DEPREDATION HUNTS FOR ESCAPED ELK TO START
IN EASTERN IDAHO

BOISE – Governor Jim Risch and Fish and Game Director Steve Huffaker announced plans for depredation hunts to begin next week for domestic elk that escaped from an elk farm in August.  The announcement was made at a news conference in the Governor’s office today.

 “We are now taking the next step in harvesting these domestic elk that have escaped.  The Department of Fish and Game will implement an emergency depredation hunt that will begin next week,” said Risch.  “Help is needed from sportsmen and private landowners to harvest these elk and we greatly appreciate their assistance.”  So far agency personnel have harvested 15 domestic elk of an estimated 75 to 160 elk that have escaped.

Governor Risch has notified the Governors of Wyoming and Montana as well as the Park Superintendents of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks of the escape of the domestic elk.  Risch also outlined the action that has been taken to remove the elk from the wild.

Hunters possessing Teton Zone elk tags will be randomly selected to hunt in the northeast portion of Game Management Unit 62.  Sequential hunting dates have been set for September 19 – 25, September 26 – October 2 and October 3 – 14.  Fifty hunters will be selected for each sequential hunt and additional hunts will be added if needed.  Hunters not possessing a Teton Zone elk tag can add their name to a list to be contacted, if additional hunters are needed, by contacting the Idaho Falls Fish and Game office at 208-525-7290.

Private landowners will also be contacted and provided an elk tag to take a domestic elk.  Landowners will be allowed to designate their tag to another person as long as no fee or compensation is given for the tag.

Hunters are being asked to provide biological samples from all elk taken in the unit.  Samples can be collected by officers in the field, Billy Joe’s Taxidermy in Tetonia and the Idaho Falls Fish and Game office.

The Fish and Game department has closed the archery-only season in the depredation hunt area.

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