Wyoming Rep. John Winter suggested commissioning a helicopter crew to gun down overpopulated elk herds

[fmyth]

Inflated elk herds spur committee duel and radical proposals

FROM WYOFILE:

newslj.com

 

[Geewhiz]

Excuse my ignorance, but why could they not just choose to make more tags available to hunters to harvest them in a reasonable manner? Or is it an issue of landowners not allowing access so all of the elk flock to private during seasons?

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

Need that for overpopulated people

 

[Geewhiz]

Need that for overpopulated people

You're going to hurt someone's feelings

 

[RyanT26]

Excuse my ignorance, but why could they not just choose to make more tags available to hunters to harvest them in a reasonable manner? Or is it an issue of landowners not allowing access so all of the elk flock to private during seasons?

I think it’s more ranchers not allowing people on.

 

[Geewhiz]

I think it’s more ranchers not allowing people on.

Thats really too bad then if this is what it's coming to.

 

[fmyth]

Excuse my ignorance, but why could they not just choose to make more tags available to hunters to harvest them in a reasonable manner? Or is it an issue of landowners not allowing access so all of the elk flock to private during seasons?

I'd buy a full price cow tag for a special hunt.

 

[Geewhiz]

I'd buy a full price cow tag for a special hunt.

No kidding. And I'm sure you're not alone.

 

[Bwblodg]

Wow that’s crazy,

 

[Overdrive]

Is he the same representative that suggested just leaving the dead Elk for the coyotes to eat? Some real idiots running Wyoming these days.

 

[HornPorn]

You're going to hurt someone's feelings

Someone might need to file a hurt feelings report. Google image that....

Farmers could cash in on this, but I guess they dont want to have to deal with the public or the liability....

 

[svivian]

Lmao can we bring BuzzH back for this thread

 

[isItFallYet]

Corral those suckers up and truck them to public. Make it a Yellowstone episode!

 

[Rifleman86]

Lmao can we bring BuzzH back for this thread

We don’t need to, we can all just assume he thinks it’s our fault and save the time and energy.

 

[Brooks]

Lmao can we bring BuzzH back for this thread

NO !

 

[Laramie]

Lmao can we bring BuzzH back for this thread

He had a couple pretty solid ideas regarding this situation but in the end the only way it is fixed is to find ways to open up more of the private land. Better landowner incentives are needed. Most of the landowners there make more money from the guided hunt leases than they would by turning their ranch into a late season HMA. If the state could offer more money, many of the landowners would gladly go that route. Still, there would be some who have been soured by the average joe leaving gates open, leaving trash, and causing damage so not all land would open even with more money.

 

[EdP]

He had a couple pretty solid ideas regarding this situation but in the end the only way it is fixed is to find ways to open up more of the private land. Better landowner incentives are needed. Most of the landowners there make more money from the guided hunt leases than they would by turning their ranch into a late season HMA. If the state could offer more money, many of the landowners would gladly go that route. Still, there would be some who have been soured by the average joe leaving gates open, leaving trash, and causing damage so not all land would open even with more money.

I think this is spot on. Wy law requires that ranchers get compensated for damages incurred due to the elk (forage intended for cattle eaten by elk). IMO, the ranchers constantly complain about the damages, not because they want the elk off their property, but to ensure the compensation continues. A rancher leasing to an outfitter can be a very good deal for both. The outfitter has the responsibility to make sure the property isn't trashed, gates left open, etc., the rancher gets paid, and the outfitter can provide a better hunt than on public. Allowing uncontrolled public access creates a ton of potential problems for the rancher.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I think this is spot on. Wy law requires that ranchers get compensated for damages incurred due to the elk (forage intended for cattle eaten by elk). IMO, the ranchers constantly complain about the damages, not because they want the elk off their property, but to ensure the compensation continues. A rancher leasing to an outfitter can be a very good deal for both. The outfitter has the responsibility to make sure the property isn't trashed, gates left open, etc., the rancher gets paid, and the outfitter can provide a better hunt than on public. Allowing uncontrolled public access creates a ton of potential problems for the rancher.

Cut the compensation for "Elk damages" and most will probably be happy to allow hunters on the property to kill them. It's silly that any state pays for wild animal traffic. I have opossums that eat my cat food, where do I send the bill?

 

[venado mula]

This is the disclose of the beef industry. I believe they should allow a quota of OTC first come first serve hunters to access and harvest the elk on their private ranches in turn for the public hunter exploitation the BLM and Forest Service provides to cattle ranchers grazing on public land.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Politicians are so out of their league in comprehending anything of value. So make the taxpayers pay millions to cull elk instead of selling tags for people to feed their families and also put money into the system.
So very reasonable.
Reminds me of when they are planning to poison a body of water and they double the limit you can keep instead of just removing all regulations and letting the water be fished out. Sheer stupidity.