Record 44 Elk Harvested In 2012

A record 44 elk were harvested during the 2012 hunting seasons, said Wes Wright, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission biologist, during the March monthly meeting of the commissioners.

In 2012, 20 bull elk and 24 antlerless elk were harvested during hunting seasons in September and October in territory near the Buffalo River. The previous record was 38.

Since 1998, when elk hunting began in Arkansas, 376 have been harvested. The number is 195 bulls, 181 antlerless.

Harvested elk are weighed, ages are estimated and blood samples are taken for disease tests. Elk also are tested for chronic wasting disease.

Wright said a recent survey found at least 620 elk on public and private land, up from 453 counted during the previous survey.

Outdoor, Pages 7 on 04/04/2013

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