Banff park Elk cull eyed

[Tuc]

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...13c807&k=28382

[Reeves1]

Hey Thumper, bag me a couple , OK ?

[elko_blues]

they should open a general bow zone for elk around the town that would thin out the heard....lol

[thumper]

Banff Park is in a 'no win' situation with their elk.

There's a large constituency that can't bare to see any killed, and want them sterilized with drugs to prevent overpopulation.
(expensive, and forcing birth control drugs on wild animals isn't exactly letting nature take it's course)

Then there's those that want them live-trapped and 'relocated'.
(expensive and viewed as cruel by many. Many of these semi-tame elk don't stand a chance when relocated to face free-ranging wolves, cougars and subsistence hunters, and some immediately seek out human landscapes like schoolyards - ends up to just transplanting the problem)

Then there's those that say "Just shoot them!"
(cheap, effective, but politically incorrect)

And then there's those that just want them left alone
(presumably to multiply to the point of starvation, while eating many other species out of their natural habitat by over-grazing)

Even just chasing them to outside of the town boundaries isn't the best solution - they're real tough on the surrounding montane valley floor ecosystem and tend to attract a concentration of predators. A concentration of cougars are particularly worrisome.

Don't know what the solution is - but I can tell you the herd on the golf course behind my house in Canmore are getting pretty intolerant of people!

[Jamie]

I thought I had read that they were going to try and push them into a fence type sittuation and let the Cougars have at them....

Imagine that.. Serving up dinner on a plate to predators...
OH BOY.....
Well next X-Country skier that gets chewed on only has the political views of today to blame..
Its just a matter of time before we see another human get killed.

Jamie

[Swamp_Donkey]

I'll let the Gov't put 20-30 on my land

[MuleyMonster]

Should do a limited draw lottery for them, lol, much like the goat draw. I know I would apply

[uglyelk]

These guys?

http://download.yousendit.com/A7CA4FAB5BA82C2B

Figure residents should just get their hunting rights back. When they made the area a park hunting was okay.

Somewhere along the line someone shafted us and took away our rights to hunt trap and farm. Don't recall anyone getting a cheque in the mail or agreeing to it.

When they started this park stuff it was 15 sq k's. Then some peckerwood in Ottawa expanded it and it's like 20,000 sq k's now.

Not sure when we became 2nd class citizens, but I figure we should get first crack at the Queens Cattle. My son's been putting up with urban elk his whole life. Even had one stomp him when he was a wee lad. He wants some payback! So do I.

Nice Bulls!

That's a lot of meat that could be put to good use. I hope they make a sensible decision.

Here is a thought. If they did open up a few tags for hunters, would the bulls taken from in the park and town still qualify under the terms of fair chase, and therefore be entered in the record books?

Technically, I would think so, but morally? After all, they are basically town residents, and you wouldn't really be hunting them. You would just go get one?

[nicholal]

Originally Posted by Hoochie Papa

That's a lot of meat that could be put to good use. I hope they make a sensible decision.

Here is a thought. If they did open up a few tags for hunters, would the bulls taken from in the park and town still qualify under the terms of fair chase, and therefore be entered in the record books?

Technically, I would think so, but morally? After all, they are basically town residents, and you wouldn't really be hunting them. You would just go get one?

Maybe we could even herd him to the back of the truck prior to releasing the arrow

I think the transplant idea is a good one. Move them to an area where elk are already........new genes into the herd!!.as well start new herds where there are none.

AL

Hate to crush some of your dreams but there is no way hunting will happen in the park. Legislation forbids it. Would be nice if they'd chase them out opening day (Do that in Waterton as well). That won't happen either though, hunting not really considered a viable management strategy by parks Canada.

[Donny Bear]

Originally Posted by Swamp_Donkey

I'll let the Gov't put 20-30 on my land

For sure the best answer is to relocate them were I can get a tag
hope you give permission SD