Where to find wild elk?

[Shoom]

I'm 530 hours into my world and I still haven't seen any wild elk, plenty of moose, deer, goats of all kinds but no elk.

Are elk spawns tied to world generation or how do they work? Is there a specific climate they prefer?

The chunks around my house were generated in 1.19.8, I've explored a bit in newer chunks as well but with no luck.

[LadyWYT]

1 minute ago, Shoom said:

Is there a specific climate they prefer?

You'll want to be looking in taiga areas for them, as they prefer cooler climates. So searching the cool climate zones is a good place to start. They can spawn in the temperate zones as well, though on high altitude plateaus(typically grassland or sparse forest) where it's cool enough for a suitable habitat. Those would be the prime spots to look.

That being said, I wouldn't necessarily call them a common spawn, as I've only seen them in the wild a handful of times. It's probably easier to find them, than it is to find a baby one that you can actually capture and tame, since I'm not sure that deer can be bred like normal livestock species can be. Unless you're playing Homo Sapiens, or otherwise just really wanting to catch and raise your own, it's much easier to purchase a tamed adult elk from your local treasure hunter.

[Shoom]

5 minutes ago, LadyWYT said:

You'll want to be looking in taiga areas for them, as they prefer cooler climates. So searching the cool climate zones is a good place to start. They can spawn in the temperate zones as well, though on high altitude plateaus(typically grassland or sparse forest) where it's cool enough for a suitable habitat. Those would be the prime spots to look.

Ah, that likely explains why I haven't seen any, my house is about 15k blocks south of the world center in a area with higher than average ambient temperature. I'm aware that you can buy them from traders but I spent all my gears on wallpaper and I'm saving the storyline for when a friend of mine can join me so it's either 100 gears or taming a wild one for me.

I will try exploring a bit up north, if I have any luck I'll drop back in with an update. Thanks a lot! 

[Maelstrom]

100 gears isn't too hard.   Gotta know the right trades.   cracked vessels from the Treasure Hunter sells to the Commodities trader, wolf pups in reverse.  If you get cinnabar reindeer herder's garb sells for a pretty penny as well (Artisan traders iirc.)   Check the handbook for who buys and sells what.

[LadyWYT]

It's also worth noting that you can get a 50% discount on your first elk, assuming you bring the trader the correct item. Elks can also carry two seraphs at a time, so unless you both want your own mounts, you only need to buy one.