Native Elk - Increased Crop Damage

[Practical Approach]

http://www.goskagit.com/all_access/herds-of-trouble/article_9b37c4fb-67e0-5205-811e-d5d1b00ab368.html


There is a growing concern for elk damage in the Skagit Valley.  As the population rebuilds in the core areas of the historical habitat, elk naturally spill over into the Skagit Valley.  Historically, elk have ranged in this area and the Valley was once a wintering area for elk and to some extent still is during harsh winters.  However, there are now resident elk that probably don't migrate in and out of the Valley.  How, do you increase what was a depressed population while managing for elk damage.  Any ideas. 

[Dhoey07]

Farmers should take ownership of their lands period, exclamation point, exclamation point

[BIGINNER]

farmers need to keep wolves on their property 

[Boss .300 winmag]

1000 elk, I think they under estimated the whole Nooksak herd size myself.

It is a daily gauntlet driving HWY 20, I cant count the near misses I have had.

They need to start culling the valley dewelling herd down a bit, seeing up to 150+ elk year around down low is crazy. 

Master hunter program along with draw tags just isn't cutting it! 

[Tbar]

It's an interesting one to say the least. When there was a general muzzleloader season it kept them somewhat contained, if you were to move the border a little north it may help. A well defined border and enforcement would be a big issue with this idea.
The #of mini farms and cultivated land in the river bottom has also experienced a boom. Combine this with the fact that sierra Pacific has a largely monoculture tree farm (not criticizing ). The grass is greener on the other side so to speak.
Now to the more controversial side of things, the archers and master Hunters.  When it switched from muzzy to archery you lose most if the effectiveness. Although I don't question the effectiveness of an archer or his equipment,i think a seal bomb has a greater hazing effect and the overall kill #s were not substantial.
 The master hunter program is ineffective to say the least. I think it's the worst approach that the wdfw has taken. It's a joke when you consider all the paperwork and man hours put into such a limited pool of Hunters. The elk will be in the "killing fields" sometimes days before there is the coordination to get one on the ground. I also question the timing of when the majority of their harvest occurs. I know the muzzy season ran late but harvest was more spread out during a long season. I could go on and on.

[50CalJim]

Looks like their gonna give out 20 Cow Tags in the 4941 area which probably means the Indians will also get 20 tags also. If everybody behaves themselves  maybe they will give out more in the future who knows. But personally I think with it being pretty much all private its gonna turn into another Cluster@$&#.

[jackmaster]

yeah transplant them to the saint helens area after they kill all the elk with hoof rot, no point in just killn them or open up alot of youth tags for that area 

[h2ofowlr]

Corall those that go onto the farm land and load them into a trailer and locate them north east of Mt. Baker or down towards Duvall, etc.  They could start a heard north of Winthrop as well instead of shooting them all. 

[CP]

Here's the problem:

Yummy thick green grass in the valley vs brown, dry mountains filled with bears and cougars:

[Special T]

I think its an issue of differing opinions. In that area you have some people that Are pro hunting and either will allow permission, or you have those that view them as thier pets and want no harm done. Many hobby farm owners do not see the cause and effect of allowing, or not, hunting. I  Like h2ofowler's idea of capturing and moving some to start an new area with some herds.

[50CalJim]

Like it or not the Tribes pretty much controls what goes on with this Herd. They want to increase the Nooksack Herd to about 1,900 or so. I don't see any kind of relocation happening besides no money in the budget.

[Gringo31]

If it is a tribe issue, then there is little you or I will do to change it.

I would like to know what this means...

Farmers should take ownership of their lands period, exclamation point, exclamation point

[Tbar]

Looks like their gonna give out 20 Cow Tags in the 4941 area which probably means the Indians will also get 20 tags also. If everybody behaves themselves  maybe they will give out more in the future who knows. But personally I think with it being pretty much all private its gonna turn into another Cluster@$&#.

Would this not conflict the wdfw's stance. Would it not fall under their jurisdiction and be a violation of Chambers.

[Dhoey07]

If it is a tribe issue, then there is little you or I will do to change it.

I would like to know what this means...

Farmers should take ownership of their lands period, exclamation point, exclamation point

I guess that there is 2 ways to look at it.  Does the state want to use private property for elk wintering grounds and compensate the farmer for their land use, or is the state just paying for crop damage due to the land being over it's carrying capacity?  I agree with the first but not the 2nd. 

[Tbar]

 

Corall those that go onto the farm land and load them into a trailer and locate them north east of Mt. Baker or down towards Duvall, etc.  They could start a heard north of Winthrop as well instead of shooting them all. 

This sounds good in theory but if you have ever been involved in a relocation or even an augmentation you would realize that this is probably not a viable option. (especially at this time).
I can see where the farmer is coming from when he says it's a private hunting club, but there aren't too many options when you are dealing with 100%private land. A large scale kill would be a temporary fix at best, same with a move.