![]() The analysis can help determine if the elk are from West Virginia or elsewhere. He carefully selects which animals to tranquilize so they can be outfitted with a GPS tracking collar, ear tags, and blood samples pulled to determine the DNA. Kelly has bait sites established which enable him to use a dart gun to sedate the animals. It’s not out of the question since Pike and Martin County in Kentucky are not that far away,” said Kelley.Īlong with the DNA work being done in partnership with WVU, Kelley said they are also starting to get new technology which is helping with the management like tests which can determine if cows are pregnant at the time they work with them and testing for some dreaded diseases like brain worm.Įach year the DNR works up as many of the elk as they can on the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area to keep close tabs on them during the year. I don’t think any were really making their home in West Virginia at that time, but we did follow up with some reports and we had elk very close to the area where we have elk now that were from Kentucky. “Prior to our project starting, we know we had some elk visiting us from over there. It’s happened before, but Kelley said so far they haven’t been able to establish if any of the Kentucky elk have had any interactions with the West Virginia elk. It’s hard to tell at his point if the elk are true West Virginia critters or interlopers from the other side of the Tug Fork River. Once outfitted with a collar and a tag, and DNA and blood samples are pulled, the sedation drug wears off and the elk move on their way no worse for wear. We’ll be able to tell if they are from our stock or from somewhere else,” he explained. “We’ll be able to tell if they did because of a DNA study we’re now doing with WVU. Kelley admitted it’s possible they missed them and it’s also possible they could have wandered into West Virginia from another location. “Actually we’ve handled two different young bulls apparently we missed back about 2019 or so,” said Elk Project Leader Randy Kelley in a recent appearance on West Virginia Outdoors. As the Elk Project team works up the herd for 2023, there’s starting to be evidence that may already be happening. As West Virginia’s elk herd slowly grows, the number of animals will eventually eclipse what the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources can accurately keep tabs on. All told, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed 243 projects in Pennsylvania, with a combined value of more than $20.5 million.HOLDEN, W.Va. Because RMEF believes everyone should get the opportunity to hunt, fish or learn outdoor skills, RMEF Pennsylvania Chapters also fund and help orchestrate numerous hunting heritage and conservation activities across the state. To date, Pennsylvania’s RMEF fundraisers have protected and enhanced more than 14,000 acres of the state’s critical elk habitat. Local banquets like this provide the majority of Elk Foundation conservation dollars, which RMEF is able to leverage by a lofty 9 to 1 ratio through matching partner funds. ![]() Those who are all about wildlife and wild places are welcome to join the Elk Foundation in Pennsylvania. For more information, call Joe Brletich at 48. Those without current memberships will be required to buy one at the door. Include the name, address, phone number and e-mail for the member and name and address for each additional person attending. ![]() Payments may be cash, check or credit card. Reservations may be mailed to: Joe Brletich, 860 Harmony Hill Road, West Chester, PA 19380 In addition to the Progressive Raffles, there will be a live and silent auction plus other raffles. A member from the chapter has won the national Progressive hunt in the past. The winners of the Progressive Raffle need not be present to win, and winners will each be entered into a national drawing for the grand prize hunt. There will be two drawings – one for the rifle and another for the bow. There will be a Progressive Raffle (tickets $20 each). Plant the seed for new growth invite someone who has never been to a RMEF banquet. Doors open at 4:30 and the open buffet dinner will be from 4:45-6:15 p.m.Įvery group that reserves a table for eight (sends in registration and payment for all eight group members in the same envelope), the group will receive $160 worth of general raffle tickets. 30, at The Red Clay Room, 423 Dalmation St., Kennett Square. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), West Chester Chapter, will hold their 14th Annual Big Game Banquet on Saturday, Jan.
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