Visits to the Elk-man
Since Joe Neuhold began feeding the elk many visitors have dropped by on a regular basis to take in all there is to see and hear, for Joe has lots to say about his beloved elk. Newspaper reporters such as Barry Hendry of The Bancroft Times, magazine writers and television producers have all made their way to visit the Elk-man. Rolly Ethier, a reporter with The Campbellford Courier, referred to Neuhold as “a real life Dr. Doolittle”, a gentle and knowledgeable man who not only talks to the elk but feeds them during the winter months. Ethier was amazed to learn that Neuhold had names for many of the 33 plus animals in what has become known as the Hartsmere herd located near MacArthur’s Mills, east of the town of Bancroft off Highway #28 east. Neuhold said that while feeding the elk he whispers to them in Austrian reassuringly. “Do they actually understand you?” asked Ethier. “Because I didn’t realize these elk were Austrian.”
In 2002, Joe began the transition of moving from the Chalet that he and his wife Edith had built in the early 70’s. “The top was a Viceroy,” said Joe. “I wanted to create an Austrian chalet design and only needed the top.” And once the people at Viceroy saw what Joe had in mind they loved the idea. In 2004, Joe put the chalet on the market and was planning to move to the two-bedroom cottage, a former hunt camp, owned by German industrialist Klaus Reimold where Joe could stay, no charge, for as long as he lived. Joe, in return, would continue to oversee the 2000 acres and naturally continue to feed the elk and the deer. Because there was some concern about the deer and elk being together Joe had already begun feeding them at two distinct locations, both remote and removed from the road as safety is also a concern. Sadly, as their 50th wedding anniversary approached, Doctors discovered that Edith was battling cancer. It proved to be a short losing battle and soon Joe moved to the cottage and sold the chalet.
When Richard Brennan of the Toronto Star visited the Elk-man, Dr. Rosatte, perhaps with a sense of humility, told Brennan that “he (Joe) probably knows more about elk than I do.” Ironically some hunters at first were worried that the elk would drive the deer out of the area but at least one study has apparently shown that the two species for the most part eat differently.
In May 2005, reporter Mark McAllister of Global television paid a visit to the Elk-man and broadcast their feature during the evening news program on June 23. Some discussion concerned the development of elk ecotourism.
“I think it will fly,” said Rick Rosatte. He explained that Benezette, Pennsylvania grosses about $1 million a from its elk viewing program. “The people just flock from miles around to take photos of the elk.”
Each year the Quinte Elk Restoration Committee organizes a popular one day bus tour in late February to see the elk. Since the beginning the tour now involves two buses. Initially, the organizers provided a bar-b-que but February weather being what it can be they now they stop in Bancroft for a meal.
