https://omaha.com/news/state-and-re...cle_38189ee4-f33b-11ec-bec0-634b3e597c09.html
This article is as good of perspective as any I have seen penned on the situation.
Emotion and controversy packed issue for sure. I have hunted elk in 6 western states. The circumstances in these few Nebraska counties feels different to any that I have heard/read/experienced before.
I have listened to a lot of talk and felt both sides of the issue for several years. I am very close to Nebraska landowners and land managers who have experienced first hand crop depredation from elk. Truly causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income. I have heard the emotions coming directly out of the public meetings.
As a Nebraska resident hunter I think I have applied for an elk tag since the first year they were available (1986), never have yet drawn my OIL bull tag. Blessed to hunt on ground that has elk though. Crazy exciting to find huge sheds while sneaking muledeer, or have a 350+ bull walk right under your stand while whitetail hunting. Like all resident hunters I sure would like put a tag in my pocket, but mostly I just like being around elk and I want them in my state.
As stated in the above article there are only a small number of animals in the problem area, "25 to 30". However, when tags had been issued for the regular hunting seasons during previous years, very few animals were(reportedly) harvested from the problem area. Not sure how successful this July "hunt" will be. I have been asked to participate, but I am not sure I want to.
In the end, I hope the depredation hunt meets the prescribed goals for the landowners sake. However, I hope that success does not boil over into other areas of the state, resulting in further eradication areas in coming years.
I am torn and you can probably point your "Not in my backyard" finger at me.
Complex issue with a lot of uncertain reprocussions.
