Watch for Elk on Mountain Roads This Winter
Frankfort, Ky. – Motorists in southeastern Kentucky should watch out for
elk in the road during the next few months, as animals move to lower
elevations in search of food.
“Considering the number of elk we have, there aren’t many collisions,” said
Law Enforcement Capt. Kenneth Amburgey of the Kentucky Department of Fish
and Wildlife Resources. “Drivers need to observe the speed limit in areas
where we’ve had collisions before, and cautiously ease through if they see
elk. It’s important to watch for other traffic at the same time.”
Roads with the highest number of elk-vehicle collisions during the past few
years include KY 7 in Knott County, KY 582 in Knott and Floyd counties, KY
476 in Perry County, U.S. 421 in Leslie County and KY 66 in Clay County.
“The vast majority of elk-vehicle collisions happen from Thanksgiving
through April,” said Tina Brunjes, big game program coordinator for Kentucky
Fish and Wildlife. “Motorists need to be aware that elk move a lot this time
of year.”
Elk are most likely to move on nights when the moon is full. “They can move
all night during a full moon,” said Karen Alexy, Kentucky Fish and
Wildlife’s research program coordinator. “This time of year, some of the elk
move down from the reclaimed mines in search of food.”
If drivers encounter an elk in the road, they should slow down and
cautiously move past the animal. Drivers should not turn their vehicle’s
headlights off. “Animals freeze when confronted with bright lights,” Brunjes
said. “But if you turn the lights off, they begin moving and you can’t see
them, which can be dangerous.”
Kentucky began restoring free-ranging elk to southeastern Kentucky in 1997.
The state’s herd now numbers about 5,700. However, even with the growing
herd, elk are much less likely than deer to collide with cars or trucks. An
average of 10 elk-vehicle collisions have occurred per year since Kentucky’s
elk restoration began.
“Elk aren’t as prone to dart out in front of cars as deer are,” said Brunjes.
“But it’s still a good idea to slow down and pay attention.”