The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge hosted the annual Elk Day event on Saturday Oct. 12.
The event’s name is a little misleading because there is so much more happening than just a hay ride through the Tule elk enclosures.
They have several different government agencies with educational displays including, the Cal Fire talking about fire safety and the dangers of wildfires, Fish and Game representatives whose responsibility is to protect the states resident wildlife, Game Wardens talking about gun safety and a display of the large equipment that is needed at the refuge.
There was also an archery range for people that wanted to learn how to safely use a bow and arrow. Visionary Arts had a display of duck stamps drawn by some junior artists and a place where they could people could draw their own.
There were several hay wagons pulled by tractors that took people on an hour tour through the Tule elk enclosures. The elk were a little leery about these strange vehicles so they stayed at a safe distance but we were able to see a few of the 30 some elk in the enclosure. Included in the activities for the day was a wildlife photography show that was open for all to attend and see some outstanding images of the birds and animals that reside at the refuge.
The relatively new and beautiful 16,000 square foot Visitors Center and park headquarters building is worth the visit. As you walk up to the Visitor’s Center, over a wooden footbridge, you will be greeted by a life-size statue of a tule elk. There is a large window in the back of the lobby that looks out onto the refuge’s elk enclosure. It has some beautiful displays that include examples of the refuge habitat including wetlands, uplands, woodlands, vernal pools and water courses. The wetlands are huge and world famous and part of the local community. It is important to celebrate and honor this wonderful area in our county. There is information about the flora and fauna that can be seen at the San Luis Complex. In addition to the visitor’s center there is a headquarters section that includes room for both the full and part-time staff.
The Tule Elk were a species almost lost. Prior to the mid-1800s, it was estimated that there were around 500,000 Tule Elk in California. By the late 1800s with human settlement, gold miners, cattle grazing on the same land, hunting and many acres into farming the elk lost habitat and the numbers dwindled to almost extinction. In 1974, the San Luis Refuge built a 780-acre enclosure with an initial 18 animals. As the San Luis herd grew in numbers elk were relocated throughout the state to help create new herds. Statewide the Tule Elk numbers are more than 4,000 animals, a true success story. At the San Luis Refuge there is a 5-mile auto tour route that circles the entire elk enclosure. A large male elk (bull) will weigh 400-500 pounds and a female (cow) will weigh 300-400 pounds. The males will have antlers but not the cows. (Do you know the difference between horns and antlers?) Life expectancy of an elk is about 12-15 years in the wild but in a protected environment like the elk habitat they can live up to 25 years.
The breeding season (rut) for elk begins around the end of July and last until November. The gestation period is about 8 months so the cows will give birth usually in April and May. A newborn calf will weigh 25 to 35 pounds
Maintaining a large refuge takes the help of many agencies and individuals.
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which encompasses 45,000 acres plus 90,000 acres of land under conservation easements. It is important that the grasslands are protected from invasive weeds and one of the best ways to do that is letting livestock, mostly cattle, graze and control the spread of the non-native grasses that, over time, would kill out the vernal pools. Grazing also enhances the habitat and reduces the wildfire threat. The shorter grass also provides nesting and denning spots for kit fox, ground squirrels, badgers and even some of the avian species enjoy the shorter grasses. It is clear that you get fewer native species in the ungrazed areas. The Los Banos refuge has an arrangement with several of the livestock producers that has worked out beautifully for both the refuge and the livestock producer.
If you have an opportunity it is well worth the visit to at least go to the visitors center and see the educational displays or take the 5-mile tour around the elk enclosure. If you have the time, take the longer tour around the refuge to the observation platforms and see the geese when they start flying in. The Sandhill Cranes are already arriving and if we get some stormy weather up north it will drive the geese down to their wintering grounds.
The address of the San Luis NWR Visitors Center is 7376 S. Wolfsen Road, Los Banos. Open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (209) 826-3508
Jim Cunningham and Flip Hassett are both retired, but they remain active in Merced County as community advocates, local history buffs and photographers.