(Undated) -- A bull elk seen multiple times in Iowa City this week, is believed to be one of three currently in the state of Iowa. Deer Biologist Jace Elliott of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the elk seen in Iowa City has very distinctive, large straight antlers so they believe it's the same elk that was seen in Johnson and Linn counties last year. Elliott says last year a dozen elk were reported in the state. He says one of those was in Dallas County, west of Des Moines. He says it's believed that elk is currently in Madison County.
Elliott says the male elk are on the move right now, seeking female elk, noting the elk rut occurs before that of white tail deer. He notes elk can be found in all states surrounding Iowa, except for Illinois.