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I’m sure a lot of it is a PR move. It’s easier to feed them than to deal with them invading their former winter range, which is how orchards, farms, and houses.
Yep, keep them out of the orchards.Does anybody know how many tons per day the elk at the Oak Creek are fed at the height of snow and cold? Some years they do not feed any hay correct? Just depends on the winter.
For example, at WDFW's Oak Creek, L.T. Murray and Wenas wildlife areas in south-central Washington, elk and bighorn sheep are fed throughout the winter. In concert with extensive fencing, the feeding program helps keep elk and bighorn sheep off adjacent private property where they may cause damage or contract diseases from domestic animals. A side benefit of this traditional feeding program is a public wildlife-viewing opportunity.
interesting point about protecting farmers... so who PAYS for feeding and fence? I am guessing we do?
Quote from: SuperX on January 30, 2019, 09:55:03 AMinteresting point about protecting farmers... so who PAYS for feeding and fence? I am guessing we do?The option is to feed them which keep more alive and out of the orchard, or not feed them and more will die and get into crops where they have to be removed. It sounds like a decent bargain to me. There are bargains like this all over the west, the state comes in and makes it easier for the local farmers to live with a lot more big game animals.
What would happen if the state stopped feeding them? Seems that it would be 100% chance of having less elk.
Yeah, but mule deer are worthless. Hopefully the whitetails will finally take over the mule deer range and they can live peacefully with the elk like they do in the NE and blues.The state is acting like they want the mule deer gone, right?
I don't know if it is still in place but Northwest Alloys used to sell WDFW up to 1100 tons a year for $1.The feeding areas also feed sheep.
the elk feed stations will turn into the wolf feed stations....
There was a big cat working the sheep feeding station a couple years ago.