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Paul Johansen is the new wildlife chief for the WV Division of Natural Resources new wildlife chief.
Johansen said one of the DNR's current goals is to reintroduce elk into southern West Virginia. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and DNR Director Fala have committed the agency to the project, and state lawmakers have passed legislation supporting the initiative.
"I think the elk reintroduction is going to be huge," Johansen said.
"I think it has the potential to be the next great success story in West Virginia. I think it will be right up there with the restoration of our wild turkey population, the reintroduction of river otters, and the expansion of our [public hunting and fishing lands].
"Reintroducing elk will be a great opportunity, not only for those who will hunt them, but also for the people who will get a chance to see those animals in the wild and to hear a bull elk bugle. Just the thought of that makes the hair on my arms stand up."
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