: Elk in The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

The elk herd around Clam Lake, Wisconsin was estimated to be approximately 330 individuals as of July 2021. With the addition of new animals through natural reproduction within the herd and the translocation of elk from Kentucky in the spring of 2017 and 2019, the herd has grown to a level that can sustain an annual bull-only hunting season and now occupies much of the Clam Lake Elk Range. This population has grown slowly, but steadily since reintroduction in 1995.

An interactive touch screen kiosk has been retrofitted into an existing sign board located at the junction of state highways 77 and GG in Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The kiosk is designed to provide visitors to the area with expansive information about the resident elk herd and their habitat. The program provides information about the history of elk in Wisconsin and even has a video clip of the original elk reintroduction. Most importantly, the program contains other tools and information to help visitors experience elk including wildlife spotting guides, maps and directions to nearby viewing areas. Please note that the interactive kiosk may not be available during winter months.

History of Reintroduction of Elk to Northern Wisconsin

Once widespread here and across North America, elk were eliminated from Wisconsin in the 1880s due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. Over 130 years later, they once again live in the Central and Northern forest regions of our state. From a population of 25 elk reintroduced in 1995 near Clam Lake, and with the help of a second reintroduction efforts that started in 2015, the state’s total elk population is quickly approaching 400 animals. Thanks to the support of multiple partners and the backing of Wisconsin citizens, the bugle of rutting September bulls is back and here to stay!

Today, more and more visitors come to the Clam Lake area seeking a glimpse of an elk or for the opportunity of hearing the wild bugle of a bull in the fall.

Please take care and take heed of elk crossing signs posted on area roads marking some common locations of members of the Clam Lake elk herd. Please drive safely in elk crossing zones.

Clam Lake Elk Herd Update (January to December 2019):

Population Status: Winter trapping efforts and observations indicated that good survivorship occurred between 2018 calving to 2019 calving of elk adults and calves. Also, our last installment of Kentucky elk was captured, transported to the Flambeau River State Forest of the Clam Lake Elk Range to augment the herd. They arrived on April 3 and were released on August 12. Combining resident Wisconsin elk and those added from Kentucky, the total herd population of about 280 elk at its peak in 2019. Since then State and Tribal hunters have harvested 10 bulls and some elk have been lost to various causes.

Elk Recruitment and Mortality: An estimated 54 calves were projected to be born in 2019 to resident elk, plus up to 20 additional calves were expected to be added from translocated Kentucky elk, for a projected total of approximately 74 calves born. Thirty-eight known losses occurred throughout the year to both “native” and Kentucky translocated elk. They included a variety of causes including legal hunter harvest (10), illegal harvest (3), predation (9), vehicle collisions (3), and other causes (6). Seven additional losses occurred to animals held in quarantine as part of the Kentucky translocation.

Elk Hunt Results: Wisconsin’s second managed elk hunt resulted in a total harvest of 10 bulls from the 10-bull quota being harvested for 100% success rate. The harvest was split equally between Ojibwa tribal hunters and state hunters.

Spring Calf Searching: Because of priority workload associated with a massive bear survey effort across northern Wisconsin, normal spring calf searching was not conducted in 2019.

Elk Research on the Clam Lake Elk Herd: “Snapshot Wisconsin” volunteers continue to collect data cards and replacement of batteries on the Clam Lake and Flambeau River State Forest (FRSF) “Snapshot” camera grids. The DNR’s Office of Applied Science uses this information for elk population modelling for both Clam Lake and Black River elk herds. During the 2018/2019 winter, elk trapping efforts occurred to place radio collars on uncollared adult elk and to replace radio collars on others. The DNR elk trapping team captured 96 elk and deployed 21 GPS collars on cows, 1 GPS collar on an adult bull and returned cow 620 to the Flambeau River State Forest from southwestern Rusk County. At its peak in 2019, we had 112 radio collared elk, allowing us to monitor and provide location information in our continued education about Wisconsin elk productivity, habitat use, and survivorship. In addition, several collared wolves also contribute to this research and inform us on predator/prey relationships and impacts.

Habitat Management: Twenty-two acres (15 openings) of high-quality clover forage plantings were added to the landscape in 2019, and 200 acres including 59 total openings were mowed to maintain them as wildlife openings on the Flambeau River State Forest (FRSF) and Sawyer County Forest (SCF). Telemetry, observations and trail camera images have verified extensive elk use on these managed acres. During 2019 about 2,000 acres of timber harvests were accomplished on the FRSF and similar acreages on the Price, Rusk and Sawyer County Forests. Sizeable acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest were also harvested within the elk range in 2019. The combination of all these efforts continue to build availability of high-quality elk forage habitat on the Clam Lake Elk Range.

2019 Rut Conditions and Calving Prospects for 2020: September 2019 saw cool and wet conditions, resulting in ideal elk breeding conditions. However, the 2019/2020 winter is still unknown and will likely have the major influence on 2020 calf production. Initial deep snows occurring during late November have set the stage for potential low recruitment in 2020. Close attention will need to be given to how winter progresses to anticipate its impacts on the northern elk herd in 2020.

More Elk Came: On April 3rd 48 elk arrived from Kentucky. Adding calves born while in quarantine, a total of 60 elk were released on August 12. Currently some are grouped with Wisconsin-born “native” elk, and some 2019 Kentucky cows were tended by resident bulls. As experienced in Jackson County and here in 2017, it will take time for full integration, but these added elk will be important for future prosperity.

Partnership Efforts: Department staff worked with RMEF staff to offer the September “Bugle Days” event. Participants were able to see and hear some elk, and about 30 volunteers helped take down part of the elk quarantine pen. RMEF approved and contributed about $7,500 in grants for elk habitat work and about $20,000 of WDNR elk funds were approved for cost-shared habitat work. RMEF also provided funding to U.S.F.S, UW-Madison, and other partners that will benefit the Clam Lake herd. RMEF and other partners also made significant contributions in time and/or funding during the final year of elk translocation.

Welcome: On February 18, 2019, Sarah Looman started as the Elk Project assistant for the Northern Elk Herd. She brought with her 2 seasons experience as an elk caretaker, taking care of Kentucky elk being brought to Wisconsin, elk habitat establishment experience, and 2-years’ experience as a wildlife technician, both for Michigan and Wisconsin DNRs.

Farewell: On December 5th, Laine Stowell retired from the DNR and his position as the Clam Lake Elk Biologist. Under his nearly 20 leadership over 900 elk were winter trapped and over 400 radio collared deployed. In addition, he led crews that found and collared over 300 newborn calves, and investigated over 300 elk mortalities. His work immensely built our knowledge of Wisconsin elk, resulting in changes and improvements to elk management strategies. Laine’s dedication to Wisconsin’s northern elk herd has been instrumental, and we wish him all the very best for a long, healthy, and active retirement!

Public Viewing Opportunities:

Elk can be seen in many habitats throughout their range. Best viewing times are dawn and dusk. The most popular viewing period is September and October during the mating season when elk are often feeding in openings. Summer observations are possible, but heavy leaf cover makes viewing more difficult.

It is a good idea to use a National Forest map or county maps to find your way. Road conditions will vary with the season, so drivers should exercise caution before attempting to drive these routes.

Elk can sometimes be viewed along Highway 77 and CTH GG (south to Loretta) in the Clam Lake area (southwest and south of Clam Lake, respectively).

Wildlife viewing areas have been established through a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and RMEF to view many species of wildlife, including elk.

Elk viewing is not confined to the designated areas and routes. Many grassy meadows have been improved for deer, elk and other wildlife that use this type of habitat.

People can disturb elk by approaching too closely. Elk should always be appreciated and viewed from a distance. This will enhance other viewers’ chances to see elk. While searching for elk, always respect the animals and private landowners’ rights and privacy. Whenever you choose to look for elk, plan to set aside some time. Remember these are wild animals. They are on their own schedule, coming and going when and where their needs and desires take them.

History of Elk Project:

Elk (Cervus elaphus), Wisconsin’s largest native mammal, once ranged over most of North America and throughout Wisconsin. They were extirpated in the mid to late 1800’s with the onset of human settlement due to over hunting and a rapid decline in habitat. Elk were last recorded in Wisconsin in the 1886 and historic records show elk once inhabited at least 50 of the state’s 72 counties. An attempt at bringing elk back to the state in the 1930’s failed because of poaching and the last four elk were reportedly killed in 1948. Although elk primarily inhabited the prairie/savannah lands of the southern portion of the state, today, most of the currently suitable elk habitat is in the north. This change is due to the large scale conversion of land in the south from prairie to agriculture.

In 1989 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) was directed by the State Legislature to explore the likelihood of successfully reintroducing elk, moose, and caribou. The resulting publication “Feasibility Assessment for the Reintroduction of North American Elk, Moose, and Caribou into Wisconsin” (Parker 1990) determined that an elk reintroduction effort could succeed, while reintroductions of moose or caribou likely would not.

In 1993 the Wisconsin State Legislature authorized the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to evaluate the potential for reintroducing elk to the Great Divide District of the Chequamegon National Forest near Clam Lake. During February 1995, 25 elk were trapped in Michigan, held in a quarantine facility for 90 days while undergoing rigorous disease testing, and shipped to the Clam Lake release site. After being held in a pen for a 2-week acclimation period, the elk were released into the Chequamegon National Forest May 17, 1995.

As noted in Kathryn A. Kahler’s article “A Herd in the Balance”, “the first four years of research on the experimental herd were headed up by the late Dr. Ray Anderson, then a professor at UW-Stevens Point. Anderson and his students oversaw the careful research and methodologies that would form the routines followed by today’s DNR elk project team. Those first few years, with enthusiastic support from thousands of volunteers and benefactors, saw such success that Anderson, in a 1998 research report predicted that “at the current rate of growth, the herd could number approximately 500 in 11 years.”

That optimism has been tempered by a kind of “one step forward, two steps back” reality. Prior to calving, the herd in the spring of 2010 was 131 animals, a far cry from Anderson’s prediction. Even so, there is reason for optimism amid elk enthusiasts of all ilks, some of whom look forward to a year when the population reaches a target goal of 200 animals that might allow a limited bull hunting season.

“We are at least a couple of years away from that,” says Stowell. “Once we get closer we’ll need to establish a hunting education program for successful applicants. An elk that weighs several hundred pounds is much harder to kill than its smaller deer cousin, so we’ll need to educate hunters about elk biology and caution them against shooting at multiple targets if they think the first one didn’t go down.”
Until then Stowell and his crew will continue with the seasonal routines that make up their “elk year” – spring calf-searching, summer habitat improvement, fall bugling observation, winter trapping and year-round telemetry monitoring and mortality tracking.”

Clam Lake Elk Range:

Although they currently occupy approximately 90 square miles of the designated elk range, the herd has grown at an average rate of 13% annually. However, growth rates have varied from as high as 30% to as low as -16% since 1995. Primary causes of mortality include predation by wolves and black bears and vehicle collisions. Primary habitat used by the elk consists of aspen and pine forests interspersed with forest openings, lowland conifers and water bodies.

Based on the habitat suitability model derived from a study by Didier and Porter, the Wisconsin Elk Study Committee (WESCO) determined that the United States Forest Service (USFS) Great Divide District (GDD) of the Chequamegon National Forest (CNF) near Clam Lake was most suited for an elk reintroduction.

The Clam Lake elk range was recently expanded by 506 square miles so the CNF-GDD currently consists of 1,221 sq miles (781,440 acres) in portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk and Sawyer counties in north-central Wisconsin. State Highway 77 and county highways GG and M converge near the center of the GDD at the community of Clam Lake. The GDD is mostly under National Forest ownership (81% or 370,656 acres). The remaining 19% (86,944 acres) is privately owned, with relatively little in agricultural production.

Elk Education Kiosk:

An interactive touch screen kiosk was recently retrofitted into an existing sign board located at the junction of State Highways 77 and GG in Clam Lake, Wisconsin. The kiosk is designed to provide visitors to the area with expansive information about the resident elk herd and their habitat. The program provides information about the history of elk in Wisconsin and even has a video clip of the original elk reintroduction.

Most importantly, the program contains other tools and information to help visitors experience elk including wildlife spotting guides, maps and directions to nearby viewing areas. The kiosk was made possible in part by a state grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The kiosk was designed and installed by Imperial Multimedia a Wisconsin-based company that specializes in interpreting nature and the outdoors. This technology was first put to test in Wisconsin State Parks back in 2003 and subsequently has been rolled out across the nation in various venues including state parks, zoos and aquariums.

While Imperial Multimedia did most of the heavy lifting to make the project possible they received invaluable help from the DNR’s Elk Biologists Laine Stowell and Matt McKay along with local help from Bud Rubeck and other local volunteers who donated time and materials to reconstruct the site. This tool should help educate and guide National Forest Visitors to a safe and meaningful experience.

The Elk Information Kiosk can be found in front (or on the east side) of the Clam Lake Junction gas station in Clam Lake Community Park. The Community Park (kiosk) is handicap accessible.

Wisconsin Elk Herd Online:

• Wisconsin DNR Clam Lake Herd Updates
• Elk in Wisconsin FAQ’s
• Elk Identification Sheet
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation National Site
• Clam Lake, Wisconsin Elk Management Plan
• Clam Lake, Wisconsin Elk Education Kiosk in Downtown Clam Lake has additional elk information

For more information on Elk in Wisconsin, please contact:

Josh Spiegel
Northern Herd Biologist
tel:+1-715-634-7467

Wisconsin DNR Elk Website

Fall Elk Bugling

Elk bugling is a special feature of the fall rut usually starting in late August and running through late September in the Clam Lake, Wisconsin area. As the big bull elk prepare to attract female cows, they let out bellows, which range from deep tones to high-pitch squeals to grunts. On fall nights in the Chequamegon National Forest around Clam Lake, Wisconsin, the distinctive sounds of elk rutting can often be heard. Listen to the remarkable, unforgettable sounds of native, free ranging bull elk bugling in a Northern Wisconsin wilderness. If you’ve never heard the bugle of the bull elk during the fall rutting period, you are in for an experience that is at once thrilling and haunting. We invite you to join us in Clam Lake during the month of September and experience this unique event! You won’t soon forget the sounds of elk bulging as they echo through the forest and across the lakes of Northern Wisconsin!

Thank you to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for providing much of the information found here. For more info, please visit the WI DNR web site – https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/elk