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One of Michigan's most sought after viewing species is the elk, and Michigan's Pigeon River Country State Forest is home to one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi. About one thousand elk live in the elk range of southern Cheboygan, Otsego and Montmorency Counties.
- When to View
- What You'll Need
- Elk in Michigan
The most popular time to view elk is during the fall breeding season. In September and October, they are feeding in open grassy areas and the bulls, or male elk, are especially vocal. To get you started on you elk viewing adventure, use the elk viewing guide(link is external)to familiarize yourself with the area, and pick your route.
What you need for a great elk viewing trip: 1. Binoculars or spotting scope. 2. Paper map. Pro Tip: Cell phone service is very spotty, so we recommend printing the elk viewing map(link is external). 3. Patience. Wildlife viewing is never a guarantee, enjoy everything around you! 4. Drinks, snacks, and a tankful of gas.
Elk have a remarkable story in our state. Once common in Michigan, they actually disappeared from the landscape in the late 1800s due to unregulated harvest and lack of quality habitat. The elk herd today dates back to 1918, when seven elk were brought to Wolverine from the Western United States. Currently, the Pigeon River Country State Forestis h...
Elk Viewing. The most popular time to view elk is during the breeding season in September & October when they are feeding in open grassy areas and bulls are bugling. Summer observations are difficult due to leaf cover and viewing is limited. The best times to view elk are at dawn & dusk.
Jan 15, 2019 · Popular Viewing Locations. According to the Michigan DNR, the following locations are good spots to view elk: On Fontinalis Road, about three miles north of Sturgeon Valley Road and near the Cheboygan County line, you will find a small cleared parking area and field.
The City of Gaylord maintains an elk herd and provides viewing areas for the public to stop and watch these impressive animals. Under the City’s care, roughly 40 elk, along with sika and fallow deer, can be viewed from near the Elk’s Lodge off Grandview Blvd. The herd is contained on 108 acres.
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Nov 2, 2018 · The Michigan DNR publishes an elk-viewing guide for self-guided elk-viewing car tours as well as hiking, with GPS coordinates for precise locations on best chances to see elk in the wild.