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Or sign-in if you have an account behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village Friday said evacuations started for those living on Range Road 195 “Anyone with residences not yet affected by the evacuation is advised to prepare an evacuation kit and to be ready should the need arise to spread the evacuation zone,” said Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Fort Saskatchewan RCMP learned that a grass fire had started east of Elk Island National Park The fire was spreading and not considered under control Highway 16 was shut down between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194 in both directions “The public is asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes of travel,” said RCMP “The evacuation order has been lifted and Highway 16 is now open for travel Emergency crews will still be in the area fighting what is left of the fires and the public is asked to remain vigilant and to please avoid any actions that could contribute to lowering the effectiveness of their work,” said RCMP Fort Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed that the fire had spread to structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village “The situation is evolving rapidly and the extent of the damages can’t be confirmed at this time,” said RCMP supplying a number of photographs from the site showing extensive damage to multiple structures transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account A study by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources of chronic wasting disease in deer and elk has just been released Lisa Jackson is a public information officer for the department “With all the testing we did throughout the last year Jackson said no new positives is good news for the animals “A lot of small communities that don't have big tourist attractions or convention hotels they rely on the hunting seasons to bring people in who might camp or stay in a B and B or buy gas or groceries.” chronic wasting disease has been found in Kentucky twice with the most recent case in Breckinridge County last October Eighteen permits will be available for public draw through online applications this season Six of those permits will be either-sex tags and 12 will be antlerless-only tags All elk permits will be drawn at the Buffalo River Elk Festival in Jasper Winners will be notified via email and phone once the draw is concluded Three on-site permits will be drawn at the festival Only people who attend the festival in person will be eligible for the on-site permit drawing Only Arkansas residents may apply for an Arkansas public land elk hunting permit Applicants must have a valid Resident Sportsman’s Hunting License or must be a holder of a Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit Applicants must be 6 years or older as of the beginning of the hunt (Oct Anyone with 18 or more AGFC wildlife violation points is ineligible for the permit Hunters with access to private land in elk country will follow the same regulations as last year using a quota system instead of drawn permits Anyone may purchase a Private Land Elk Permit (labeled PLE in the AGFC licensing system) for $5 in addition to a valid Resident Sportsman’s Hunting License or Nonresident All Game Hunting License Hunters must call each evening to determine if the quota has been met before the next day’s hunt The season ends early if the quota is filled Arkansas’s 2025 elk hunting season will be as follows: hunters may take any elk they see outside of the Core Elk Management Zone (Boone Newton and Searcy counties) while legally deer hunting with archery muzzleloaders or modern guns of at least .24 caliber Visit www.agfc.com/elk for more information on elk and elk hunting in Arkansas Sign up now to receive the AGFC Wildlife Weekly Newsletter in your mailbox every Wednesday afternoon (Waterfowl Reports are published weekly during waterfowl season and periodically outside the season) Fill in the following fields and hit submit The information you submit will be stored and used to communicate with you about your interest in Commercial UAV News. To understand more about how we use and store information, please refer to our privacy policy  Commercial UAV Expo it allowed EGPD to easily scale and integrate new technologies EGPD built on that foundation by integrating Mark43 CAD with  Flock Aerodome Drone as a First Responder (DFR) system Mark43’s ability to adapt to EGPD growing needs and their strong relationship with the force set them up as the best vendor Nate Lange at EGPD identified as key measures of success public safety must be paramount over profits,” said Lt “When vendors prioritize profit over the mission you see it.”  A vendor that takes into consideration every need and every problem that a department is facing instead of just the sale is a key indicator that they have the best interest of the department’s success in mind This includes ensuring the software is easy to learn and use by anyone in the department As a DFR program that’s under a year old the police force at Elk Grove is learning how valuable drones are to the force From gaining critical situational awareness for a call to locating a suspect while protecting officers it’s become abundantly clear how important the drone’s role is in the department’s day-to-day operations “We decided it was too dangerous not to have a drone program,” Lt and are committed to constantly re-evaluating and improving it we weren't focused on what the drone platform can do — we were focused on what we needed it to do and what we wanted it to do As the primary role of EGPD is to serve and protect the community there was not originally a strong foundation of technical knowledge on drones or the programs that run them within the department Rather than attempting to become technological experts in the process of starting their drone program Laying this foundational groundwork before launching a drone program provides a clear path of what types of hardware and training a department will require to successfully operate DFR in their communities Drones elevate efficiency and safety with faster response timesSince integrating Mark43 CAD with its Flock Aerodome Drone as First Responder (DFR) program EGPD has seen a major decrease in call response times Every second counts when it comes to responding to a 911 call having the response times cut down to just a minute and half or less can change the trajectory of the incident possibly saving lives or preventing disaster we've been documenting response time based on a CAD data and a 911 call,” Lt with drones and listening to the 911 call in progress we're getting to scenes before the CAD call is even created We're calling that a negative response time We used to average about seven minutes for officers to get to a call we're averaging response times at a minute and a half." the drone provides critical details about the call before officers arrive on-scene the drone can tell officers the exact location of a suspect or accident This context is invaluable to officers and is something that they never had before EGPD’s ability to align real-time drone data with CAD activity was made easier by Mark43 and Flock Safety’s open architecture and focus on interoperability — helping improve coordination between systems and giving officers clearer context faster This information allows officers to make better informed decisions on how they are going to respond to a call The drone could reveal that the situation is not dire and only requires one officer to respond letting the rest of the force remain available for other needs or it may reveal that officers need back up and they can send the appropriate number of resources the kind of information that the drone provides is critical and would be otherwise nearly impossible to capture “We had an ATV pursuit where the drone located the suspect hiding inside a construction pipe,” Lt Lange explained “Instead of officers methodically clearing dozens of pipes with flashlights—putting themselves at risk—we had precision information: 'pipe seven north end.' There's just such a significant difference between someone trying to describe a scene to you versus showing you the live video situational awareness is immediate and complete." the drone has proven itself to be especially helpful to the force the nightshift force is smaller than the daytime force having the drone on hand has become an important asset  These capabilities are providing the team with a tactical advantage that is impossible to quantify “Flying at night was a non-negotiable for us,” Lt Lange said “We were trying to augment and offset those times when officers have the least number of additional resources we don't have a lot of additional units working evenings or weekends Having a platform that truly augments patrol services and provides air operations and situational awareness at night was critical.” Education and transparency are key to positive public perceptionDespite all the good drones are doing for EDPG and other police departments gaining trust and educating the communities remains a hurdle to adopting and integration When community members aren’t aware of public safety drone operations it can be alarming or confusing to see a drone flying around their town It’s easy for misconceptions and fear to arise as a result EGPD recognized this issue before they launched their program and made it a priority to educate their community before taking to the skies “We don’t wait for the questions — we proactively go out and say exactly what we’re doing and what safeguards we have in place,” Lt we have a forward-facing portal where you can see 100% of our drone flights City council can shut down our technology use at any time if it's used unethically — and they see everything we do.” arguably one of the most important ideas to drive home is that drones are not replacing officers or existing air operations like helicopters Drones are meant to solve the same problem by using different tools They’re meant to serve as an augmentation to the current technology and be a force multiplier EGPD recognized the value of transparency to its public and has taken a few different courses of action to give the public all the information they need This department holds and event called “Barbecue in the Beat” where the force brings all the drones to a park where community members can see drones and ask questions Attendees can touch all the tech and ask officers clarifying questions highlighting a sense of transparency that can be the difference between a positive or negative assumption about what exactly departments are doing with emerging technologies Beyond gathering the community in person, EGPD offers even greater transparency into their drone program by having a virtual library of each flight they make that the public can access on their department website Every single drone flight is video recorded and saved for a year and any community member can ask about a flight and see the related case number and flight path This kind of access to information by the public is paramount to successful acceptance of drone use by police departments It provides the community with a sense of security knowing that the drones are strictly used for public safety efforts Success with such endeavors is more about a comprehensive mindset than any single tactic.  “Transparency isn’t just one method,” Lt “It’s a combination of outreach and being intentional about showing the community what we’re doing." Erin Sewall is the Content Specialst for Commercial UAV News and Expo Prior to joining Diversified Communications Erin contributed to news sources for a major outdoor retail company Erin graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Subscribe to our weekly global newsletter for news insight and market information about commercial drones Subscribe Free reports focused on the commercial drone industry         View Reports Commercial UAV Expo Geo Week Commercial UAV Forum the state recently began accepting applications for elk and bear hunting licenses Michigan's Department of Natural Resources released its 2025-26 hunting schedule Turkey season began April 19, and the fishing season for trout and other game opened on April 26 "Make plans with your fishing buddies or bring someone new this year to share in the fun!" the DNR said in a April 23 release "Anglers should note that in Upper Peninsula waters the walleye and northern pike possession seasons open Thursday Michigan began accepting applications from elk and bear hunters to participate in the weighted lottery system officials use to select hunters Licenses are generally limited and vary year to year there are animals in Michigan that can be hunted year-round with a valid license Here's more on the DNR's 2025-26 hunting season calendar: The spring season began on April 19 and ends June 7 The 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations Summary is available to review online Hunters can take one bearded turkey during the spring hunt The fall turkey hunting dates are coming soon, according to the DNR the DNR uses a drawing system similar to spring turkey hunting season More: Bear, elk hunting license window set to open May 1 in Michigan. What hunters should know Elk licenses are limited and only available through drawing, the DNR said The elk application period began on May 1 and ends on June 1 When can I hunt bears in Michigan?The application period for bear hunters opened on May 1 The three periods of the 2025 bear hunting season apply to Amasa Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare season begins on Sept Here are the statewide dates for these types of waterfowls: Youth waterfowl and veterans and active-duty U.S Other species of waterfowl such as coot dark goose or light goose have varying dates depending on the hunting zone When is deer season in Michigan?Deer hunting seasons generally begin in September and end in early January Here are the specific 2025 hunting seasons for deer: Fox and grey squirrel hunting season is Sept When can I hunt woodcock in Michigan?Woodcock hunting season is Sept there are three "zones," determining the season times but generally the season opens in October and ends in early January The two ruffed grouse hunting seasons are Sept For residents who hunt small game, the DNR provides a small game hunting regulations summary for open areas to review before seasons begins Russian boar and the red squirrel can be hunted and trapped starling and woodchuck can be hunted year-round with a valid base license More: Michigan turkey season is around the corner. What to know in 2025 ShareSaveCommentLifestyleDiningHorn Barbecue Opens In Elk Grove With Full Bar And New Menu AdditionsByKeyla Vasconcellos Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Keyla is a California-based writer who covers dining and travel.Follow AuthorApr 30 06:03pm EDTShareSaveCommentInterior of Horn Barbecue Elk Grove Horn Barbecue Elk Grove is officially open bringing Matt Horn’s nationally acclaimed barbecue to the Central Valley with more smoke The James Beard-nominated pitmaster—known for redefining West Coast barbecue—opened the new location on Saturday taking over the former Slow & Low space on Railroad Street with an expanded menu and a 100-seat patio made for live music and long afternoons The Elk Grove restaurant marks the first expansion of Horn’s flagship and signals a new phase of growth for his AH2 Hospitality Group “Elk Grove presents an ideal opportunity to grow our brand and contribute to the community,” Horn says “This is part of our long-term vision—to expand into key markets where we can deliver an authentic and elevated barbecue experience and open up new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.” On the menu: all the hits and cornbread that channel generations of Southern cooking whole chicken and scratch-made milkshakes—boozy or not—add playful “Elk Grove gives us the space to innovate without sacrificing the tradition that defines our barbecue,” Horn explains and introducing menu elements that expand what barbecue can be—while keeping the soul of it intact.” a serious bar program and live music on the patio this is more than a line-up-and-wait kind of spot Horn plans to make use of that expanded format with collaborative events and guest pitmaster appearances “We’ve created a place that reflects the local community,” says Horn and it brings people together the way barbecue always has.” This new location in Elk Grove carries that legacy forward—while offering Horn a chance to keep evolving his style of California-born Seventh season of hit ‘slow TV’ show followed annual trek of moose (or elk) heading to summer pastures For thousands of years, moose have crossed rivers, navigated thawing forests and quietly followed ancient trails toward their summer pastures in northern Sweden A 24-hour live stream gave millions of viewers front-row seats to watch every unhurried step of the journey the seventh season of Den stora älgvandringen (The Great Moose Migration also translated as The Great Elk Trek) ended after nearly three weeks of uninterrupted footage streamed via SVT Play the platform of Sweden’s national broadcaster the series has grown from a niche public broadcasting experiment into a cultural phenomenon attracting close to 9 million viewers in 2024 He confirmed the team has captured 478 hours of footage seven night-vision ones and a drone streaming uninterrupted footage since its launch on 15 April The last showing of the season concluded at 10pm local time on Sunday with cameras capturing 70 moose (also known as European elk) making the spring crossing through Sweden’s Ångerman River – about 180 miles north of Stockholm Production crew in Junsele Sweden prepare for the livestream of The Great Moose Migration Photograph: SVT/APThe Great Moose Migration is part of a growing fascination with “slow TV” – a genre that took off in 2009 when Norway’s NRK aired a real-time The concept has since found cult status across Europe with broadcasts featuring 12-hour knitting marathons and even a crackling fireplace stream that topped Netflix’s UK charts on Boxing Day SVT has even been sending out push notifications when the first moose appears while a dedicated Facebook group with more than 76,000 members now shares sightings screenshots and speculation about the next appearance Though official viewing figures for this year’s season have yet to be released SVT has already confirmed the moose will return next spring for an eighth edition BLACK RIVER FALLS − Wisconsin residents lost one successful specimen of wild animal conservation efforts in central and northern Wisconsin as a bull elk was found shot dead in Jackson County The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for the illegal killing of the elk found the morning of March 18 on private property north of Black River Falls “The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin,” Christina Kizewski The elk was found by DNR staff conducting a relocation effort for a small group of elk tracked by radio-collars A necropsy determined the elk died due to injuries sustained from a gunshot wound “The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting community and to recreationalists attempting to photograph or see elk within Jackson County,” Kizewski said "Bull 244 was one of the largest and most photographed bulls in the state and has contributed to the successful growth of the newly established herd through his breeding efforts." Bull #244 was one of the last elk remaining from a herd brought from Kentucky in 2016 to help reintroduce the species to the area which had its elk population depleted in the 1880s due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss Reintroduction efforts began in 1995 when 25 elk were brought to a part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake in Ashland County their number had increased to 40 and the program was considered a success Another agreement with Kentucky brought 73 more elk to Jackson County in 2015-16 and 91 more elk to Sawyer County between 2017-19 The Clam Lake herd has grown to about 355 and the Jackson County herd has grown to about 160 Six elk hunts have been held in the larger elk herd between 2018 and 2023 and 47 elk have been harvested by both state licensed hunters and tribal members, according to the DNR's current Elk Management Plan over 21,000 hunters applied for four state licenses to harvest the animals that year Over 500 elk have died in the state between 1995 and 2023 with the majority of deaths in the northern herd attributed to wolf predation while the majority in the southern herd were killed by vehicle collisions 17 elk deaths were attributed to “illegal harvest” between the same time period The DNR is asking for any tips from the public regarding the killing of the animal. Tips may be submitted through a confidential Violation Hotline on the DNR website or by calling 800-847-9367 Be Wisconsin: Keep ticks and mosquitos, and their diseases, away with these 5 simple strategies More local news: How ‘Q’ and Google Forms helped save Stevens Point Trivia contest after ‘tech snafu’ Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com State wildlife regulators are investigating the illegal killing of a bull elk in Jackson County that was one of the largest and most-photographed bulls in Wisconsin the agency held its first hunt for the state’s central elk herd since their reintroduction The state allowed a harvest of four bull elk More than 7,700 people out of over 21,000 applicants sought a license to hunt animals there during the 2024 elk season The DNR is recommending a harvest of four bull elk and five anterless elk for the central Wisconsin herd when the season begins on Oct Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board The Department of Natural Resources is seeking information from the public as it investigates the illegal shooting of a bull elk in Jackson County was reported to and found dead March 18 by DNR staff on private property north of Black River Falls The site is off East Snow Creek road where the DNR was conducting elk capture efforts to radio-collar and relocate a small group of elk Following a necropsy it was determined the bull died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound The bull was wearing a GPS radio collar which has provided investigators information related to the illegal shooting However DNR law enforcement is seeking additional tips to help solve the case The bull carried a massive 8 by 7 rack and was a primary breeder in the state's central elk herd It was among the animals transferred to Wisconsin from Kentucky in 2016 Elk were native to Wisconsin but wiped out by the 1880s due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss A reintroduction project began in 1995 when 25 elk were transported from Michigan to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake Additional elk were brought from Kentucky to Wisconsin beginning in 2015 to create a second herd in Jackson County as well as bolster the size and genetic diversity of the northern herd Several illegal shootings in recent years have been documented on elk in the central herd. The cases of three illegal shootings of adult cow elk in Jackson County - two in November 2022 and one in November 2023 - remain unsolved All the animals were wearing blaze orange collars and were shot during the state's nine-day gun deer hunting seasons In another case, a Portage man who illegally shot a bull elk in Columbia County was found guilty fined $10,543 and lost his hunting and trapping privileges for five years The animal was from the central herd and drifted into Columbia County during the 2021 breeding season Bull #244 was one of the largest and most photographed bulls in the state and had contributed to the successful growth of the newly-established herd through his breeding efforts "The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin," Kizewski said "The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting community and to recreationalists attempting to photograph or see elk within Jackson County." Illegally shooting an elk is subject to fines and loss of hunting privileges The public can provide information by calling or texting the DNR's confidential violation hotline at (800) 847-9367 or through the confidential online form Hunters hoping to bag a black bear or elk in Michigan this year need to start stalking their prey this week The 2025 bear and elk hunting license application period opens May 1 and runs through June 1 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said The DNR said even if you don't wish to hunt this year, you should still apply to increase your odds for 2026. The bear license application period is from May 1 to June 1 Bear licenses are limited and only available through a drawing You do not need a base license to apply for the drawing you must purchase a base license and bear license to hunt When will the results of the bear license drawing be announced?The results of the drawing will be announced online June 23 The elk hunting license application period is May 1 to June 1 Elk licenses are limited and only available through drawing but if chosen you must purchase a base license and elk receipt to hunt When will elk hunting license drawing results be announced?Drawing results will be announced online June 23 Hunters who want another chance at a bear or elk license can increase their odds by applying for the Pure Michigan Hunt Hunters may buy as many applications as they want 2025 elk hunting season datesHunt period 1 Aug. 26–29, Sept. 12–15 and Sept. 26–29Hunt period 2 Dec. 13–21More: When can I hunt in Michigan? Here's a timeline of hunting seasons in Michigan elk applicants had up to 22 chances to be selected: one chance for their current-year application plus up to 21 chances earned in previous elk drawings (2003-23) In 2024, there were 54,466 applications with 367,210 chances The state issued 260 licenses for the season In 2024, there are 67,988 applicants with a license quote of 6,586 The DNR suggests hunters take a few moments to watch videos explaining the bear and elk license drawing process: Contact: Josh Spiegel, DNR Northern Elk Zone BiologistJoshua.Spiegel@wisconsin.gov or 715-558-0648 – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the application period for the 2025 elk hunt opens March 1 and continues through May 31 there will be increased opportunity within the Black River Elk Range as both antlered and antlerless harvest authorizations will be available through the state licensing process Applicants are required to select a zone when applying (the Black River Elk Range or Clam Lake Elk Range) This year’s elk quota for the Black River Elk Range will be four antlered elk and five antlerless elk The Clam Lake Elk Range quota will be eight antlered elk For individuals who select Black River Elk Range during the application process the first four randomly drawn applicants will receive an antlered harvest authorization The next five applicants drawn will have the option to accept an antlerless authorization If the applicant declines an antlerless authorization another applicant will be drawn as a replacement until the five antlerless harvest authorizations are accepted Any applicant who declines an antlerless authorization may still apply in the future only Wisconsin residents can be issued an elk license and only one authorization can be issued (regardless of sex) per person in their lifetime Wisconsin residents can purchase an elk license application online through the Go Wild license portal or in person at a license sales agent The application fee is $10 and is limited to one per person The DNR recommends that all applicants check and update their contact information to ensure contact with successful applicants which benefits elk and many other wildlife all winners must participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course The 2024 inaugural elk hunt in the Black River Elk Range was a success with hunters harvesting four of the four-bull quota early in the season Bull-only quotas and hunting have been provided every fall since 2018 in the Clam Lake Elk Range For more information on the elk hunt, visit the DNR’s elk hunting webpage © Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Site requirements | Accessibility | Legal | Privacy | Employee resources and federal government websites often end in .gov Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address Before sharing sensitive or personal information make sure you're on an official state website but colonization and exploitation by European settlers eventually led to the species demise Prior to the arrival of European immigrants elk were found from northern New York to central Georgia Pennsylvanias largest elk concentrations are believed to have been in the Allegheny Mountains or wapitis as they were called by native Americans were doggedly pursued wherever they could be found in colonial Penns Woods Elk were exterminated in southeastern Pennsylvania and rare west of the Allegheny River and in the Blue Ridge and Cumberland mountains by the opening of the nineteenth century they were gone in the southwestern Pennsylvania and from the Pocono Plateau what remained of Pennsylvania's once mighty elk population was limited to sections of northcentral Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's last few native elk were still roaming in Elk and Cameron counties The last two reports of elk being hunted include one supposedly taken not far from St Marys by a Native American named Jim Jacobs Historical accounts suggest the elk was pursued for several days before it made its last stand in Flag Swamp A second was said to have been taken by a hunter named John D it appears the species was certainly extirpated from the state by the late 1870s The creation of the Game Commission in 1895 paved the way for an ambitious effort to replenish and provide additional protection to many of the states dangerously low wildlife populations turkeys and quail topped the list of game animals the agency bought and released the Game Commissioners and agency Executive Secretary Joseph Kalbfus began talking about re-introducing elk in Pennsylvania The idea stemmed from a federal government effort to reduce the mushrooming elk herds at Yellowstone National Park and the Jackson Hole Refuge Area preserves that were protecting the remnants of America's once-mighty elk population Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Biological Survey and Department of Forestry unwilling to sanction a hunt for the overabundant animals opted to translocate some and winter feed the rest "It now appears that the herds of elk found upon the public domain of the far West are annually subjected to severe suffering and death by starvation because of the limitation and taking for agricultural purposes of their winter feeding grounds the national government is anxious to reduce the western herds by placing numbers of these animals elsewhere to their benefit the cost to those receiving such animals being only the expense incurred in their capture and transportation..." "I believe it would be well to locate the elk that may be received upon those of our preserves located upon the largest tracts of our state forest lands as far as possible from cultivated lands and as near the center of the state as may be in this way giving the animals as great range as possible and at the same time reduce to the minimum the danger of injury to growing crops by these animals and the possibility of their wandering out of our jurisdiction." Pennsylvania's first shipment of Yellowstone elk arrived by train Half of the Wyoming wapiti shipment went to Clinton County An additional 22 elk were bought from a Monroe County preserve that year Twelve were released on state lands in Monroe County and the remainder on a Centre County preserve  To ensure the preservation of elk being released the General Assembly in 1913 enacted a law protecting them until November 15 Bulls with at least four points to one antler were identified in the law as legal game for the distant season its amazing the Yellowstone elk survived to serve as the nucleus of Pennsylvanias resurrected elk herd Hauled across America by trains to locations principally selected through political deliberations the elk were chased off the boxcars into the wild without any acclimation period The terrain they bounded into was vastly different the "hard release" approach used at that time by the Game Commission fell considerably short of providing the desired results the elk began to wander in search of food and cover to distance themselves from the trains that delivered them to seek out areas where human activity was limited some had traveled as far as 40 miles away from the release sites barely two years after the first elk were released the Game Commission bought 95 more from Yellowstone They were released in six counties: Cameron Many people considered the elk reintroduction program a step in the right direction were very destructive in agricultural areas "When the farmers complained," former Game Commissioner John M "we went into Centre County and found where a band of elk had been raiding a cornfield at night and had destroyed every ear in the field by biting about two inches off the end The state's elk population slowly increased in most areas they were released in despite illegal harvests by poachers and farmers who refused to ignore the elk ravaging their fields Farmers cursed as they surveyed their latest losses the Game Commission was looking at the possibility of killing troublesome elk in Blair and Monroe counties took matters into their own hands before the Game Commission chose a course of action Citing farmers for killing elk causing crop damage was something Game Commission officials wanted to avoid They believed the farmers were entitled to compensation for their losses and petitioned legislators to address the issue "Our effort to secure an appropriation through which to pay for [crop] damages done by .. protected wild creatures resulted in failure many of the members of the Legislature refusing to support this position because of the disposition of many farmers and fruit growers to present exaggerated claims and the almost utter impossibility upon the part of the Game Commission to refute the claim as made," wrote Kalbfus in 1917 "The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations told me personally that he could not support this bill for the above reasons If this is done a precedent will have been established that will cost the state untold money." There was no reason to suspect they wouldn't especially after they moved into the rich farming areas bordering big woods Hunters and nature lovers marveled at the large timid beasts People were flocking to wherever elk could be found to take pictures and feed them Tempers cooled in agricultural areas when the first bull elk season was held in 1923 two years later than it originally was scheduled for hunters could not conduct organized drives for elk which was the most common way hunters pursued big game such as deer and bear was the only legal way bull elk could be hunted Persons who failed to comply were subject to a $100 fine Only bulls with four or more points to at least one antler were legal game During the first season hunters took 23 legal bulls hunters harvested 26 bulls marking the state's best harvest since the reintroduction  The high-water mark for elk harvest was 1927 Never again would an annual harvest come close to two dozen elk The following year one bull was taken in what would become Pennsylvania's last elk hunting season The hunting seasons no doubt made a dent in the states scattered elk herd poaching and those relocated or shot because of nuisance complaints all played a role in the ensuing decline that occurred Records indicate that by 1930 elk were once again restricted to that area of Cameron and Elk counties where the state's last native elk had made their final stand the Game Commission deliberated whether to kill two troublesome elk in Carbon County suggested the Cameron and Elk counties herd numbered in excess of 200 animals The elk in all the other release areas were gone "Today's elk population probably numbers less than 50," a proclamation that surely turned some heads the agency considered restocking elk after several were shot in mistake for deer the Game Commission did very little with the state's remnant elk herd which reportedly numbered between 24 and 70 head during that period They maintained a stronghold in the Dents Run and Hicks Run areas of Elk County Many residents in Elk and Cameron counties They were something special to observe in the forest; a sight that widened eyes and quickened blood elk began making trips into farming areas northwest of their stomping grounds in Dents and Hicks runs It appeared to be in response to either an increase in herd size or change in habitat The Game Commission seemed inclined to believe it was a habitat deficiency because its biologists speculated the herd was suffering from suppressed reproduction agency biologist Harvey Roberts suggested: "Due to the fact that we have never studied our elk herd little or nothing is known concerning limiting factors I can only hazard the guess that the habitat is sub-marginal and This theory probably is not too far-fetched in view of the fact that the forebears of our present herd came from the Yellowstone area Had some of our original eastern elk survived as breeding stock the current status might be entirely different several calves are produced which is far below the reproductive potential of this size herd in a natural environment This annual increase is usually offset by the illegal removal of an equal number of adults "Unfortunately we know nothing concerning age or sex structure The effects of disease and parasites are totally unknown we're pretty much in the dark concerning these animals there is little likelihood that we'll have the manpower or the money to inaugurate a study." farmers began to actively pursue relief from the invading elk Some sought compensation for losses or implementation of artificial feeding programs Along with the outcry for assistance came a proposal by the Cameron County Soil and Water Conservation District and the North Central Pennsylvania Economic Development Corporation to establish a 10,000-acre elk management area in Elk and Cameron counties The thrust of the proposal was tourism and economics It called for everything from habitat improvements and winter feeding and annual censuses and observation posts and The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmens Clubs joined the discussion "We think it's time the Top Brass of the Game Commission takes an interest in solving this problem," wrote John Wegemer Elk County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs in a 1970 letter to Game Commission Executive Director Glenn Bowers "Either pay for the crop damage or fence in the elk or perhaps fence in the farmers cornfields One other solution has been mentioned that may be worth a try There are a few abandoned farms in the area which could be planted just for these animals perhaps they would leave the farmers alone the agencys northcentral division supervisor "Public opinion would be greatly against shooting the elk but if this herd gets much larger perhaps a limited number of permits to kill bulls could be issued "It is my personal belief that the elk herd is as large or perhaps larger than it need be and they are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves I am sure you are aware that regardless of the available food Even people who are familiar with their haunts find it difficult sometimes to even sight some of these animals Since it can never be possible to have an open season on elk it seems foolish to me to try to provide habitat that would tend to increase the population." came to a head at an October 1970 meeting in Emporium farmers and hunters quickly became a sounding board for disgruntled farmers and ambitious planners Maurice Goddard pointed out at the meeting that five deer could live off the food needed for one elk and wondered if the sportsmen would approve such a sacrifice Other officials suggested doing something to sustain or promote growth of the elk population Bowers wasted little time at the meeting explaining the Game Commission's position on the discussed topics In regards to the elk tourism attraction/management area he noted that sportsmen's dollars shouldn't be committed to a "Chamber of Commerce-type program." His remarks about crop damage were more pointed "It's time we generated a realistic feeling toward these elk," he said A person who suffers elk damage has every right farmers thought it was illegal to shoot elk for crop damage Farmers shot several bull elk in a matter of days after the meeting and residents became indignant Talk of the herd being exterminated by farmers spread like wildfire It appeared some sort of management initiative was going to be needed to satisfy growing public concern for elk The Game Commission pledged to do habitat improvement work beneficial to elk It also became more actively involved in an elk study being headed by Dr the professor of wildlife management at Pennsylvania State University implemented in 1970 with help from the Game Commission Department of Forests and Waters and North Central Pennsylvania Economic Development District Lack of funding would eventually lead to the study's demise in 1974 but the research provided the first in-depth look at the elk herd and became the cornerstone for Pennsylvania's elk data base conducted in 1971 under the Penn State study estimates of the herd's size ranged from 25 to 500 Census figures show the herd started to decline in 1973 marking a 50 percent drop in size over a two-year period It increased by an annual average of 20 percent until it hit 135 in 1981 The brain worm problem afflicting elk during the mid '70s was diagnosed by Penn State researchers through necropsies on carcasses Elk beset by the stringy worm became incapacitated and very approachable typically acquired by elk when they ingest snails and slugs while feeding on grass damages the central nervous system and brain The parasite is commonly found in whitetails Brain worm apparently has not been a severe problem for the elk herd since 1973-74 no more than five elk are known to have died from brain worm in any year the leading causes of death in the herd were elk taken illegally and those shot for crop damage the Game Commission expanded its meager elk management efforts it developed an elk policy directing the agency in cooperation with the then Department of Environmental Resources' Bureau of Forestry to improve the elk range on state lands in Elk and Cameron counties manipulation and expansion wherever possible are important to elk management," stated the policy "Therefore habitat manipulation such as timber harvests and selective land clearings to create food strips should receive added emphasis..." The cooperative arrangement with DER did not mark the beginning of land management for elk by either agency Both began experimenting with habitat improvements in the early '70s a more significant amount of habitat improvement occurred on state lands within the range strip-mined areas were reclaimed in the herd's primary stomping grounds This reversal of deteriorating range conditions had a very positive effect on the elk  Researchers do not know exactly why the elk herd increased from 38 to 135 animals from 1973 to 1981 Habitat improvements appear to have helped by somewhat concentrating daily movements and reducing elk encounters with civilization Some people also speculate that dry weather during the eight-year span may have suppressed snail populations thus reducing the occurrence of brain worm in the herd Others believe the presence of researchers and a growing number of elk enthusiasts in the area discouraged illegal activities It's also important to note that census refinements during this period without question increased the proficiency of counters to find elk and no doubt led to the discovery of previously uncounted elk it appears the increase was the product of several activities and changes But all of that changed briefly in the summer of 1982 when the Game Commission announced it was going to hold a lottery to pick 30 people who would be permitted to kill a Pennsylvania elk planned for either late 1983 or early 1984 Getting the chance to take a Pennsylvania elk which hadn't been hunted in more than half a century expected to be an annual event for two to three years was a response to the increasing crop damage being caused by the growing elk herd which had doubled in size from 1971 to 1981 Many agency officials considered the hunt an alternative to the use of spotlights and rifles to resolve elk crop damage a tool that could be used for selective harvest and customized management It was a move seemingly destined to take the gun -- and unregulated harvest -- out of the farmer's hands and place it firmly in the grip of wildlife managers The annual hunts were expected to reduce the herd of 135 elk to between 65 and 75 animals over a period of several years interested hunters would pay a nonrefundable $10 fee to be included in a public lottery The 30 applicants drawn would then participate in another drawing to determine what sex of elk they could shoot they'd be required to buy a $15 elk permit as appealing as it was to most hunters statewide was not popular in Elk and Cameron counties Some farmers and residents there were rankled by the suggestion that someone from out of the area would kill their elk So they took matters into their owns hands 15 elk were shot illegally and 11 others were killed while causing crop damage When combined with other mortality for the year The need for a hunt was gone; what was considered surplus or expendable had been removed from the herd didn't dissipate with the loss of 35 animals which meant something other than a controversial lottery hunt would have to be tried The most apparent remedy was to intensify habitat improvement work on state game and forest lands in the roughly 250-square mile elk range in an effort to keep the big beasts away from agricultural areas The best way to accomplish that was under a new cooperative elk management plan developed by the Game Commission and Department of Environmental Resources' Bureau of Forestry and implemented in early 1982 which established the state's first elk management objectives sought to improve habitat for elk on public lands and render technical assistance to landowners who were frequently troubled by elk comprising Game Commission and Bureau of Forestry officials and local farmers and sportsmen was formed to address elk-related problems and serve as a conduit between managers and residents It functioned more as a sounding board than a regulatory body but the committee's periodic meetings kept everyone abreast of what was going on Habitat improvements under the management plan began slowly because of budgetary and manpower constraints not to mention negative reaction from some who questioned the logic of dedicating Game Commission resources to an animal that couldn't be hunted But with time and through an educational effort that showed elk habitat improvements also benefited species such as deer the amount of habitat work increased and opposition to it waned Herbaceous openings and food plots were created and timber regeneration cuts made prescribed burning and mowing were used to improve grasses and clovers and farmers were enlisted under sharecropping agreements to plant remote herbaceous openings Succulent legumes -- alfalfa and clovers -- were also planted on food plots to attract and hold elk on public lands Although the program provided only limited benefits in its early years it eventually evolved into a tremendous operation that truly catered to elk "We set up the best buffet that we could for elk," said Jim Hyde who was involved in game lands planning and development during the period attracted more and more attention and funding as the '80s progressed an elk was fitted with a marking collar for the first time to track movement research activities picked up with each passing year Most studies during the '80s focused on elk movements and home range the agency identified the need to acquire land in the Winslow Hill area and gained valuable insight into elk food preferences "Some range and movements of elk varied greatly between the sexes and seasons of the year," agency biologist Rawland D "Bulls used home ranges that were more than three times larger and over twice as far across as those used by cows Home range and movements also varied by season Elk showed a preference for herbaceous openings in the spring The study results reinforced the ongoing management plan which leaned heavily on creating the types of habitat elk typically seek out many elk were persuaded to stay off farmlands where they'd likely have been killed if they caused crop damage elk research concentrated on herd reproduction much of which was accomplished through telemetry and blood analysis biologists developed and implemented in 1992 a new census technique -- a total aerial survey -- that provided more reliable population estimates and a helicopter were used to cover the territory used by elk The Game Commission's elk management efforts received a substantial shot in the arm in 1990 when the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) contributed $38,000 toward the purchase of State Game Lands 311 in the Winslow Hill area of Elk County (near Benezette) the RMEF contributed an additional $92,000 to help fund habitat enhancements and purchase and erect deterrent electric fencing on areas sustaining substantial elk crop damage Five- strand electric fence was placed around fields and pastures on more than 550 acres cultivated by six farmers all areas where elk conflicts were being resolved with a gun the number of elk being shot for crop damage declined the elk herd's size changed little; it comprised 120 to 150 animals Annual mortality -- elk killed by poachers by dogs and cars -- seemed to be offsetting reproductive gains with the aid of better natural food conditions and deterrent fencing the herd's size was estimated to be 205 elk; in 1993 That the state's elk had endured two score and a handful of years without any management assistance -- save closed season protection -- was a credit to their perseverance and a blessing for Pennsylvanians who have come to truly appreciate this unique resource the more they seem to respond to it," surmised former agency biologist William Drake who had worked with the states elk for some time the elk herd experienced significant annual growth more than doubling its early 1990s numbers The population gains were the product of myriad factors including: increased use of deterrent fencing; specialized habitat management to accommodate elk; heightened public awareness about elk; and increased human presence in the elk range  The Game Commission in 1998 launched a three-year trap-and transfer project to remove elk from areas in their primary range in Elk and Cameron counties where they were in conflict with other land uses or pose a threat to the public calves and some spike bulls are taken in a corral trap; antlered bulls especially those hanging out on the fringes of communities The program expanded the elk range from about 350 to 800 square miles with assistance from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry and Bureau of State Parks and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation trapped and transferred 63 elk from Elk County and relocated them in Clinton County The project was started to accommodate the primary elk ranges steadily growing population which had begun expanding on its own into western Clinton and northern Clearfield counties It was a proactive management approach to limiting elk conflicts and the potential for habitat deterioration Expanding the elk range was also an important goal of the state's elk management plan Elk taken to Clinton County were placed in a three-acre holding pen and released several weeks later after spring green-up was underway They were released from three different sites during the project The traditional elk range was comprised of one-third publicly-owned land and two-thirds privately-owned land The expanded range encompasses an area that is just the opposite: two-thirds publicly-owned land and one-third privately-owned land "We expect that we will see fewer conflicts with humans if the elk are on public land," Cogan noted The trap-and-transfer project was funded by and in cooperation with the PGC Purdue University and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and fees and procedures for applying for the special permit Following a series of open houses throughout Pennsylvania to collect public opinion about holding an elk hunt the Board of Game Commissioners in April 2001 adopted a proposal to hold an elk hunt later that year More than 50,000 individuals submitted applications to be part of Pennsylvanias first elk hunt in more than 70 years; 30 were selected for licenses; 27 shot elk Pennsylvanias elk hunt has continued every year since 2001 annually drawing about 20,000 applicants for the elk licenses made available the Game Commission scheduled and held the states first-ever September elk hunt a special seasons designed to assist farmers who sustain substantial elk crop damage in the early fall Two elk were taken in the first September season The agency in 2003 created a preference system for the elk license drawing individuals who are not awarded either an antlered or antlerless elk license in an annual drawing will be granted preference  or increased opportunity in future drawings A preference point is awarded for each year a hunter has applied and has not been selected Another change that occurred in 2003 was a discontinuation on the limit of nonresident licenses that may be awarded (WCHS) — A new private outdoor designated area and hope that it will continue to draw business into the summer months "We were busy in here," said Robin Sylvester So I even made my wine and walked down the street and had a beer and walked back up I think once the weather gets a little bit better and more things going on people are going to be down here some more this allows people to bring drinks into their shops One of those stores is Sage Beauty Company and owner Rachel Wheeler said she thinks this will provide a boost to the whole area "I just think it'll be really good for foot traffic and bring in some more business," Wheeler said "And life back to our community again and all the little stores in between." Wheeler said so far her shop hasn't received much business generated by the PODA during the week but said she believes weekends will bring more people to explore Elk City "I think it'll bring more more foot traffic to our area," Wheeler said "And so between the Nano Brewery being across the street where you can get a PODA cup and then they cross the street to Latchuh and the Sage and then maybe hit up Kinship Goods I think our area will see an uptick of business." The new PODA in Elk City is open from 4-10 p.m Two Pennsylvania elk hunters will have an earlier chance to hunt including when the elk are still in velvet this year as part of several changes that were approved for the state’s elk program During Saturday’s board meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission commissioner Kristen Koppenhafer of Warren successfully asked the board to change the dates for the special elk conservation tag season from Sept Pennsylvania provides two elk tags each year to conservation groups “It’s come to our attention as a board that we’ve had some large bulls that have been causing crop damage in some agricultural fields and we have farmers down there that are absolutely willing and able to partner with hunters to allow hunters to take those trophy-class bulls at a time when the season is currently not open We’ve had instances in the past where we’ve had trophy bulls killed for crop damage,” she said 100% success rates since they’ve been instituted and allow them the opportunity to harvest those bulls Understanding that this also puts two tags on the table in Pennsylvania for the opportunity to harvest Pennsylvania bull elk which could potentially still be in velvet which would be appealing to a lot of hunters as well,” she said One of the two conservation tags was sold at an auction this spring by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for $275,000 The other tag won’t be awarded until the conservation tag season actually is underway The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) Elk Tag Raffle hunt winner will be selected during a live drawing on July 27 at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette during the Elk Expo Chances are $25 for one ticket or six tickets for $100 Raffle tickets are available at experienceelkcountry.com it’s rare a hunter can legally harvest a buck or elk that hasn’t shed the velvety skin from its antlers by the time traditional hunting seasons begin “So as far as the possibilities of those hunters who get the KECA tag or the RMEF tag but there’s a good chance that they would want to try to take a bull in velvet just because that opportunity doesn’t really exist in other spots in the hunting calendar year I think it’s a unique opportunity,” he said “It’s not only something a hunter might want but then also could provide some relief for a farmer who is experiencing crop damage,” he said New in 2025: Pa.'s rare bull elk hunts to become once-in-a-lifetime chance, other changes also approved the agency finalized several other changes to the elk program which won’t take effect until published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin The agency reports that the process usually takes about six weeks The major change requires all hunters to first have a hunting license before applying for an elk tag Current regulations allow anyone to submit an elk license application but only require applicants to buy a license if drawn A general hunting license for Pennsylvania residents costs $20.97 and $101.97 for nonresidents 55,778 hunters bought 109,780 applications from across the United States Another change makes being drawn for a Pennsylvania elk bull tag a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Any hunter drawn for a bull elk license will be ineligible in future drawings a hunter who drew a Pennsylvania bull elk license could any applicant who draws a bull elk tag will be ineligible to apply for a bull tag ever again The agency reports those who drew a bull tag before Jan still are eligible to draw a second bull tag using the bonus points they’ve already accumulated They won’t be able to enter any new bull elk license applications after that date but they will be applied only to drawings for a cow tag going forward This limitation doesn’t apply to the Special Conservation Elk Licenses auctioned or raffled off by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Keystone Elk Country Alliance The commissioners also capped Pennsylvania’s elk tag awards going to no more than 10% nonresidents each year and while the percentage of tags going to nonresidents typically had been about 10% it has increased in recent years to as high as 13% which the agency reports drew concern from residents the Game Commission will be offering 140 elk licenses that will be awarded during an electronic drawing on July 26 during the elk expo Chances for an elk tag in each of the three seasons can be purchased at huntfishpa.gov or at any store or country treasurer that sells hunting licenses meaning a hunter can enter all three drawings for $35.91 This year’s licenses include 65 antlered and 75 antlerless tags that are allocated across three elk seasons in northcentral Pennsylvania For the one-week general season to run Nov 30 antlered and 38 antlerless tags have been allocated 16 antlered and 11 antlerless licenses are available There are 19 antlered and 26 antlerless licenses available for the Dec 106 of the 140 elk tags awarded were filled by successful hunters The agency estimates there are more than 1,300 wild elk in northcentral Pennsylvania Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elk + Elk is pleased to announce the addition of Joshua D Farrell to the firm as a personal injury and medical malpractice attorney With a solid background in litigation and a client-focused approach Joshua brings valuable insights and experience to our expanding legal team "I take pride in guiding my clients through the nuanced nature of their cases and delivering results through effective communication and relentlessness," said attorney Joshua Farrell "Joining Elk + Elk allows me to grow as an attorney while continuing to make a real difference."  Before specializing in personal injury and medical malpractice Joshua gained experience across several practice areas giving him a comprehensive understanding of the law and its impact on people's lives he uses that background to advocate for individuals and families affected by serious injuries and medical errors "We are excited to welcome Josh. While he began his legal career in Illinois, we are thrilled that he has returned home to Ohio and decided to join our team," said Managing Partner Jay Kelley.  "As a passionate and insightful attorney he will be a fantastic addition and an excellent advocate for our clients." He is currently admitted to practice law in Illinois and is in the process of gaining admission in Ohio Joshua is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Ohio Association for Justice (OAJ) is a personal injury law firm with offices located throughout Ohio The firm's attorneys have protected the rights of thousands of injury victims and have won some of the state's largest verdicts and settlements Elk + Elk assists clients with a wide variety of personal injury claims Elk + Elk is pleased to welcome Ohio native Antonia "Toni" Mysyk to the firm as a personal injury attorney With top-tier academic achievements and a .. Elk + Elk is thrilled to announce a game-changing partnership with the Cincinnati Reds becoming the team's first and only personal injury law firm.. Personnel Announcements Do not sell or share my personal information: JASPER — Twenty elk were harvested during Arkansas’s 2024 season the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s elk program coordinator 14 were taken on private land and six from public land All nine bulls had racks of 5×5 (number of points on each antler) or greater experienced an amazing day of hunting on Richland Valley Elk Conservation Area part of the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area rice and soybean farmer from Jonesboro took an elk in Utah a few years back but had not had a chance to chase them in Arkansas until last fall He began his Arkansas elk quest by scouting with a friend They happened upon a hunter and his helper the morning of Oct 28 who were about to hunt the assigned unit next to Wray’s They exchanged cellphone numbers in case one or the other needed help texted the other hunter and found out he had bagged a bull Wray and Pruitt helped cape the elk and haul out meat With all the commotion and celebration after shooting the elk “There’s two draws that led from where we were with (the successful hunter) back to the meadows,” Wray said “We sat that afternoon where we could see both of those draws so I could shoot (along) both of them.” “We looked at each other – ‘Was that closer?’ ” Wray said a bull “charges off the side of that mountain crosses that road and then starts trottin’ out across one of those wheat fields.” Wray took him with a 28 Nosler from 78 yards A taxidermist friend put together a shoulder mount of the 6×6 “I will be putting in for the draw and going to (the Buffalo River Elk Festival) every year probably for the rest of my life and hope that the stars align again,” Wray said “I had my hands on two dead Arkansas bulls in one day – that’s absolutely crazy.” The hunts are within the core elk management zone All public-land hunts are on the Buffalo National River Bearcat Hollow Wildlife Management Area or Gene Rush WMA (hunters are assigned specific zones) The application period for elk hunting permits is May 1-June 1 The permit draw is held each year at the Buffalo River Elk Festival in Jasper About 6,600 people applied online for permits in 2024 plus 620 who applied during the festival in hope of winning one of three onsite permits Only Arkansas residents may be granted permits Here’s a list of all successful hunters and their harvests Richland Valley Elk Conservation Area; and Gary Melson Contact: Christina Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Zone BiologistChristina.Kizewski@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-3882 – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates a successful elk hunting season The state’s seventh managed elk hunt opened on Saturday The 2024 hunt represented a milestone in Wisconsin’s elk management hunters had the opportunity to hunt in both the Northern and Central Elk zones Previous hunts only occurred within the Northern Elk Zone “It’s exciting hunters have the opportunity to pursue elk in our home state,” said Christina Kizewski every hunter experiences something unique and memorable but especially this year with the first opportunities to hunt elk in the Central Elk Zone The fact that the population is now at a level that allows for a limited hunt underscores the successful management of Wisconsin’s healthy and growing elk herd.” The eight Wisconsin hunters who participated in this year’s hunt were randomly selected from a pool of more than 25,500 applicants The DNR received 17,761 applications to hunt in the Northern Elk Zone and 7,750 applications for the Central Elk Zone The random drawing ensures that each applicant has an equal chance of selection within the respective management zones Applicants were required to identify their management zone of choice during the elk hunting application process all four hunters successfully harvested a bull elk on the third day of the season Two hunters in the Northern Elk Zone successfully harvested a bull elk and Ojibwe Tribal hunters met their four-bull harvest declaration a 10-year-old mentored hunter was able to harvest a mature northern Wisconsin bull elk Hunters Can Apply For The 2025 Elk Hunting Season Next Spring The DNR's elk management is supported by the revenue received through hunter application fees which contribute directly to the future of the state's elk population The 2025 elk hunt application period for Wisconsin residents is expected to open in early spring and run through May 31 hunters must select which management zone they would like to hunt in For more information on elk in Wisconsin, visit the DNR's Elk in Wisconsin webpage storks incubating high in the trees or elk embarking on their seasonal migration toward greener pastures more and more people are tuning in to watch nature live streams The term, which refers to unnarrated coverage of long events — typically shown in real time — dates back to 2009 when the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) aired a seven-hour train journey.  uneventful rail trip captured the public imagination and inspired unabridged coverage of boat trips It also marked the birth of a movement that eventually spread to other countries.  Ten years later, the Swedish Television network (SVT) introduced a non-stop three-week livestream called the 'Great Elk Trek' Thirty-two cameras deployed in the forests of northern Sweden offer views of serene landscapes From the outset, nearly 1 million people tuned in to witness the natural sounds and sights of Swedish wildlife the annual livestream drew over 9 million viewers including a growing number from abroad. It has also spawned an offshoot Facebook group whose 85,000 members engage in lively communication about what is happening on the livestream believes the show's success lies in its contrast to the heady pace of news cycles but still excitement over a longer time," he said Slow TV doesn’t only reach viewers from different countries but also appeals to a wide range of people And they all log on for different reasons.  The elk trek also carries symbolic significance, marking the transition from winter to summer and has become an annual viewing tradition for some Charlotte Ottilia Campeborn has been following the livestream since it started and admits she’s become addicted.  Across the board, slow TV about nature is praised for its positive effect on well-being. But Johan Erhag says its impact can go beyond relaxation , fostering a deeper connection with nature and inspiring climate-conscious behavior "I highly believe the Great Elk Trek has opened people’s eyes to animals and nature and that there is something important in preserving it," Erhag said.   Rebecca Mauldin, assistant professor at the University of Texas in the US city of Arlington, reinforces this idea. She and her colleagues have found evidence that the insights and emotional connection these nature-focused livestreams can generate promotes conservationist attitudes and environmental efforts "People are more likely to want to protect the places and animals they’ve come to know and love."  But the research field on nature-focused livestreams is just beginning and experts maintain that virtual experiences cannot completely replace real ones "Viewing livestreams is probably not as restorative as physically being in nature," Mauldin said it does have similar benefits and can be really valuable for people who are unable to have that physical engagement with nature." Now the real work begins to figure out where to hunt in Montana with a general season or permit tag plus how to approach e-scouting and tools you can use now to increase success this fall If you're thinking of hunting Montana for mule deer this giant data story is a must read to help you narrow down where to hunt Access region by region breakdowns that take a look at harvest What is Utah's Dedicated Hunter program Why are my draw odds better with 0 points than 1 when it comes to Montana's general season combination licenses Montana general season elk hunt districts on the GOHUNT Filtering research tool Drawing a coveted elk or deer tag in Montana is a thrilling moment Whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned hunter finally cashing in points that successful draw is just the beginning you’re now faced with big questions: Where exactly should I hunt This guide breaks down everything you can do inside GOHUNT’s Insider research platform to make the most of your tag from narrowing down units to reading maps like a pro Montana has massive general hunt districts scattered all across the state and even more complex limited-entry districts it's time to get surgical with your location choices This is especially important as with a Montana general tag (Big Game Combination So you need to narrow down your selection to start to develop a plan Bonus Tip: Use the "select seasons" and "weapon" filters to align with your exact tag type Summary: The Montana General Season Elk: Narrowing Down Your Choices article walks through how to dissect Montana’s general elk season options using Insider tools and e-scouting tips that help you eliminate areas that won’t work for your hunting style Once you've identified a few promising areas on Filtering, it's time to hit the GOHUNT Maps platform This tool is integrated directly into Insider on both the web and our mobile app and allows you to: Expert Strategy: Save 2-3 different "Plan A and C" plans to account for access issues or hunting pressure Summary: The How to Narrow Down Where to Hunt When You Draw a Multi-Unit Permit article focuses on how to break down large complex permit zones into manageable options when your tag allows you to hunt multiple units It shows how to overlay map data and use terrain features to find likely elk or deer concentrations This same information can be used for a general season tag when you have the option to hunt a bunch of units Elk and deer aren’t truly evenly spread across the landscape meaning they spend different times of the year occupying certain habitats Understanding topography is key to finding where they feed GOHUNT Maps includes our proprietary custom detailed topographical map but it takes some know-how to interpret it And understanding how to read a topographical map is key and then combine that with our Terrain Analysis Tool… and you’re setting yourself up for success Summary: The How to read a topographic map to find more elk this hunting season article is a goldmine for learning to read topographical maps effectively and how animals use terrain throughout the day Perfect for anyone planning a backcountry or mobile-style hunt we have what we call a Unit Profile that includes: Combine this with Filtering and GOHUNT Maps to get the full picture before committing boots to the ground on your hunt or scouting trip GOHUNT doesn’t just help you choose a unit—it helps you prepare for it The GOHUNT Gear Shop is also fully integrated with curated kits built for elk and deer hunters Drawing a general season Montana deer or elk tag or even a limited entry permit tag is often the culmination of years of waiting But simply having a tag in your pocket doesn’t guarantee success and varying access issues make it one of the most rewarding yet challenging places to hunt This is why being fully prepared is critical Everything outlined in this article—from our Filtering and Unit Profiles to GOHUNT Maps and our Terrain Analysis Tool—translates directly into better decision-making in the field GOHUNT Insider empowers you to make informed choices and ultimately walk away with meat in the freezer or antlers for the wall Drawing a tag in Montana is a huge win—don’t leave your hunt to chance GOHUNT Insider gives you the edge at every step: everything is built to help you make that tag count Filter potential hunt districts by number of animals harvested and more: Target areas with solid animal numbers and good access The data makes it easy to focus your effort where it counts Dive into Unit Profiles of prospective hunt districts: Avoid broad generalizations by looking at the specific areas where hunters surveyed (pressure) is lighter or terrain and vegetation suits your hunting style This helps you find honey holes that many hunters overlook View 3D terrain and satellite imagery: See ridges and elevation changes to evaluate glassing spots Start an initial marking of waypoints for camp and access points: Build your hunt plan visually Save key locations so you know how to hunt the unit and locate backup spots if things change and more: Ensure you’re hunting legally and efficiently is always essential Understanding access points and wildfire history can be game-changing Sync everything to your phone for offline use: GOHUNT Maps app lets you take all of your e-scouting into the field even without cell service once you download layers for offline use Stack layers to zero in on areas with high opportunity AND access: One of my favorites is stacking layers like elevation and terrain type allows you to pinpoint the best overlap of animal presence and huntability Spot north-facing bedding slopes: These slopes stay cooler in the summer and are often used by elk and deer for mid-day bedding and migration funnels: These features are natural travel corridors and staging areas Recognizing them helps you set up smarter ambush locations Full hunt unit breakdown: From terrain photos in the unit Access notes and terrain overviews: Be informed about access These sections can be helpful learning about the unit and how to approach your e-scouting Tag quotas and draw odds: Know what the chances are that you’ll draw for any of the species in this unit and how many tags are given out to residents and nonresidents Historical harvest success rates: Gauge how past hunters have fared by viewing the Animals Harvested graph and set realistic expectations for your hunt Also you can check out the Hunters Surveyed graph to see how popular some general season Hunt Districts are Trophy potential and season trends: Understand the quality of animals available and how conditions have changed over the years Customize gear lists for different terrain or weather scenarios: Build your gear list for your specific hunt based on whether you’ll be backpacking into alpine country or truck camping near lowland meadows Read gear reviews from serious western hunters: Get real insights on boots, optics, shelters, and layering systems that work in Montana’s rugged environments. Check out those gear-based articles here Watch videos on e-scouting, gear reviews, tag strategies, and much more: Learn about everything from shooting your bow, tuning your bow, dialing in your rifle, optic choices, e-scouting, and navigating each state’s draw system on our GOHUNT YouTube channel You’ll waste less time: Instead of blindly exploring unfamiliar terrain you’ll know where to focus your efforts based on data-backed insights not harder: Understanding where animals move and feed helps you intercept them more efficiently You’ll be in the right place at the right time You’ll increase your odds of success: The combination of scouting and tailored gear can be the difference between a filled tag and a story of what could’ve been You’ll have confidence in your plan: Having A/B/C hunt plans mapped and researched ahead of time gives you the flexibility to adapt on the fly if conditions change or pressure spikes Target the best terrain: Use GOHUNT Maps and Unit Profiles to find where animals might be and develop a plan of attack Avoid the hunting pressure: E-scout potential places where access and pressure are more favorable Maximize your time afield: Have a dialed game plan and backup options before the season even starts Do Your Part to Preserve the WILD Nature of the Elk Herd Pennsylvania’s elk herd is located in the state’s northcentral region As many as 1,400 elk freely roam across 3,000 square miles Visiting Pennsylvania’s Elk Country has become an annual tradition and regular trip for thousands of people from near and far ELK SMART provides four simple and effective ways that all elk viewers can ensure the wild essence of the herd remains for generations to come The initiative was created in 2020 to encourage those visiting recreating and living within the elk range to be mindful of their actions and to help keep the elk WILD The best time of day to view elk is in the mornings and evenings. The most popular time of year to view elk is during the rut, which typically begins in September and carries through October. Check out the Elk Viewing Guide and Elk Scenic Drive Map from the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau just as the elk herd calls this beautiful area of Pennsylvania home so do plenty of human residents and camp owners Please remember to be respectful of private property while visiting Winslow Hill is hands down the best place to see elk you can count the whiskers on an elk's face here Sometimes they're so close to the viewing positions and roads The Game Commission's Food and Cover workers maintain an elk viewing area with off-road parking a pavilion and portable toilets overlooking carefully managed elk habitat on Winslow Hill Elk frequent this area in fact some seemingly never leave as well as whitetails and wild turkeys three miles from its intersection with Route 555 in Benezette Hicks Run Viewing Area is adjacent to the Hicks Run Cemetery along Route 555 on the Elk State Forest This viewing area with blind overlooks high-quality elk forage Elk are commonly present there early and late in the day all year It's a great stop to tie into a fall foliage ride and the viewing blind offers fine photography opportunities The viewing area is along Route 555 about 12 miles east of Benezette Please park with care and be respectful of the cemetery If you're more active and are into leaving the road behind there are two other possibilities for you to consider recognize that you're entering the Allegheny Mountains and you will find challenges that may test your abilities sometimes difficult-to-cross streams; rattlesnakes; unfamiliar surroundings; steep terrain 19-mile Elk Trail on the Elk State Forest will satisfy your thirst for things wild railroad grades and utility right-of-ways meanders through decent elk country providing the hiker with both casual and occasionally strenuous stretches of travelway to cover Camping locations are available along the way The only parking is at the trailhead along Dents Run Road about two miles north of its intersection with Route 555 Call DCNR at 814-486-3353 for more details then maybe the Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail would be more to your liking The 26-mile loop also with shorter routes gives riders an unforgettable ride through the Elk State Forest and some of the finest elk territory Pennsylvania has to offer The trail comes with great mountain vistas satisfying encounters with elk and other forest denizens and a taste of wilderness that most naturalists will enjoy The trailhead and day-use parking for equestrians are along East Hicks Run Road about 3.75 miles from its intersection with Route 555 go to Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail or call DCNR at 814-486-3353 The Hoover Farm Viewing Area of Moshannon State Forest has a viewing blind (handicapped-accessible) overlooking food plots and wildlife openings maintained by the Game Commission Located at the intersection of Wykoff Run Road and Quehanna Highway the viewing area is owned by the DCNR and annually draws elk from the nearby big woods It's a fascinating area to visit with loads of potential Route 555 runs through the heart of Pennsylvania's elk country so whenever you're on the road between Weedville and Driftwood traveling through the scenic Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek corridor the lower end of the Quehanna Highway around Medix Run Thank you for joining us in elk viewing this season Pennsylvania on some of the 1.5 million acres of state game land owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission landowners or other entities located in Elk Country interested in sharing or displaying ELK SMART materials can request them by contacting the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northcentral Region Office at 570-398-4744 Follow any of the ELK SMART partners listed above on social media to help spread the word by sharing posts during the peak of the elk viewing season this fall Property and business owners in Pennsylvania’s Elk Country who are interested in obtaining an ELK SMART yard sign posters or flyers can contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Region Office by calling 570-398-4744 ENJOY YOUR TIME IN PENNSYLVANIA’S ELK COUNTRY National Park Service workers began dismantling a controversial fence in the northern reaches of Point Reyes National Seashore that barrier—eight feet high and two miles long—has hemmed a herd of elk into a 2,600-acre preserve on a windswept peninsula called Tomales Point.  the park is finally addressing those concerns “The benefit of removing this enclosure,” said Anne Altman “is to allow elk to access additional habitat increase the species’ population resilience during drought and promote a more natural population cycle.” Like so many fences across the American West the elk barrier at Tomales Point was erected at the behest of cattle ranchers—which brings us to the unusual circumstances of the seashore’s establishment Point Reyes is one of the only national park units that has working farms within its boundaries The seashore’s dual mission—to protect landscapes while also maintaining historic ranching operations—was considered a monumental compromise between federal administrators the storied former president of the Sierra Club I wanted to see the missing section of this infamous fence for myself I drove north from my home in the East Bay through the redwood groves of Marin County and into the small town of Inverness situated on the placid waters of Tomales Bay director of Turtle Island Restoration Network one of a coalition of environmental groups that have pushed for over a decade to have the fence removed I dodged a truck with a livestock carrier hitched to the back The scene is uncommon for most national parks where ranchers have grazed livestock along its rolling hills and plunging cliffsides for more than a century.  When the seashore was established 62 years ago the Park Service bought up those historic ranches which it then rented back to the ranchers for 20- and 30-year leases. Today there are roughly 20 working ranches within Point Reyes’s boundaries and Holsteins—which number close to 6,000—are a far more common sight across the seashore than its roughly 700 elk Even when the droves of cattle aren’t in view muddy wallows scar the green hillsides and manure-tinged water flows from dairy facilities across the pavement and into ditches along the roadside I met Bouley at a cattleguard near the entrance to the Tomales preserve The back of his T-shirt read “Nature Provides the Answers.” On the west side of the road a tall fence made of high posts and thick black wire followed the contours of the hillside; on the other side of the road you can see where the posts were cut,” he said Bouley said that elk have already been seen utilizing the 850-foot gap and moving out of the preserve.  On the side of the fence where cattle were allowed to graze the hillside was covered in a feeble stubble of grasses which for four decades has been off-limits to cattle and browsed by elk lay a proliferation of native shrubs and grasses.  They were native to a large swath of central and northern California including Point Reyes But relentless hunting and destruction of habitat took its toll in 1874 a small population was discovered on a massive ranch in the Central Valley belonging to the cattle baron Henry Miller a small number of animals survived until 1976 when Congress passed an act to create federal preserves to protect the species 10 elk (eight females and two males) were captured and released at Point Reyes experiencing at least three crashes in the past 25 years dropping to a low of 283 animals after a severe drought in 2015 “You had hundreds of animals in the care of the National Park Service painful deaths of dehydration and malnutrition,” said Bouley.  Park Service officials attempted to head off that situation transplanting elk from Tomales Point to other parts of the park Those animals have gone on to form two other distinct populations outside of the Tomales Point preserve (A few other intrepid elk have escaped from the enclosure perhaps by swimming in the ocean to skirt the fence smaller herd just outside the Tomales preserve.) Bouley noted that none of those other herds suffered the mass die-offs that the Tomales Point herd did a conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity said the fundamental problem with the fence is that it doesn’t permit elk to behave naturally there is insufficient water and forage at Tomales Point And so you had these boom-and-bust population cycles.” Removing the barrier will allow the animals to roam freely in search of water and forage as well as mates in different herds.  Because all of Point Reyes’s elk come from a mere 10 animals their genetic diversity is compromised—a “genetic bottleneck” that has made the population much more susceptible to disease will allow the Tomales elk to mingle with their cousins in other herds scattered across the park That interbreeding will allow them to better endure outbreaks the most serious of which is Johne’s disease a serious and widespread gastrointestinal ailment transmitted from domestic livestock to wild animals.   The day after the Tomales Point fence removal began filed a preliminary injunction to halt the project The Park Service immediately stopped the removal but not before this 850-foot parcel of fence had been taken down the Park Service has no plans to put it back up a rancher who operates a 1,400-acre parcel called Ranch G near Tomales Point testified in the CCA lawsuit that elk pose a threat to his herd stating that he has seen “fences destroyed” and “elk bullying cattle away from feed and water.” and it should be managed with the needs of wild animals in mind We need to move past this experiment.”  Though the Park Service would not comment for this story due to the pending litigation the NPS elk management plan estimates that the 71,000-acre park could sustain a population of several thousand elk Point Reyes could reach those numbers in 20 years “Eventually there will be a population problem,” he said When there are fewer than 6,000 Tule elk in the entire world—1 percent of the historic population give or take—it’s a good problem to have.” Once the elk reach carrying capacity the animals could be transported out of the park to other preserves to help bolster their numbers.  His recent work has appeared in publications including Harper's These mollusks go with the flow but aren’t easygoing Locals celebrate Texas Parks and Wildlife's reintroduction of bighorn sheep The work is part of a growing movement of scientists starting with habitat conservation Climate change and development could threaten this remarkable comeback Get articles like this one sent directly to your inbox With this action you affirm you want to receive Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. © Sierra Club 2025.The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright Sign up to receive Sierra News & Views to get articles like this one sent directly to your inbox Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct prescribed fire activities at the National Elk Refuge beginning as early as April 22 The specific schedule is weather dependent and could be conducted as late as May 31 Specific areas will be burned to remove old and matted vegetation The target area includes approximately 147 acres of the Pederson Unit located east of the Gros Ventre River and approximately 2 miles north of the Jackson National Fish Hatchery small piles of vegetation debris may be burned on the Poverty Flats Unit located north of the refuge maintenance facilities The total footprint for these piles will be less than one acre in size.  Professional fire personnel from the Service will conduct the prescribed fire activities The Service carefully plans every burn to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities experts review specific conditions that includeweather sensitive habitats / species and availability of resources to ensure fire objectives will be met and the burn is completed safely Firefighters conduct a test fire prior to the prescribed fire to verify that the prescribed fire behavior characteristics will stay within the planned objectives plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal illness that affects members of the deer family Wildlife & Parks is urging hunters to help protect these herds and preserve their heritage by having their animals tested this season Although it started out a bit shakily, a program once referred to as “bulls for billionaires” has grown in popularity but still faces a variety of criticisms, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual report Wildlife & Parks has released its annual report on its Elk Hunter Access Agreement program The Elk Hunting Access Agreement program was created in 2001 languishing with little involvement until the 2021 Legislature made tweaks that attracted landowner interest to the free either-sex elk tag provided climbed from only two landowners in 2002 to 38 by last year The legislative change that spurred the increase was a decision to drop the number of other hunters the landowners had to allow from four to three Last year’s 38 agreements provided 67 elk licenses or permits to the landowner or their designated appointee Out of the 61 who responded to a request for information FWP found almost 61% killed an elk with almost 71% killing a branch-antlered bull This compares to about 14% of public land hunters who are successful killing a cow or bull elk some of which were part of FWP’s Block Management Program that pays landowners to allow public hunting on private land landowners reported providing free elk hunting access to an additional 2,856 public hunters — the majority of which came from only three ranches One survey commenter noted they chose not to participate in the program because the land was already open to the public through Block Management and overrun with hunters but in this instance there clearly was no benefit for being selected to hunt the property as everyone was able to hunt whether they were selected or not,” the hunter wrote Of the 39 landowner-selected public hunters allowed access with four of them killing an elk — two cows and two branch-antlered bulls FWP selected another 154 hunters to participate in the program Those who hunted the land reported killing 23 elk — six cows and 17 branch-antlered bulls Comments FWP received ran the gamut when it came to the question of whether participants were satisfied with the program “The EHA has negatively impacted Dunn Canyon Cattle Co and its shareholders,” wrote a Boulder-area participant “We absolutely are not interested in this program and are very dissatisfied with our past experience This experience is making us question our participation in any & all programs.” “Our area has an over population of cow elk Nearly every property is leased to outfitters or under some sort of paid access where only bull elk are targeted Stop the outfitter preference and give the tag preference to the landowner.” Two landowners said they wouldn’t participate in the program again with another five unsure one landowner wrote about elk congregating on the large N Bar Ranch owned by Texas billionaire brothers Dan and Farris Wilks “Landowners in our district should get an automatic tag regardless of being enrolled in the program,” the unidentified landowner wrote “The elk population has exploded here and this year hardly any bulls were harvested the weather didn't bring them off N Bar and when they did come down it was the same as years past that N Bar's outfitters hazed the elk off of the public land as well as ours N Bar also did the same in the (Durfee) hills behind our house where the helicopter fly-in hunters go.” The Elk Hunter Access program has been criticized by landowners who want greater control over the number and type of tags provided to public hunters One participant suggested the state “put tags in the hands of complying landowners and outfitters for use in herd reduction.” Some conservationists have denounced the program for providing free tags to large landowners to kill trophy bull elk rather than to drive down large populations of elk that can cause damage to surrounding landowners' property The annual report also contained various complaints lodged against FWP’s staff who organized the hunt as well as hunters being unable to contact participating ranchers and even one rancher who was reported to a warden for hazing elk and shooting into a group of the animals To read the full report, log on to FWP’s website. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider this year’s crop of program applicants at its June 19 meeting The names of landowner applicants should be available no later than two weeks before the meeting Public comments on the draft agreements can be made during the meeting but participants have to register ahead of time Email notifications are only sent once a day The issue will be addressed by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at its June 19 meeting More details can be found on the commission’s … The population of river-dwelling Arctic grayling has rebounded from earlier this century but challenges remain stopped a man hauling a tugboat on April 24 and inspection staff at the Ana… The property near the county landfill has been used as an unimproved target range for years Since 2024 FWP has been working to develop a publ… Wyoming and Idaho saw only one avalanche fatality each this winter The Wyoming incident occurred in the Togwotee Pass area on Jan Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account