- Aug 4, 2011
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The ODFW has been forcing ranchers to support bloated elk herds on their property for decades. A rancher in Wallowa Oregon has been shooting elk to keep them off their property, out of the feed for their cattle (the herd has increased from 40 to 200+). The ODFW has refused to assist, they will not allow them to kill them outright, they are supposed to *scare* the elk out of the fields. The ODFW will not take care of the problem themselves, and they will not provide money for the landowners to build elk proof fencing (if such a thing exists).
The ranchers are expected to host these massive herds on their property at their own expense, and if they kill them, they go to jail.
In this case, the ODFW has released a statement that has everybody all riled up, about how they *raided* this property and found 25 wasted carcasses. Keep in mind they have refused to pick up the animals, have refused to help divert the animals, won't let anybody shoot the animals without jumping through ridiculous hoops and adhering to idiotic rules. The landowners have offered to shoot and let ODFW pick up the animals to use for whatever..the ODFW refuses.
Keeping them out of the fields is a full time job. And now they're going to jail because they are trying to protect their crops for their cattle..who are restricted on public lands.
WALLOWA COUNTY: Harshfield's release statement on elk case
The ranchers are expected to host these massive herds on their property at their own expense, and if they kill them, they go to jail.
In this case, the ODFW has released a statement that has everybody all riled up, about how they *raided* this property and found 25 wasted carcasses. Keep in mind they have refused to pick up the animals, have refused to help divert the animals, won't let anybody shoot the animals without jumping through ridiculous hoops and adhering to idiotic rules. The landowners have offered to shoot and let ODFW pick up the animals to use for whatever..the ODFW refuses.
Keeping them out of the fields is a full time job. And now they're going to jail because they are trying to protect their crops for their cattle..who are restricted on public lands.
WALLOWA COUNTY: Harshfield's release statement on elk case