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Elk in Iowa(proof)

kbnelson3

Supporter of Landowners
Last year a few elk supposedly escaped from a game farm in northeast Iowa. I saw them a few times on our farm but was told the DNR shot them. This year, I saw two cows and a calf and a bull had been spotted in the area also. I've been dying to get them on trail cam, and lo and behold, along with some pictures of some bruiser bucks, I finally got the elk to step in front of a Cuddeback. don't mind the time stamps, they're wrong, i reset my camera and never set it back up because I really don't care what day or time the pics are from. I have this 5X5 on camera a few times along with the cow.

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My, you've really cracked the case here.

Last year there were 4 different guys, from 4 different counties that had trail cam pics of elk.
 
Sweet, look forward to seeing pics, I actually had never heard that before. I'll check back for pics!
 
I saw a cow elk in a unit of yellow river this spring while turkey hunting. I know they are there, wish I could have got a pic. of her.
 
I saw a cow elk in a unit of yellow river this spring while turkey hunting. I know they are there, wish I could have got a pic. of her.

probably the same elk then. Would be in the same area, roughly, this picture is maybe 3/4 mile from the Yellow River itself
 
I bet that Elk is living the good life!!! Fresh corn, beans, and not huge mountains to travel. Thanks for sharing!!!!
 
"Living the good life". For sure! is there anyone that can hunt them? (does DNR really shoot them?). I really don't know much about elk- do they eat corn & beans and all those goodies?
Cool stuff.
 
If it has a tag in it's ear, then it is fair game for anyone from what I understand. For us guys that aren't used to seeing them, they sure are fun to watch. Thanks for sharing.
 
I consider myself fortunate to be able to see elk within 15 miles of my house. They're a beautiful animal. With any luck maybe you'll one day have a huntable population of them.
 
I hunt the property where these pics came from. I can confirm them. I've seen the cows several times and two bulls on New Years day. Aren't they considered livestock in Iowa? If so, there is no law protecting them is there? Wouldn't it be them same as shooting a mountain lion or a moose? They aren't supposed to be in Iowa either. I have heard it both ways from different people. Guess what I'm saying is if one of them walks by my bowstand this fall will I get in trouble if I shoot one?
 
I talked to the DNR officer that shot the bull last fall. Those elk and a few hogs escaped from an elk ranch last summer when the Yellow River flooded. Ear tag or not I would not shoot an elk in Iowa. The hogs however would definetly get a dirt nap.............
 
I agree with you moosehunter. Would be interesting if they would take off and reproduce. I say if they are in teh Yellow River area, there is a park there correct. Let them be and see what happens. Chances are, they may get the fatale brain worm disease that WisDNR says hold the pop. down. That is why when we released them here, we put them in the big woods up north where deer populations were lower. Now the wolves are eating them. Almost had a huntible population but then came the wolve and they are reducing the numbers of them.

Anyway, would be neet to see free roaming elk in NE Iowa! Let them go I say. Shoot the hogs, they can cause a ton of damage to farmers field in a short time!

Keep the pics coming of these guys, please!
 
I'm not sure what happened to the cows, but the bull was shot. Problem with these were that they were used to being around people. The DNR and the owner of the animals were concerned that someone was gonna get hurt. At least that's what I was told. I kinda think it would be tough to get an elk herd started in Iowa. Not enough big timber tracts to support too many animals.
 
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