Udall supports private elk hunt

Feds are leery of plan to cull herd in national park

Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 20, 2007 at midnight

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A Colorado congressman wants the state's Division of Wildlife and its licensed hunters to help reduce the bulging elk herd in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rep. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, has introduced a bill designed to clear up legal questions over whether the National Park Service can allow the participation of private hunters in a proposal to reduce the park's elk population.

The bill comes amid fierce debate on the issue. Park service officials, citing safety of the park's three million annual visitors, have proposed a tightly controlled culling program, run by park service personnel. They have also argued federal law prevents such a public hunt in the park.

But Colorado wildlife commissioners say licensed hunters - supervised by the state Division of Wildlife - could do the job effectively and far more cheaply than the $16 to $18 million initially proposed by the park service.

Udall agrees, and said using the "expertise" of Colorado hunters would save taxpayer dollars. He said the bill would maintain the park service's authority to carefully supervise such a program.

"This bill does not declare open season Elmer Fudd style in Rocky Mountain National Park," Udall said in a statement. "It makes sure the Park Service has the authority to allow qualified Colorado sportsmen and sportswomen to participate under strict guidelines."

Few disagree that elk population in and around the park needs to be controlled, as the animals are overgrazing important vegetation, pouring into neighboring Estes Park and moving as far east as Loveland in the winter.

But not everyone believes a project to cull the elk herd should be left to private hunters. Park service officials are leery about public reaction to such a move, as the elk remain a major draw for visitors.

Some environmentalists argue the elk problem shows the need for wolf reintroduction. The predators would not only reduce numbers, but would keep elk on the move, preventing them from loitering and degrading aspen and willow stands.

Some worry that changing federal protections to the park could set a damaging precedent: "Making exemptions in national parks sets terrible precedent. Next someone will want to exempt cyanide heap-leach gold mines. Where's the limit?" said Wendy Keefover-Ring, of Sinapu, a Boulder-based conservation group.

hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048

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