Historic elk hunt held in Bancroft

By Matt Kerr

The first elk hunt in over 100 years took place in the North Hastings area, from Madoc north to Bancroft, from September 19-25.

Hunters from all over Ontario vyed for a chance to take down an elk.

“After the week-long harvest, 18 animals were brought in to the voluntary check stations,” said Jolanta Kowalksi of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

The final number of elk harvested this year will be available in mid-October when mandatory reports need to be submitted.

Professional model Sandor Johnson shot the first elk. Johnson will be taking the animal to Woods and Water Taxidermy in Campbellford.

Master Taxidermist Robert Goudreault said he is eager to be able to mount the animal, which will be a first for him.

“I have mounted just about everything else from red deer to moose and bear, but this will be a first for me,” said Goudreault, who has won many taxidermy awards.

The MNR had complete control of the hunt with strict regulations to follow.

Elk seals were issued after residents applied for a random draw in the summer. Ontario residents had to pay $15 dollars to enter the draw with a small chance of getting a seal against the hundreds that applied.

“There were hundreds of applications for the opportunity and many hunters consider it a privilege to hunt elk,” said Lezlie Goodwin, communications manager for the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers.

Hunters were permitted to hunt on crown land or private land with written landowner consent. The decision to hunt elk in Ontario was made when the elk reached a self-sustaining point.  The number of elk hunted was calculated by setting a population objective.

The hunt is a tool used to regulate the population at around 500 animals in the area.

According to the MNR, the elk in the Bancroft area have been fairly tame and not afraid of humans and now the hunt will hopefully instill fear in them.

The elk in the area were said to be causing problems with local farmers by eating their crops and the hunt provides a way for the farmers to legally harass and kill the elk on their property. Until three years ago the elk did not cause any problems but a few herds had started to become a problem for local farmers.

There have not been any reported illegal kills of the elk and the hunters acted without incident during the week-long harvest.

According to the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers, the hunt has two potential benefits. Families get the opportunity to honour family tradition by hunting elk which is one of the best game meats available. Elk meat is low in fat and cholesterol and it is also free of any sort of pesticides and chemicals. The other benefit is that it helps stress the elk that have started to enter farmers’ fields and eat their crops.

The OFHA is not concerned with people mistaking whitetail deer for elk during the fall season, said Goodwin

“Were not concerned with hunters mistaking elk for deer because they should be practising responsible hunting of knowing the species,” said Goodwin.

Elk are a member of the same family as deer and moose but are larger than deer and have a different colour than moose.

The elk were originally brought to Ontario in 2000 from Elk Island National Park in Alberta. Seventy elk were first introduced in 2000 but they have flourished in the rugged countryside. In total 400 elk were released in four sites across Ontario but according to the MNR the only herd that has truly thrived is the Bancroft herd.

The elk hunt will take place from the 3^rd Monday in September to the following Sunday every year with total seals issued by the amount of elk in the area.