Bert Valery News Today

NEWLAND — Love was in the air this past week at Sweetwater Ranch, as two female elk were introduced to Bert Valery’s elk herd on Wednesday, Feb. 10, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The lucky male in this case was Braveheart, who previously was Sweetwater Ranch’s lone elk. Valery said that Braveheart was both surprised and happy to have some female company. The two new females of the herd come courtesy of Carolina Bison, who Valery says started their own elk herd with one m...

NEWLAND — The bellowing call of elk can once again be heard resonating over the hillsides in Newland. On Monday, Dec. 23, Bert Valery, owner of Sweetwater Ranch, introduced Braveheart, a three-year-old male elk, to the property with the intent of having the young elk be the first in what will eventually be a herd of elk. Valery purchased the 60-acre property, or what would become Sweetwater Ranch, in Newland last fall. The idea to begin the herd is the culmination of trips to Avery County ...