Sequim Elk Herd vs. Farmers (continued)
The six-month hunt to "cull" the Dungeness Elk herd has now ended, and farmers are fretting over damage to their crops.
Lots of interesting comments at the linked article. (Hurry up and read them while they're still there.) A farmer claims that fences, no matter how high they are and even if they're electric, can't keep out the elk. But some of the commenters are saying their land is near the elk herd and that the elk have never gotten past their fences.
Lots of interesting comments at the linked article. (Hurry up and read them while they're still there.) A farmer claims that fences, no matter how high they are and even if they're electric, can't keep out the elk. But some of the commenters are saying their land is near the elk herd and that the elk have never gotten past their fences.
posted by Tom Harper at 1:05 PM
8 Comments:
Probably a "property rights" wingnut.
Sequim and Clallam Co. teabaggers and those in the state that lunch off their buttholes, will never let this issue (thus not all of the elk) die - PETA lovers/vegans/scientists are the same as all other "Democrats" and cause far more damage to their "crops" than these elk.
Getting rid of the goats will be very difficult. Getting rid of these elk would be easy.
Elk aren't exactly stupid, if you shoot the ones that come onto the farms (and eat them so they don't go to waste) they will learn to stay away and live in the mountains and there's plenty of room in the park for them.
As a produce farmer, I know well the problems of trying to grow anything that the deer, etc would leave alone. It is just plain stupid to think that anyone can put out acres of perfectly good food (from the animals perspective) and that they somehow will tell the difference between what we want them to leave alone, and what they can eat.
The first time I went out and saw dozens of deer munching happily in my fields, I called up the local Ag and Fish and Game guys to ask what to do. The F&G guy said they would issue me a special permit so I could shoot the deer, but I had to give the meat to shelters. This was clearly a stupid idea, as I would have spent most of my time cleaning carcasses and driving them around to places, and not have time to do my farm work.
So, I built fences. Not expensive, and it solved the problem. By late summer, when most native vegetation has browned out and my acres and acres of fresh, green veggies were beyond tempting, I had no choice if I really wanted to farm.
This situation exists all over in North America, these days. No, it isn't Elk everywhere, it is deer. But the deer eat and ruin the veggies just as effectively.
Not wanting to protect your produce from getting damaged is a lot like a mechanic not wanting to buy tools. Ya can't really do the job without the needed stuff.
Actually, if you have to cull some deer and elk you should have the right to process and eat it yourself instead of just giving it away for free.
Also be able give it to your friends, or even be able to sell it. It's just a part of farming/ranching that you should be able to profit from.
Wait until the tree huggers get wolves planted in the area. Then there will be no more elk to hassle the farmers, hunt or even look at.
I consider myself somewhat of tree hugger but I'm also an old country boy that grew up eating deer and elk, it's just food, unless you want the next lean meet to be dogs.
The Elk lovers that think tourists want to see elk should maybe buy sixty acres, fence it good, and put some elk there being as I've yet to see an elk in that area.
And they could have a gift store where the tourists can buy elk burgers and elk jerky, hides and such. Hey, ya gotta cater to da tourists and that is what they'll want. If you understand marketing.
Yeah, cuz everyone knows that there are no elk where wolves live.
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