Elk Tracks are intermediate in size between deer and cattle. Toe Pad Marks on Hind Feet two-toed hoof.
Line
drawing Credits: Prevention and Control Handbook-Elk
Damage
Elk can damage seedlings and saplings of coniferous and
deciduous trees, agricultural crops, winter wheat fields, hay and
alfalfa, and fences.
Tree Damage In seedling trees, bark may be stripped from the
upper half of the growing tips; elk browsing results in ragged twig
edges; winter and late spring damage to twigs of orchard trees.
Agricultural
Damage haystack damage usually occurs in winter
Deer and elk browse Description: Plant ends look ragged or torn by
deer and elk rather than cleanly clipped as in rabbit browsing.
Solution
Habitat Modification
Elk can be excluded by strong, high fences or by plastic or
wooden wraps around
haystack. See image below.
excluded from growing tree tips by bud caps.
planting of larger trees; planned grazing systems on pastures;
harvesting of timber blocks of 100 to 200 acres increases
seedling survival on other sites
individual plants should have wire mesh or commercial plastic
cylinders at least six feet in height; bud caps can protect tree
seedling tips; 6-ft 5-wire electric fence design by Penn State U.
Repellents
exploders
certain commercial formulations of fermented eggs, like Big Game
Repellent and Deer-Away, and capsaicin show some temporary success.
Shooting
Depredation permits may be
issued to individual land owners;
Antlerless elk permits may be issued to hunters to reduce local
populations.
drawing Credits: Prevention and Control Handbook-Elk 
haystack. See image below.