CHARLESTON, W.V. (AP) - West Virginia wildlife officials are using trail cameras to track the state's growing elk population.
Division of Natural Resources assistant wildlife chief Paul Johansen tells West Virginia Public Broadcasting that the elk are migrating from Kentucky and Virginia. Efforts are under way in those states to re-establish the elk population.
Johansen says elk don't recognize state borders, so West Virginia needs to monitor the animals to determine how to best manage them.
There are concerns with the elk's return to West Virginia after more than a century, including damage to crops and elk-vehicle collisions. But Johansen says many hunters support growing the elk population.
However, there will be no elk hunting until the population reaches at least 950 animals in a nearly 3,000 square mile area covering seven counties.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
