Wild Elk Provide Unique Ranching

Wild Elk Provide Unique Ranching AG WORLD Ag World 5-3-18 Vernon and Cynthia Jonson have fenced off 100 acres of their Flasher, N.D. ranch with 8 ft. high woven wire fencing to contain that state's only privately-owned wild elk herd. The Jonsons bought two bulls and a heifer calf from the Gold Seal Company in Medora, N.D. for $250 apiece in 1972. Gold Seal was raising elk to be used in a wildlife zoo. They had a few extra, so the Jonsons bought them. Today, they have increased herd size to 11, with six more calves being expected soon. Vernon and Cynthia got into elk-ranching because they want to see elk preserved in North Dakota. "Elk used to be common in the state. They're a very secretive animal. When the plains began to be settled, the elk moved into the mountains of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and anywhere else where they could be alone," Cynthia points out. The Jonson's elk are wild despite being fenced in. Vernon only goes into the fenced area about once a year to count the herd. He feeds them no grain or hay and thus has no feeding contact with them. So far, the Jonsons have "harvested" five animals. Cynthia says the first three were for appreciation dinners for the men who helped build the fence and for wild game banquets. The last two were trophy hunts. A man from Minnesota and one from California each paid to shoot one of the elk. The Minnesota hunter paid $2,000 in 1979 for the privilege, and the man from California paid $4,000 this year. Each got a large bull. "The meat is excellent and has no gamey taste like deer," Cynthia points out. Raising elk requires a propagation permit from the North Dakota Fish and Game Department. Obtaining one was easy and cost just $1, according to Cynthia. Earlier, the Jonsons tried raising buffalo and deer on their ranch. "The buffalo were too hard on the grass, and the deer were too susceptible to coyotes. Elk, on the other hand, are easy on the prairie. Also, they're tough and can take care of themselves. Coyotes don t bother them," says Cynthia. Cynthia adds that, ``Our dream is to fence in 500 acres of our ranch for elk. We'd like to put up cabins and host weekend hunters willing to pay to shoot a trophy elk. But that's all it is at this stage ù a dream."

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