Lawrence County to reintroduce elk into area

Nov. 24—Lawrence County is one of several counties in Ohio being targeted for the reintroduction of elk to the region.

Commissioner DeAnna Holliday said she recently attended a meeting on the subject in Columbus.

Holliday points out that the animals are native to the area and the hope is to reintroduce them in pockets that will “merge into a herd.”

Along with mountain lions, gray and red wolves, fisher cats and bison, elk were among the species that were common in the eastern U.S. in the 1700s. But, by 1840, the last native eastern elk in Ohio was shot in Ashtabula County. The last eastern elk in the U.S. was killed in Pennsylvania in 1877 and the species was declared extinct three years later.

Holliday said she attended the meeting with Bryan Dickess, of Mike’s Archery, in Ironton, a store she said is one of the area’s best kept secrets” and supplies hunters worldwide.

“He’s a world-renowned hunter and is trying to make this happen,” she said.

Holliday said the process will take some time and it is in the early stages of approval.

She said having elk in the area would be a draw, not just for hunters, but “also for sight seers.”

She mentioned that Kentucky had a similar program, first releasing a few hundred elk, with a population now at about 1,700.

“That shows how conducive this area is for that kind of wildlife,” she said.

Commissioner Mike Finley pointed out that the same thing is being done in several counties in West Virginia.

The efforts there began in 2016, while elk have also been reintroduced successfully in Arkansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri and Virginia. Illinois and New York are considering feasibility studies on the matter.

The discussion on elk came in the commissioners reports at the end of the meeting, which was an abbreviated one, as far as business.

Also regarding hunting, Finley said thee Special Needs Youth Sportsmen, a nonprofit of which he is an organizer, recently had a hunting event, which he said was well attended.

“We had good fellowship and fun,” he said. “And the food was fantastic. And we’re tickled to death to see everyone pull together in this community for it.”

Holliday also pointed out that it is Youth Hunting Month and said her Facebook feed had been full of photos of youth hunters and their results.

Commission President Colton Copley said if anyone from elsewhere in the country saw his feed, they “would be amazed at the ginormous deer being hunted.”

The commissioners said they are working to promote the county for hunting, as part of efforts to increase tourism.

In other business, the commission:

—Heard from the Lawrence County Family and Children First Council, who are hosting a community baby shower at the South Point Community Center on Dec. 6, in which various agencies will hand out information programs and door prizes and other items will be available.

—Approved flood permits for the county.

—Approved appropriations and transactions under $50,000, submitted by the acting administrator.

—Approved correspondence from County Engineer Patrick Leighty to bring county roads up to Ohio Department of Transportation and Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

“I’m glad he on this,” Finley said of Leighty.” If we didn’t bring them up to the standards, we would not be eligible for federal funds.”

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