By Cory Boothe
Coryboothe@hotmail.com
At one time elk roamed the Appalachians. Unfortunately, it is true that there are no longer elk in the majestic hills and hollers of our wonderful state. Currently, it is not possible to hear the shrill bugle of a majestic bull elk while standing on one of our mountaintops.
However, if one stands on the West Virginia side of the Tug Fork River (our border with Kentucky), a sharp ear directed west could hear a bull looking for love. You see, Kentucky reintroduced elk to their reclaimed strip mines in 1997. Today, Kentucky's elk herd is around 10,000 healthy elk strong. Currently, the state of Kentucky is reaping around a million per year in hunting tags and applications.
West Virginia has chosen to take the extremely passive approach to elk. As Kentucky's elk herd flourished on strip mines, our Department of Natural Resources (DNR) questioned whether or not elk would do well in virtually the same exact habitat. As of now, the only elk in West Virginia are the ones that have migrated from Kentucky into our state.
Originally, our DNR questioned if elk would spread chronic wasting disease. While our state was finding reasons not to stock elk other states including Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and Virginia all stocked elk without any chronic wasting disease.
Fortunately for state sportsmen, the tide might be turning for elk in West Virginia. The West Virginia DNR is looking into the feasibility of an elk introduction into the southern coalfields. Counties such as Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming could be the recipient of elk in the next few years. Before this can happen the DNR will need to find a coal company willing to allow reintroduction and future hunting.
Another option is the Dolly Sods and Roaring Plains Wilderness areas of Grant and Tucker Counties. This land is already owned by the public and is large enough to support elk. One day a hiker atop Bear Rocks in Dolly Sods might hear a bull elk split the mist and fog with a thunderous bugle.
Anyone interested in an elk herd for our state is encouraged to contact local representatives and members of the DNR. With help, one day a sportsman of West Virginia will not have to cross our state boundaries in order to hunt elk. | 
