Mdc Killed An Elk

[Feathers and Fins]

That would be because it would be RESTORING wetlands that benifit far more animals. You would have Marshes, Riparian, Ponds etc that benifit hundreds of species. Waterfowl season itself is only 60 days but the rewards for properly managed waterfowl areas to wildlife and human uses if VAST.

[Al Agnew]

I've been on the fence on the elk issue. I think it's kinda cool that we could have this once native big game animal again, but I can also see the problems. It did cost quite a bit to obtain the elk, but the land was already there, already mostly in public ownership, and already able to support some elk. And if nothing else, I love it when anybody does something the Farm Bureau doesn't like...kinda like the enemy of my enemy is my friend, or something.

Yes, MDC has changed and evolved. Some of it is for the better, some for the worse. They ARE paying a lot more attention to the river fisheries, which is good. They have mostly transitioned out of purchasing more and more land in order to take care of what they have, which is probably necessary. They have to buy from willing sellers, so they can't just decide to create a new waterfowl management area in a prime location and do it, they have to find somebody willing to sell that prime location.

The sales tax is a double edged sword. Back when they were dependent almost entirely on hunting and fishing licenses and fees, they could cater strictly to hunters and anglers. Now, they have to answer to a lot of non-consumptive users as well. If they managed for a specific critter, like quail, they'd often be downgrading the habitat of a lot of other critters that are there now, and a lot of people would be up in arms about it. Quail management, as somebody else said, is pretty much left to private landowners because that's where most of the potential quail habitat is found. And with the vast amount of private acreage being grazed by cattle down a nub these days, or else being left to grow up in second growth timber, the quail don't stand a chance.

[Outside Bend]

That would be because it would be RESTORING wetlands that benifit far more animals. You would have Marshes, Riparian, Ponds etc that benifit hundreds of species. Waterfowl season itself is only 60 days but the rewards for properly managed waterfowl areas to wildlife and human uses if VAST.

And restoring elk habitat promotes native vegetation, creates savanna, open woodlands, and other habitats which benefit hundreds of species. What's the difference?

I don't thing MDC screwed up reintroducing elk, I think they screwed up reintroducing elk at the expense of everything else, including their credibility. They're constantly worried about the effect of politics on conservation, yet seem content moving forward with an extremely expensive project based mostly on PR and tourism as opposed to science.

But I do think their could be a silver lining- if reintroducing elk spurs the Department and private landowners to manage their property with an eye towards restoring the ecology of Ozark woodlands, I think that's a good thing. If it spurs those entities to simply create a giant elk petting zoo, I think we've missed the whole point.

[Stoneroller]

I don't think MDC screwed up reintroducing elk, I think they screwed up reintroducing elk at the expense of everything else, including their credibility. They're constantly worried about the effect of politics on conservation, yet seem content moving forward with an extremely expensive project based mostly on PR and tourism as opposed to science.

sad thing is they are supposed to be protecting what is here first and foremost, hence the "Conserve" part of Conservation... As other's mentioned, I would much rather see that money and 'my portion' of the public land go towards helping animals and plants that are already here and need help. I can't imagine the nightmare that will occur when a Mt Lion kills and eats one of their precious little elk babies next spring.

[ozark trout fisher]

Lots of good money and time wasted that could have been used on Quail and other Game that needed it far more. I say HIGH fence them and let some people blast them and start putting the money for the shoots to projects that need it.

But elk belong here every bit as much as quail. They're both native species. It's true that quail are in trouble, but elk were extinct. Why should quail be considered more important elk just because they have managed to survive a little longer in this state without reintroduction? Remember that deer and turkey were nearly extinct, and in essentially the same position as Missouri elk in the early to middle part of the 20th century before the MDC stepped in. I think that most of us are glad that they were reintroduced.

The truth is, both elk and quail need our help (and more specifically the help of the MDC and landowners.) I don't even remotely approve of the MDC's decision to shoot this elk, but the reality is that they are reintroducing a native species, and even if it's in a more limited manner than I would like, that is still a good thing. And the MDC is doing just about everything they can to help quail make a comeback. But like Chief said, the single biggest problem with that is the lack of cooperation on the part of many landowners. The vast majority of our state is in private hands, and if people can't be convinced to take even minimal steps to manage their land for quail (and these same practices are very beneficial to many other kinds of wildlife and game species) then what can a state agency do about that? I don't think a great deal, unfortunately.

Finally, if anyone truly worries that Peck Ranch and the surrounding area will become a "petting zoo", I encourage you to visit that area over the summer and see it for yourself. It is wild country, probably to an extent not found elsewhere in the state. Those concerns are unfounded, I think.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Like a Guy told me the other day we are not dealing with the same MDC we did as little as 15 years ago and it's not for the Good.

oneshot

Ain't that the truth.

Quail? They are on private land and now land owners can clear fence to fence economiclly.

I see a big, make it huge, difference in establishing habitat to attract ducks and establishing habitat to import native animals back that have no chance in hell of becoming native again.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Ain't that the truth.

Quail? They are on private land and now land owners can clear fence to fence economiclly.

I see a big, make it huge, difference in establishing habitat to attract ducks and establishing habitat to import native animals back that have no chance in hell of becoming native again.

Hummm.....Otters......

I am off for a three day two night float. You boys play nice till I get back. We can talk more quail then.

[Outside Bend]

I see a big, make it huge, difference in establishing habitat to attract ducks and establishing habitat to import native animals back that have no chance in hell of becoming native again.

That's fine. My understanding is elk are just as native as ducks (or quail), and just as capable of doing well when reintroduced to MO. Managing forests for elk creates habitat for many different species, just like managing wetlands or grasslands for quail does. The department even developed areas to concentrate elk for hunting and viewing- just like they have for waterfowl.

MDC has taken a page out of the waterfowl playbook to manage elk- same benefits, same talking points, same management regimes. So why is MDC managing for elk bad, and MDC managing for waterfowl good? I understand you think there's a big difference, but explain the big difference.

[jdmidwest]

How did the MDC "help" the elk?

I think they were perfectly happy where they were before they were herded, trapped, caged, transported, collared, then tossed in a fenced area far away from their native habitat.

[Feathers and Fins]

Here is how I look at the ELK. If the MDC was truly concerned about restoring them ( which i would support) then they need to let them roam at will. I am just curious if the MDC even went out west or talked to people about the ELK. They will roam, so here is the problem they go off the reservation and Custer will get sent in to shoot them.

Im sorry but to me reintroduction means to try and bring back the species. NOT bring them back to a small area and any that do not obey the signs get shot. Bring up DEER and TURKEY but I have never seen the MDC go shoot them when they leave an area. Pretty penny spent on the ELK just to go Custer on them.