In the Laramie Mountains too many elk and no easy fixes

[Rifleman86]

https://wyofile.com/in-the-laramie-mountains-too-many-elk-and-no-easy-fixes/

 

[MuleyFever]

And they just can’t think of a way to get hunters on that patchwork of private/public land. Also, maybe instead of just paying out damages they pay out for elk killed.

 

[Gutshot007]

Kinda sounds like Montana again. Although it sounds like they tried having a cow hunt, but must have spent more time babysitting hunters ? Wagon hound at 330,000 acres that's giant. Wow we saw a "SUPERHERD" today. I aint never seen a superherd before. Well geeze it's the size of Teton park . I'm sure others will chime in that know the in's and outs.

 

[dtrkyman]

Don't tell the hippies, wolves will be on the way!

 

[wytx]

Wolves are there already.
WG&F doesn't pay damages unless they allow hunting .
Same problem in an adjacent elk area too.

 

[Btaylor]

Wonder how many guard sheep game and fish could have bought that fella for 70k?

 

[Dirtbag]

Don't tell the hippies, wolves will be on the way!

the hippies are in the comment section proposing it already. They just can't seem to do the math that Wolves and cattle ranches don't exactly mix well either.

 

[Rifleman86]

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know all the intricacies of the situation these ranchers are in.

That said had I struck out on a Wyoming general tag this year I’d be happy to drive out and shoot a cow on a reduced price cow/calf tag to help these nice folks out, and I’d be willing to pay a reasonable trespass fee to do so.

I’m sure I’m not alone in that. With the increased demand on western hunting I can’t fathom they can’t find willing hunters. Either someone isn’t being forthright in their true intentions behind the “problem” or they just aren’t willing to do what is required to solve it. Maybe both.

Either way to me, as an outsider, something stinks.

 

[jmez]

Horn porn and $$$. Same as MT.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

 

[Ucsdryder]

At least we know how to answer “coming west for my first elk hunt…appreciate any input…not looking for a 350” bull or your honey hole…”

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My family enjoys elk meat so much, I'd gladly pay full price for a cow tag and "reasonable" trespass fee.

 

[Rifleman86]

In many ways we have the same “problem” out east.

Farmers complain about too many deer, damaging their crops and so forth. Then you go try and knock on their door for hunting permission and the answer is always no, my uncles brothers cousin has permission, it’s leased, or some other excuse.

Then (and here is the worst part) in many cases the ODNR will issue damage permits to the farmers allowing them to shoot any number of deer out of season, by any means.

I get it, big bucks are worth big money, but if it was really such a problem, why not allow doe only hunting to the public, or even better charge a small trespass fee per day?

Many of us, myself included feel the real trophy is the meat. Sure, I like a nice wall hanger as much as anyone, but hunting is hunting, and I just want to see more opportunities to do it more places, even if it means antlers aren’t an option.

Again, somewhere here there is a disconnect due to greed and poor public policy on the part of game agencies.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

In many ways we have the same “problem” out east.

Farmers complain about too many deer, damaging their crops and so forth. Then you go try and knock on their door for hunting permission and the answer is always no, my uncles brothers cousin has permission, it’s leased, or some other excuse.

Then (and here is the worst part) in many cases the ODNR will issue damage permits to the farmers allowing them to shoot any number of deer out of season, by any means.

I get it, big bucks are worth big money, but if it was really such a problem, why not allow doe only hunting to the public, or even better charge a small trespass fee per day?

Many of us, myself included feel the real trophy is the meat. Sure, I like a nice wall hanger as much as anyone, but hunting is hunting, and I just want to see more opportunities to do it more places, even if it means antlers aren’t an option.

Again, somewhere here there is a disconnect due to greed and poor public policy on the part of game agencies.

Agree on all points, and don't forget the money being made by social media influencers and traditional hunting personalities. The growth of the industry and the "horn porn" constantly pushed and marketed continues to drive demand for bucks, land, etc...

For the private land owners that are being issued predation permits determined by ODNR (and IADNR), maybe they should have to fill x% of them every season to continue to be eligible?

 

[HvyBeams]

The groundwork is being laid for transferable landowner tags. $$$

 

[Ucsdryder]

In many ways we have the same “problem” out east.

Farmers complain about too many deer, damaging their crops and so forth. Then you go try and knock on their door for hunting permission and the answer is always no, my uncles brothers cousin has permission, it’s leased, or some other excuse.

Then (and here is the worst part) in many cases the ODNR will issue damage permits to the farmers allowing them to shoot any number of deer out of season, by any means.

I get it, big bucks are worth big money, but if it was really such a problem, why not allow doe only hunting to the public, or even better charge a small trespass fee per day?

Many of us, myself included feel the real trophy is the meat. Sure, I like a nice wall hanger as much as anyone, but hunting is hunting, and I just want to see more opportunities to do it more places, even if it means antlers aren’t an option.

Again, somewhere here there is a disconnect due to greed and poor public policy on the part of game agencies.

Pretty much agree. Why aren’t they all on public most of the hunting seasons? It’s called the BOOM stick. You want to get the herd to move? Start shooting them. They’ll relocate. Pretty simple…set up a ranching for wildlife type program, kick some money to the landowner, allow joe public to draw cow tags. Done!

 

[Rifleman86]

Agree on all points, and don't forget the money being made by social media influencers and traditional hunting personalities. The growth of the industry and the "horn porn" constantly pushed and marketed continues to drive demand for bucks, land, etc...

For the private land owners that are being issued predation permits determined by ODNR (and IADNR), maybe they should have to fill x% of them every season to continue to be eligible?

You should only get depredation tags if you are already participating in an ODNR (or applicable F&G agency) public access program and still have a deer/elk damage problem.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Pretty much agree. Why aren’t they all on public most of the hunting seasons? It’s called the BOOM stick. You want to get the herd to move? Start shooting them. They’ll relocate. Pretty simple…set up a ranching for wildlife type program, kick some money to the landowner, allow joe public to draw cow tags. Done!

The smart ones will relocate the dumb ones end up in the freezer...it really is that simple.

 

[Gutshot007]

The groundwork is being laid for transferable landowner tags. $$$

Yep

 

[Ucsdryder]

The smart ones will relocate the dumb ones end up in the freezer...it really is that simple.

But we’re all smart enough to know this has NOTHING to do with elk numbers, feed, or fences…

 

[Gutshot007]

Wow , have any states ( particularly western states) ever started a "hunter walk in" program or whatever cool name you wanna come up with (PLOTS,FARTS etc). Box on a fencepost. Sign in , get tag,schedule day etc. Landowner gets cash/hunter. His alfalfa fields grow/fences intact. State dnr happy growing a third arm to pat themselves on the back for new program. Hunters happy with freezer full of meat. Another self made problem. Oh gosh ,we can only solve unless I get a pile of tags for my private elk herd ! Hunter access programs are all over and not a new concept.