Safe Sightings
Follow these tips for respectful and safe elk viewing:
Best Location: Boxley Valley elk viewing area along Arkansas 43, south of Ponca.
Best Times: Early morning near dawn and dusk to late evening offer the best viewing opportunities.
Fall Rut: Late September through October is the prime time to witness the elks’ rutting activity, when the bulls bugle and battle for herd domination.
Respect Private Land: Be mindful that much of the land where elk reside is privately owned. Do not cross fences or trespass.
Maintain Distance: Avoid getting too close to the elk to ensure both your safety and theirs. Never try to feed elk.
Use Designated Areas: Use the designated pull-off areas along the highway to view elk safely and avoid obstructing traffic. Watch for elk crossing the highway.
Buffalo River Elk Festival highlights wildlife success story
Renowned for its natural beauty, Arkansas boasts a unique wildlife treasure — the Rocky Mountain Elk. This majestic animal, once absent from the state, has made a remarkable comeback, captivating residents and drawing visitors from far and wide.
The reintroduction of elk will be celebrated at the 26th annual Buffalo River Elk Festival, to be held June 27-28 in Jasper, with a variety of attractions, including the Arkansas State Championship Elk Calling Contest, a kids fishing derby, a Dutch oven cook-off and the popular, on-site Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) elk hunting permit drawings.
Native return
Eastern Elk were native to Arkansas until the 1840s. However, unregulated hunting and habitat loss led to their disappearance from the state.
“In 1981, the AGFC initiated a reintroduction program, bringing in 112 Rocky Mountain Elk from Colorado and Nebraska and releasing them along the Buffalo National River,” says Wesley Wright, AGFC elk program coordinator.
Today, the elk population is carefully monitored through annual aerial surveys. Wright says that the latest survey counted 468 elk, indicating an increase from the previous year of 389.
“That’s a minimum population,” he clarifies. “We know that there are probably more elk than that, but we can say that there are at least that many.”
Conservation pride
Tammy Casey, vice president of the Buffalo River Elk Festival, has been involved since the event’s beginning in 1998. The festival has grown considerably over the years, from its humble beginnings organized by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce.
“The kids fishing derby is a popular event. Those banks along the Little Buffalo River at Bradley Park are fully packed,” Casey says. “There are so many kids that come for that because we have so many great prizes.”
Another major highlight is the Dutch oven cook-off, a culinary competition that celebrates old-fashioned cooking.
“Competitors come and set up their own fire,” she says. “Everything has to be cooked outside, as if you were in the 1800s with no electricity. There are three categories — bread, main dish and dessert. The public can pay $1 to sample and vote for the People’s Choice Award.”
But at its heart, the festival is about celebrating and protecting the elk population.
“They are almost like our children in a way,” Casey expresses with pride. “We have been entrusted with protecting them. It’s about conservation. Let’s keep elk the way they’re supposed to be, even if it’s just on a 100-mile stretch of the river.”
Elk impact
The elk’s impact extends beyond just the festival. It’s a significant economic driver for the Newton County area.
The elk viewing area in Boxley Valley on the Buffalo National River attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, particularly during the fall rutting season. This influx of tourists significantly benefits local businesses.
“It is a benefit to the state, the county and the city of Jasper specifically for the elk to be here. It is a big tourism draw that we have,” Wright says. “Boxley Valley is a prime location for elk viewing. The fall season, especially during the rutting activities, is a peak time for tourism. People enjoy viewing the elk and hearing them bugle at that time of year, but especially when you have the fall colors that are going on.”
But elk can be seen year-round. Wright adds, “Throughout the summertime, you can also see the elk. They’re not visible as long because when the temperatures get hot, they have a tendency to leave the fields quicker.”
The AGFC Ponca Nature Center in Ponca has living habitat exhibits, multimedia presentations and elk experts on staff to educate visitors and share the latest sightings.
The presence of elk in Arkansas is a unique and valuable resource. “When most people think of elk, they think of western states. But a lot of people don’t know that there are elk in (other) states. And Arkansas is one of those. We pride ourselves on this herd,” Wright says.
For more information visit the Buffalo River Elk Festival, and the AGFC.
