Sika Elk

sparker1 wrote in post #8925698
Had never heard of that "brand". Pretty animal & shot.

Sika elk are not native to the United States. They were brought to this area from Asia in the early 1900s. In fact, a group of boy scouts introduced the elk to Assateague Island in the 1920s. To ensure that the sika do not out compete the native white tail deer, Chincoteague Refuge conducts a management hunt. This harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable renewable resource. Sika have no natural predators on Assateague. Therefore, careful management ensures that the sika, white tail deer, and host of other wildlife and plants that live on or migrate through the refuge can co-exist without harming one another or the habitats upon which they all exist.

jgrussell wrote in post #8926064
Nice capture.