Bull Elk in Pine Lake

[James M]

We've seen elk in the Pine Lake area before....but today I had a 5 by 5 bull come ripping out during a bush push. I chased after him before he was gone for good to snap some photo's because I know a lot of people wouldn't beleive what I saw. So here he is.

[220swifty]

What side of the lake were you on, we spotted one just east of the lake in July, i thought he might be a farm elk escaped, but couldnt see ear tags or brands or anything to identify him, so assumed him as wild.

[birdhunter99]

I saw a 6x6 along Hwy 590 about 6 miles east and 2 south of Pine Lake about 4 years ago. No ear tags either, I was pretty surprised. I have heard of a few people seeing elk in the area since then.

[blackpheasant]

I have picked up quite a few large elk sheds along the river over there, Pine Lake to the river is not that far, talked to a landowner west of Big Valley who says he is seeing more and more elk in that area as well.

[LongDraw]

I have seen elk on the Red Deer river East of Trochu.

[James M]

Originally Posted by 220swifty

What side of the lake were you on, we spotted one just east of the lake in July, i thought he might be a farm elk escaped, but couldnt see ear tags or brands or anything to identify him, so assumed him as wild.

This was west of the lake....he was running towards me at one point and he had no ear tags and no collar. Being as crazy as he was...I think he's a wild one.

[Albertadiver]

That's very close to our family farm. (Well, only one family member still owns land there) Had 4 1/2 sections west of Pine lake, about 6 miles, right next to the Olson's feedlot. We had a fair amount of bush there, but don't recall seeing any elk when I was still living there.

[Pioneer2]

Also seen 3 cows a couple years back in Kneehill area and 3 more north of the Bi-Lo gas bar.Never noticed any eartags or collars but a local claimed an area man had turned his tame elk loose when prices fell and didn't want to continue bying feed.Hope they are not diseased.This is not confirmed just rumour.............Harold *In the 80's there was a few bull sightings in the Radar Squadron and a buddy found a fresh 5 pt.shed while bowhunting around Lacombe before $$$$$$Game Ranching$$$$$.Everyone was going to get rich!

[cbanderson]

I was out hunting yesterday in the pine lake area yesterday and thought i was seeing things in the bush, saw a huge deer what i thought, but bush was to thick and colour was little darker i'am wondering if it was the elk i seen!

[theduke]

probably came from 320 or 318 ive seen them up there but thats a long ways and a long walk

[Pioneer2]

The Bentley ski hill is closer..................Harold

[cndrbrown]

what area or wmu is this? ive seen a nice bull elk hanging out around an elk farm right near the trochu grain elevator

[Donny Bear]

First I saw were 12 yrs back west of Elnora 11 animals no tags or collars wild elk on the battle the Red Deer and the Sask rivers just re-establishing traditional range from long ago IMHO

[Mudguy]

There use to be an Elk farm near Elnora, I think it attracted a lot of wild elk about 8-10 years ago, for a while it was common to see them every day. The elk farm is gone now, and most of the wild ones moved on, but you still see the odd one now and then. They did a lot of damage to land owners trees, hay and injured several horses. They were a pest to a lot of people. I wonder why there's not as many around any more, I have a few theories.

[Young Eldon]

Mudguy,
Can you elaborate on what injuries elk supposedly caused too some horses? I have seen thousands of elk living among horses and never heard of them directly causing any injuries to the horses.

[Mudguy]

Had the horses tied up out side, big bull come along and gauged it in the side with its horns, horse could get away because it was tied up. 2-3 inches deep holes in several spots, seen with my own eyes, had to get the vet. Do you find that hard to believe or something?

[habman12]

From what I have seen while out and about and on trail cam, there are approx 20 animals NW of Pine Lake (radar hill area) and there is also a group NW of Elnora a couple miles, I have seen 3 bulls there and talking with the locals there are about 15 running around.

[07icanam]

We have Elk around Bashaw and have been spotted more this year than ever. We seen two cows on the 30th of Nov east of town, there was a big 5x5 spotted as well as a group of six cows with a big 6x6. I wonder if the elk moving east has anything to do with the amount of wolves in the west country, you used to be able to see hundreds and even thousands of elk out west and now they are fewer and far between but have been seeing more in the prairie areas of Central Alberta. I think I am going to keep 999'ing my elk and maybe we might see a draw for some of these wmu's west of wainwright, Provost and etc.

I have seen them all over in 220 and 208, around Pine Lake, Elnora, Trochu, Delburne. And especially Lousana. This is good to see, hopefully they open a season up. Hell of a lot less work.

Originally Posted by TundraBuck

I have seen them all over in 220 and 208, around Pine Lake, Elnora, Trochu, Delburne. And especially Lousana. This is good to see, hopefully they open a season up. Hell of a lot less work.

Even farther east than that, Rumsy, big Valley, heck they have been spotted just south west of byemoor

[220swifty]

Originally Posted by Albertadiver

That's very close to our family farm. (Well, only one family member still owns land there) Had 4 1/2 sections west of Pine lake, about 6 miles, right next to the Olson's feedlot. We had a fair amount of bush there, but don't recall seeing any elk when I was still living there.

The elk i spotted was 1/2 mile south east of olsons feed lot, and 6 miles west of the lake.

[Snap Shot]

I know this is not to you southern folk.. but i have seen wild elk right up to stony plain 20 min from edmonton.. and some of the best elk hunting in alberta is right beside sangudo along the river full of elk... They have moved to our back yards IMO you just have to spend the time and they are there.!