Elk became extinct in this area through over hunting, natural mortality and the shrinkage of suitable grazing land. In 1981, the game and Fish commission, with private citizens and the National Park Service, began an elk restoration project for the Ozark Mountains. Between 1981 and 1985, 112 elk from Colorado and Nebraska were released at five sites on or adjacent to the Buffalo National River, where grassy meadows provide an ideal habitat for the elk. Since that time, the herd has grown to approximately 450 and are found all along the Upper Buffalo River, and on private lands. Because of this successful restoration, the Governor proclaimed Newton County the “Elk Capital of Arkansas” in 1998.

Seeing and photographing these  magnificent animals is a memorable experience. The easiest spots are the field just below the Ponca bridge at the junction of Highways 74 and 43, and the area around Carver, especially the fields by the low water bridge across Big Creek just to the south of Carver, off Highway 123.