American elk were once the most widely populated member of the deer family in North America. Hunting took its toll as pioneers moved west and elk began to disappear until only small herds were left in the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Rocky Mountain elk from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, were introduced to Wind Cave National Park in 1914. Wildlife photographer Dan Alfson shared these photos of elk in the National Park. View more of his photos on the Alfson Photography Facebook page.
