Service Biologist for the Buffalo National River, C.D. Scott, said they maintain about 150 fields for the elk along the river.


The AGFC reintroduced elk to the state by releasing 121 Western Elk between 1981 and 1985. An earlier attempt by the U.S. Forest Service in 1933 in Franklin County failed when the herd of about 200 animals, disappeared in the mid 1950s, probably due to poaching, according to the AGFC.


Elk are best spotted in pastures in the early morning or early evening Savage said. Elk will keep to the woods when it is sunny and hot. And, the most popular time of year is late September and early October when they are in rut, the breeding season.


Then, bulls bugle for the attention of cows and to warn other bulls. They try to gather as many cows into their own herd, “called a harem” said Savage, and fight other bulls for cows or to defend their harem.


Savage said he once saw three different fights going on at the same time. It is rare, but they can fight to the death.


Jasper resident Lucy Slater, who grew up in Canada, said “It is like a hockey game when they fight.” Slater loves photographing the elk and said her husband, Steve, takes her to see them on special occasions. “It is my Christmas, Valentines Day and anniversary present.”


Steve recounted a time where a


Neil and Mary Ann Maynard of Stuttgart often make the three-hour trip to view the elk.


large bull jumped a fence and took 20 cows from another bull. “The other bull just stood there,” Steve said. “He had been whipped before.”


Joseph Morgan, owner of the Arkansas House Inn and Café in Jasper, said people from all over the southern U.S. visit Newton County to see the elk during the year and especially during the rut. “They come in droves to see the elk fight,” said Morgan. “It is the most exciting time.”


Morgan also serves elk and buffalo


in his organic café. “People come to view the elk but they also want to eat elk.” Morgan said. “It is really the best meat in the world. It is a neutral flavor. It is not gamey.”


Jasper is the county seat of Newton County and hosts the Buffalo River Elk Festival. The festival draws thousands of people. “It is my biggest weekend of the year,” said Morgan.


Donnie Crain, Buffalo River Elk Festival coordinator, said they will draw upwards of 8,000 people to the two-day festival, which this year


is June 23 and 24.


In addition to arts, crafts, music and elk seminars, the festival is allotted three coveted elk hunting permits by the AGFC which reestablished elk hunting in 1998, the festival’s first year.


Representatives of the AGFC oversee a permit drawing each year held at the festival. In 2016, according to the AGFC, 26 public land permits were drawn from 4,894 applications submitted online. At the festival 642 applied for the three festival permits where


425-0456 Providing compassionate end-of-life care since 1979


Staff available 24/7 • Pain and symptom control • Personal care Medications/medical supplies/equipment • Social services/ bereavement counseling • Spiritual support • Transportation


Main Office: 701 Burnett Drive • Hospice House: 774 Long Street 870-508-1771 • www.hospiceoftheozarks.org Affiliated with Baxter Regional Medical Center


Staci Pace Owner/Hair Stylist


(870) 425-0456 BB-0000126757 Living Well i March/April 2017 31


Heidi Langhammer Hair Stylist


(870) 656-3001


Teresa Jacobs Hair Stylist


(870) 421-6632


1310 Hwy 62 West Mountain Home, AR In the West Creek Center✂Corner of Bomber Blvd and Hwy 62 West.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30