Mdc Killed An Elk

[OzarkFishman]

Thanks CWF, I didn't catch that.

[jdmidwest]

With the size of the big collar, it should be sporting a deep cell trolling motor battery for power. They could build a big invisible fence and use the battery as a shock collar when they cross. That would save on the monitoring part.

Looking at the size of the collar, at least they went cheap on the tracking equipment and saved taxpayer dollars. Most beagles and coyote dogs have tracking collars smaller than a pack of cigarettes. That must have some old military surplus from WWII that they picked up cheap.

I saw a nice herd of elk yesterday, none of them were wearing any collars and they looked natural. Plus, I think they stomp the grapes for the winery in the fall.

[OzarkFishman]

I will send the email tomorrow. Just don't see anymore constructive comments being posted on this thread.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Also be sure and ask how we can get Ron's wife to bring the flowers back. For effect, have Babs and Diamond singing "you don't bring me flowers" softly in the background.

[OzarkFishman]

No response yet, but here is a link ... http://mdc.mo.gov/di...ion-backgroun-0

Some of you won't believe a word on the page ... believe what you want.

[OzarkFishman]

The elk that was shot

Why could they not sedate the elk that was shot?

From the information I gathered, it seems 2 things played into the decision ...

1) The shot was difficult and more than likely would have missed if a tranquilizer gun was used (range of weapon). Obviously, this would rule out the net gun.

2) MDC promised the state that the elk would be kept within the area (if not, the elk would be dealt with swiftly). This particular male showed a yearn to roam and not come back (yes, all elk roam ... this one roamed more than the others). The MDC came to the conclusion that this elk was not coming back and made a decisive action.

Where had the elk been roaming (actual data from collar)?

The actual data will NOT be released. Historical or live data of where the elk are roaming could lead to plenty of problems (poaching, trespassing, etc.). This elk was out of the "area".

Elk area/range

What is considered elk area?

Follow the link that is provided in the post above this one.

What is the standard protocol for an elk that strays from the "area"?

The protocol is to sedate or net gun the elk. If necessary, lethal measures will be taken. There are many sides to this issue and MDC does its best to do what is best for the most.

What would happen if an elk crossed the state border?

Still working on finding the answer ...

Sustainability/environmental impact

What is the projected number of animals before viable hunting season is allowed?

How will a hunting season be established?

Who will be allowed to hunt for them?

When is the hunting season forseeable?

Time will tell, but it looks like hunting is somewhere between 5 and 10 years out. That is too long out to answer these specific questions.

What if the Arkansas and Missouri elk Breed?

This is not a problem that is foreseen (the unforeseen happens daily ...).

What happens if deer with CWD are found on Pecks Ranch to the elk herd?

I will be asking this question in an email I send later today. CWD has not been shown to transfer from deer to livestock, but I do not know about deer to elk transfer possibilities.

FROM MDC WEBSITE ... "Other states with successful elk restoration projects have followed similar health protocols that have resulted in no cases of disease transmission to livestock or wildlife."

How much is this project going to cost over 3, 5, and 10 years and where is the forseeable break even point or self sustaining point?

I did not ask this question. This project is still in the building/maturing stage.There are grants out there and some have shown interest in helping the MDC offset some of the costs. Still too many variables to answer this question (IMHO).

What weeds do the elk eat, and how will it improve the forest ecology it will habitat in?

One of the guys I talked to worked in 2 other states with elk populations. He stated that elk will eat crops, just not most of the crops we have here. They like peas, alfalfa and many other things that are not abundant around here. Fescue damage has been shown to stay at a minimum. The biggest problem this guy encountered in other states was property damage (elk tend to go through fences from time to time). Some states offered to repay the landowners ...

As far as the weeds and forest ecology, time will tell. All animals will eat what satisfies them the most with what is available. Again, time will tell.

So ... I have 2 more questions to get answered (see above). This may have been a waste of time, since most of the nay-sayers will stay nay-sayers ... BUT, I gained a lot of good information for my conservation class and I developed a few more connections with MDC!

Enjoy your day guys and gals!

[OzarkFishman]

Here are the responses I received for the last 2 unanswered questions ...

1)What would happen if an elk crossed the state border? I am assuming elk from Arkansas to Missouri. We may allow nature to take its course, but we may also decide to eliminate the elk as per our Elk Restoration zone. There is a small group of elk near the Drury Mincy Conservation Area of which we don’t know their origins. There is an elk ranch there, so they may be escapees; we are doing investigation to find out their origin and what will come of that heard remains to be seen

2)What happens if deer with CWD are found on Pecks Ranch to the elk herd? First, the possibility of CWD found at Pecks Ranch is very remote; the deer in the Macon area most likely contracted CWD from the captive deer ranch nearby. Research has shown that CWD is more easily transmitted in confined areas such as a deer ranch versus open range deer.

Saying that, if there was CWD in the deer at Pecks Ranch we would take steps to thin the deer herd at the epicenter of the disease and most likely begin testing the elk immediately. One of the reasons MDC abated the Elk Reintroduction program in 2000 was the inability to test live deer/elk for the disease. We are able to do that now which allowed us to test the elk in Kentucky for CWD.

[ness]

I'm just not getting many warm-and-fuzzies from these answers.

[Feathers and Fins]

1)What would happen if an elk crossed the state border? I am assuming elk from Arkansas to Missouri. We may allow nature to take its course, but we may also decide to eliminate the elk as per our Elk Restoration zone. There is a small group of elk near the Drury Mincy Conservation Area of which we don’t know their origins. There is an elk ranch there, so they may be escapees; we are doing investigation to find out their origin and what will come of that heard remains to be seen

So two states working to restore Elk to the Ozark Mountains / there Native range at one time / their state. One of those agencies would be wiling to Eliminate the animals that are doing just exactly that! To me that is not conservation or restoration minded! If the animals are spreading out and establishing themselves they would seem to be doing what animals do. Reminds me of a Movie Line ( Nature will find a way ) Perhaps it needs to be reminded to the Conservation departments.

I will support restoration of the animals but when they do what they do then they need to be left alone. Managed through Hunting sure payback to farmers, ranchers and landowners for potential damages done OK. But when you set out to restore a animal then when it starts restoring itself dont just shoot it for being an animal. Why should they be given any less resspect than any other game animal?

Sure would be interesting to see MDC going out and killing a deer for going onto joe blows property.... bet that would go over well wit hsportsmen.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Here are the responses I received for the last 2 unanswered questions ...

1)What would happen if an elk crossed the state border?

We just saw what will happen.