what good is feeding elk?

[SuperX]

Every winter we feed the elk around Yakima, so why did we lose so many elk in 2016 due to a 'hard winter'? I don't see the sense in paying for a solution that fails that hard due to one hard winter.

Maybe it's time to stop feeding elk since it obviously doesn't help the way we are doing it.  I suspect we would have been worse off without feeding, but with years of decline after only one winter, maybe we need feed more and feed higher up the mountain?

I'm starting to think WDFW winter feeding in this area is mainly a PR move.

[WSU]

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.

[Rainier10]

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.

I think this has more to do with it than starving elk.  If they don't feed them they will find food elsewhere and that is where the real issue is in my mind.  Farmers need that traditional range for their crops and don't want the elk trashing the crops.

[boneaddict]

Reduce conflict, PR move. 

[Sandberm]

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.

[92xj]

Does anyone know where to find the number of elk killed by the wdfw tags given to the farmers that claim crop damage during the winter?
I know the cowiche farmers had a nice slaughter a few years back when the elk took a different turn and ended up in the farms and not the feed lots.
Just curious on the actual amount killed each winter.

[boneaddict]

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.

Yeah, this year not a bale as of yet as far as I know.   

[boneaddict]

they are pretty up front with it...

from the WDFW website....

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.

[nwwanderer]

You probably need a FIA request to get the tag numbers.  Even then I doubt if it would be accurate.  SE, NW, NE, central, tribal, and random.  Lots of elk issues out there.

[SuperX]

interesting point about protecting farmers... so who PAYS for feeding and fence?  I am guessing we do?

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea move them out of the orchards so the privileged can get a good look at the ones with larger horns to harvest

[greenhead_killer]

I had heard something like 330 were killed by damage tags around Yakima/selah last winter

[SuperX]

in MN where I was raised, we fed the deer to help them survive hard winters.  Not every winter, just the unusually hard ones.  Seems logical that we could have done that in 2016. I would like to see WA do that in the future. 

Maybe if they charged us to personally drag hay bales into the woods, they would be more open to focusing some effort on growing the herd.

[Stein]

interesting 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.

[SuperX]

interesting 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.

Only a bargain if it works.  It doesn't seem to be