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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.
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Are there elk in Michigan?
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Are there elk in Gaylord Michigan?
- 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...
Oct 13, 2023 · You can see elk herds in northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan around the Gaylord region. What areas of Michigan have elk? Where are Elk In Michigan? The Pigeon River Country State Forest in Northern Michigan near Gaylord is home to Michigan's only free-roaming elk herd. There are about 500 head of elk! How many bull elk are in Michigan?
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.
Oct 21, 2021 · The Michigan elk herd can only be found in areas throughout Otsego, Montmorency, Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties. There are 13 designated elk viewing areas that can be accessed by roads throughout the Pigeon River Country State Forest near Gaylord.
Mar 17, 2022 · Most of Michigan’s elk live in the Gaylord-Wolverine area, with the largest numbers in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. A tightly restricted annual hunt helps keep elk herds from becoming so dense that they disrupt farmland or cause road accidents.
