If you want to see elk in Virginia, there’s now a comfortable place to do so. The first of three planned public wildlife viewing shelters is built and available for use. It is located in close proximity to Southern Gap in Buchanan County where the Virginia elk herd roams in the western part of the state.
The first shelter was made possible thanks to a collaborate effort by many folks including Noah Horn Well Drilling, SWVA Sportsmen, SWVA Coalfields Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, SWVA NWTF, Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure, Spear Head Trails, Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, Buchanan County IDA, VA DGIF, Terra Tech and the efforts of numerous volunteers from across the region.
RMEF provided both funding and volunteer manpower to assist with the successful reintroduction of elk back onto their native Virginia range from 2012-2014.
Virginia has a goal of growing the herd to about 400 animals and eventually instituting a regulated hunting season. Proceeds from hunting permits will target elk habitat and conservation efforts.
(Photo source: SWVA Sportsmen Inc.)
