Once upon a time, Texas had herds of buffalo and elk that wandered the great plains and the western mountains.

Elk like to spend their summers in the forested mountains and migrate to the plains during the winters.

Current land use practices prohibit this kind of behavior, and as a result, limit the presence of large numbers of elk in Texas. In modern times, buffalo and elk are found only in public or private sanctuaries within the state. In my little part of Texas, there are buffalo in Caprock Canyons State Park, and not far from there is a ranch that has a small herd of elk.

The smaller size of the mule deer and white-tailed deer and their ability to exploit the local range land year round makes them able to inhabit smaller, more patchy environments than the elk.

Elk ranching is an expensive proposition because these animals require a lot of space and very tall fences. Elk are the second largest member of the deer species found in North America and they can jump fences up to 7 feet tall. Elk have a four chambered stomach that helps them process the grass, forbs, leaves and bark they consume daily. Male elk can weigh over 700 pounds while females average near 500. The size of these animals requires 9 to 15 pounds of forage per day.

Elk in Texas occur mainly on private ranches in the Hill country and in West Texas where they encompass enough acreage to provide the habitat needed by these animals. Free range herds exist on ranches in Pecos and Brewster counties where hunting privileges are sold to help support these operations. Elk in these parts are considered a competitor for resources for the Bighorn Sheep and are an unwanted species in local wildlife management areas. Read more about this issue in Texas Monthly.

The post The American Elk in West Texas appeared first on GJM Nature Media.

This image shows a European Wild Hog in sedges near a marsh. Sus scrofa is the parent species to the domestic hogs we raise and consume for food. Pigs belong to the order Artiodactyla which means even-toed ungulates. These creatures walk on their third and fourth digits which are flanked by the smaller second and fifth digits. Artiodactyls include camels, hippopotamuses, deer, giraffes, sheep, goats, cattle and antelopes. Sometimes this group is called the cloven-hoofed mammals.

Wild Hogs are a nuisance species in Texas because they breed throughout the year and can produce litter sizes averaging between 3 and 12 piglets. Their long lifespan of 5- 20 years means that one female could add 15 to 240 individuals to the population.

Since they are omnivores, they feed on roots, nuts, grain, plant stems, insects and their larvae, other small animals and even carrion. Thus, they can become destructive to farmers when a large band decides to eat their crops.

Furthermore, they pose a traffic hazard along highways where individuals and family groups can be found crossing roadways. These large mammals can create serious problems for motorists because they are most active in the early morning and evening when the light conditions make them difficult to see.

Since there are few or no natural predators, wild hog populations expand. Some folks hunt these animals for food. Some landowners shoot them and leave them for the vultures. Wild hogs can pose a danger to humans who encounter them while on foot. Your best bet is to leave them alone and withdraw from where they are without upsetting them because they will attack when they feel threatened.

The post European Wild Hogs, Ham And Bacon To You And Me! appeared first on GJM Nature Media.