Elk Range in California

December 19, 2013

Question: Why are there no elk in the central or southern Sierra Nevadas? It seems like ideal habitat comparable to that found in Colorado, but the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation doesn’t even show it as a historic range for elk. Is there some reason they could not and do not thrive in the high Sierras, or at least the foothills? (Nick C.)

Answer: It’s true that the historic range of elk in California did not include the Sierra Nevada range. According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Statewide Elk and Antelope Coordinator Joe Hobbs, historically tule elk were found in the Central Valley, coast range and the Sierra foothills, but did not occupy the higher elevation regions of the Sierra Nevada.

Previous studies suggest that the Great Basin, combined with the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges, served as a western barrier to the natural movement of Rocky Mountain elk (typically found in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana).

Hobbs also says elk are slowly expanding in California and we have received reports of elk in various parts of the Sierra (Plumas, Sierra and even Tuolumne counties). Currently, California has three subspecies of elk. In addition to the tule elk of the Central Valley and foothills, Roosevelt elk are found in the north coast area and the coastal interior regions, and Rocky Mountain elk reside in northeastern California.

Although the Sierra does seem to be composed of habitat capable of supporting elk, historically this was not the case due to the topography of California. Tule elk were found in the Central Valley and coast range and evolved for utilization of these habitat types and not those found in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. The Great Basin and various mountain ranges prevented the Rocky Mountain elk from dispersing into the western portion of the Sierra Nevada range.

I heard/read years ago that elk were wetland and foothill creatures and were driven to the higher elevations for survival from mans hunting.

I see Elk regularly in the Elkin's Flat OHV area.  Elkin's Flat / Gold Note riding area is South of Sly Park's Jenkinson Lake off Mormon Emigrant Trail.  The trick is to go slow enough to actually look around instead of riding so fast that all you can focus on is the trail and the next turn. 

The elevation is a minimum over 4,000' and goes over 6,000' so I don't call that Sierra foothills. 

Years ago, we had an elk right here in Placerville at the Missouri Flat / Hwy 50 area.  Some local guy shot it, thinking it was a deer.  That was maybe 20 years ago or more though. 

The expansion of wolves into ca in a couple years will take care of any hopes of an expanding elk herd in ca. 

There are at least 3 herds of Elk, in San Luis Obispo County. One out by Shandon, One out at Camp Roberts, And one in the Adelaide area. I see the ones in the Adelaide area the most, Huge racks. As for the wolves, I think there are plenty of pigs to feed them right now. But the problem with wolves, they will kill for sport as well as for food. So if we see them in our area at the lake it will be SSS method.