Elk hunt draws opposition in Harrison Ford neighborhood

[Hangar18]

So what happens when private lands encroach on habitat, if that is the case here? Is there a one-fits-all solution or is it better done on a case by case basis? FYI - Teton County Wyoming is about 97% public land and this section of land has always been in private hands as far as I know. My folks also live there, not in South Park but at the foot of Teton Pass, and would take basically the same position as Mr. Ford has as far as allowing others to hunt on their land. They would not hesitate to allow friends to hunt there if there was a problem with herd size.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/10/26/news/wyoming/c99e2c0386fa782687256f38006ff132.txt

Elk hunt draws opposition in Harrison Ford neighborhood

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

JACKSON (AP) -- A hunt aimed at thinning an elk herd that often summers around actor Harrison Ford's ranch is drawing criticism from some residents.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has asked landowners in 3 Creek Ranch, a new golf course and housing development near Ford's property in South Park, to allow hunting on their land as part of a plan to thin the herd.

"The problem is that a lot of landowners don't allow permission to hunt," Game and Fish spokesman Mark Gocke said. "That's why this particular herd segment has grown so much."

Gocke called the 3 Creek hunt "really valuable to us in managing that elk herd."

Elk living along the Snake River bottoms belong to the larger Fall Creek Herd, which numbers about 5,100 and exceeds the state's population objective of 4,400 animals.

Landowners in the area agree the number of elk has more than doubled since the 1980s to about 300. But many property owners don't want the elk to be shot.

Ford, one of the largest landowners in the area, has created a private elk refuge of sorts with elk summering on his property.

"(Ford) doesn't want any hunting to take place on his property," said John Kelly, who manages the ranch for the actor. "He told me that if I caught anyone to turn them in."

Kelly put up signs warning would-be hunters along the border between 3 Creek and the Ford property, he said.

Another 3 Creek neighbor, Kirby Williams, sees both sides.

"I support thinning the herd out. It's definitely gotten out of control," Williams said. "The foraging they do is quite destructive to replacing the cottonwoods and the aspens. We have noticed that here."

Protecting cottonwood habitat along the river is one reason for the hunt, Gocke said. But while Williams supports 3 Creek's decision to allow hunting, he too does not want hunters on his property.

"We love the elk," he said. "We don't want anybody shooting on our ranch. But if other people are willing to put up with that, then that's fine with us."

Copyright © 2004 by the Casper Star-Tribune

 

[1_pointer]

Sounds like the F&G are up a creek. If folks want to let the elk tear up their private property, that's okay by me. Checkerboarded private/public land (very common here along water)can make proper management almost impossible.

 

[Rogue 6]

WFG should relocate some of those wolves to the area. That would fix it right now.

 

[Bambistew]

Sure let them tear the hell out of the private land... but if the heard is too big and causeing problems with the PUBLIC land is that ok? It's his land let him do what he wants with it, but doesn't the WFG have the authority to take the animals out if they feel the need?

 

[1_pointer]

BS- I'd say no, F&G doesn't have the authority as I'm sure private property rights exceed their actions. Same as what happened in NV with the two locked bulls, without owner's permission the F&G could not enter the property. If the animals are causing problems on public land they have to be there, thus just adjust the tag #s and season dates to accomodate. Open the season in July if needed.

 

[Bambistew]

Hmmm, do you think the fish and game could put fence around Fords property to keep the elk out?

 

[Elkhunter]

No funding will go to the private landowner for damages unless they allow hunting on their property. I doubt that Mr. Ford is worried about collecting a few $ though.

 

[1_pointer]

I'm guessing no, as I'm betting that it's USFS lands, so they would have to do it. If this is even close to a migration route I'm guessing that would be a no-go. Best F&G can do is hammer 'em when they step off the property.