2 eastern Kentucky state parks offering elk viewing tours

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Visitors to two state parks in eastern Kentucky can participate in elk viewing tours beginning this month and continuing into March.

The Kentucky Parks Department said in a news release that the tours offer rare opportunities for the public to see the greatest number of elk. The largest elk herds are on privately owned lands that are normally closed to the public.

Elk were returned to the state about 20 years ago after being gone for 150 years. They now number around 10,000.

The tours begin Saturday at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in Buckhorn and on Sept. 17 at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg. Prices for the tours vary.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.