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Rocky Mountain National Park proposes culling elk

By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 11, 2007 at 1:14 p.m.
Updated December 11, 2007 at 1:14 p.m.

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Rocky Mountain National Park personnel could shoot 100 to 200 elk per year as part of an effort to reduce populations of the animals that have ravaged native vegetation in the park.

The proposal, unveiled this morning, is a significantly reworked version of an earlier draft plan that called for culling up to 700 elk a year to bring the population down far faster.

Under the park service's final proposal, managers will take a more gradual approach to reducing the impact of elk. In addition to sharpshooting, workers will install more fencing around willow and aspen stands and use "aversion" techniques, such as rubber bullets or loud noises, to keep elk away from certain areas.

Efforts to cull elk numbers will stretch across a 20-year period, as opposed to previous plans to reduce population much more quickly. That's in part because it appears elk numbers in the park are declining naturally. Elk are spending more time elsewhere, and wildlife officials have recorded successful hunting seasons outside the park boundaries.

It "will be a year-to-year decision as far as how much culling is needed," said park superintendent Vaughn Baker.

Park Service personnel would oversee culling operations, but the park may use "authorized agents" to assist, including people from other government agencies, private contractors and "qualified volunteers" selected and managed by park service officials.

Just who would participate in any culling activities has proven a major bone of contention, as some critics bristled at earlier perceptions that the Colorado Division of Wildlife or private hunters would be left out of the process.

Reacting to the uproar, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, and Sen. Wayne Allard, a Republican, introduced federal legislation that would allow the National Park Service to use licensed hunters as volunteers or contractors in the elk reduction effort.

Biologists estimate elk population in the park to range between 2,200 and 3,100. The proposal calls for reducing those numbers to a range of 1,600 to 2,100.

The final Environmental Impact Statement will be posted for public comment for 30 to 60 days before a final "record of decision" on the matter is issued early next year.

Comments

  • December 11, 2007

    3:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Why don't they heard them up and transport them to another part of the country which was once populated by elk, but have been without them for over 100 years, because they were hunted to extinction?

    I know elk used to roam across the plains, not just the Rockies. Here in Oklahoma, there used to be a substantial elk population. I would love for some of these elk to be brought down here to our vast wildlife refuges and released in a re-population effort. We have plenty of blue stem grass, which is high in nutrients.

    We have some of the highest population densities of white tail deer, in the country - in northeast Oklahoma. Proof that elk too can be successful once again in Oklahoma, known as Native America. If the population explodes, we have plenty of hunters which could help control the population. I am not a hunter, but instead am an environmentalist. I generally oppose hunting and am not proposing this to create a hunting game venue. I am proposing this to save these elk and help restore America's ecosystem to a Native American state. My people, the Cherokee Nation will find a place for your elk and take them in. Please do not shoot them.

    There are also tribes and land throughout Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas where more elk can be sent. It's time to restore Native America. Please do not destroy these animals.

    --Warren

    P.S.
    email me at warrengfunk7@netscape.net to explore option of relocation. I will find a way to implement such a plan.

  • December 11, 2007

    3:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    AKA: Shooting Star

  • December 11, 2007

    3:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JustSayin writes:

    Warren, this plan has been over 5 years in the making. Public meetings, detailed scientific research, alternative management options (including relocation) considered, comment periods, draft plans released, more comment periods, details and PLEAS for comments on NPS web sites.....where have you been?

    Your pie-in-the-sky optimism is laudable, but no one, no one, no one, wants a couple of hundred elk. Contact your local Division of Wildlife (whatever Okla.'s version is) and ask them, contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service - managers of the refuges you mention - and ask them. Contact the private land owners who will have their land overrun with elk as soon as they leave whatever refuge you think you have for them - and ask them. Kinda offering your 2 cents a bit late in the game here.......

  • December 11, 2007

    5:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    robmckenner writes:

    Just so you know there are wild elk herds in Oklahoma. I like your ideal of relocating elk to areas to increase the population or introduce the species, but it will not work here. There are two major reasons that this will not happen with theses elk. First the elk in the area around Rocky Mountain National park have tested positive for Chronic wasting disease. This reason alone would eliminate this heard for relocation. The other would be cost. Who would foot the bill? CDW is already short on funds and I do not see any other groups volunteering to pony up. Last, I find it shameful that the National Park services and CDW our going to pay some one to come out and shoot these animals. I have heard that the majority of the animals are going to be left where they fall. I understand nothing goes to waste in the wild, but this is a lost opportunity. This would be a golden opportunity for the agencies to at least pay for the program if not increase their income. They should have arranged a control supervised hunt. Controlled hunts have proven successful back east in metropolitan areas to control deer populations.

  • December 12, 2007

    10:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rjb3445 writes:

    I have hunted elk for 50 years in Colorado, but I agree with Warren. It is cynical and sadistic for the Federal Government to use snipers with night-vision scopes to shoot these animals and leave them lay. Relocation of elk is not a big deal, and is done all the time. Warren is correct. Elk historically roamed all of the Great Plains, and do very well there. As for chronic wasting disease, the Colorado Dept. of Wildlife reports that only about 1% of of deer and elk are infected. It is therefore doubtful that relocating these animals would pose a problem in Oklahoma or anywhere else.

  • December 12, 2007

    11:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    robmckenner writes:

    It is against the law to transport animals that have CWD. They would have to be test prior to shipping. I don't think there is a way to test the animals alive?

  • December 12, 2007

    7:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    spneese writes:

    Where do I sign up to volunteer?

    Of course, if they want to pay me, I am all for that too, but out of the kindness of my heart and with a genuine desire to serve, I am more than willing to volunteer. Heck, to show that my intentions are in the right place, I will even pay my own transportation to get out there. :-)

    As to qualifications, I have successfully hunted big game with rifle, slug gun, muzzleloader and bow. I have been through several hunter safety courses and I have qualified numerous times to hunt on federal property as part of the federal government's wild life management efforts. I served almost 22 years in the Marine Corps and have scored 50 out of 50 with an M-16 at 500 yards. If education is an issue, I have a MS in Computer Systems Management with a concentration in Applied Computer Systems.

    Bottom line, I am ready, willing, and able to help out. If those elk was to be problem children, I would be more than happy to keep them in line.

    Sincerely and somewhat facetiously, :-)

    Sherrill Philip Neese
    Millersville, MD
    spneese@verizon.net