To the Editor:

The article last week (“Elk herd surpasses the 100 benchmark”) provided your readers with some great information about the elk herd, and for that I thank you.

However, I do wish you would have used a more appropriate photograph for the article, like one of the magnificent bulls. The photograph with your article would have been fine if the article was about informing visitors on how not to behave around the elk.

As a member of the Elk Bugle Corps in Cataloochee Valley, I can tell you that one of our primary missions is to promote “Responsible Wildlife Viewing.” This means not approaching wildlife (elk, bear, deer, etc.) within 50 yards or 150 feet (that’s half a football field, sports fans). I can also tell you that this is one of our biggest challenges.

We need all the help we can get to protect and preserve the wildlife and to ensure that our visitors to the valley have a positive experience at the same time.

Esther Blakely

Waynesville