New provincial rules permit hunters to kill problem elk

Farmers across Alberta have a new option to deal with problem antlerless elk herds that are eating livestock feed or damaging private property.

Problem elk hunting launched this spring in Alberta, which permits eligible hunters to target elk on private poverty or adjacent Crown land, even after the February end to the recreational elk hunting season.

It's a welcome change for cattle rancher Cole Barten, who says elk are ripping up hay bales and leaving behind a mess.

"We haven't had a problem with elk for the last three years, and then this year we had 150 [elk] getting into a stackyard (used for storing feed) every single day," said Barten, who is also a delegate for the Alberta Beef Producers.

He says elk have caused about $20,000 worth of damage this year on his ranch near Cardston, Alta., and estimates damages could amount to thousands more for other farmers.

"As soon as that February hunting season was over, all these elk came out of the provincial park and they show up and they've kind of wreaked havoc on us for the last three to four weeks."

Barten adds he's optimistic that the new rules will make a difference for farmers and ranchers like himself if they're implemented properly. He said Alberta Beef Producers are following the new initiative closely.

"It's another tool in the toolbox," he said, adding the province will likely not be able to measure how effective the policy is for a few seasons.

"We're not looking to eradicate elk," Barten said. "We have to work with the wildlife and stuff, and that's what producers in Alberta strive for.… We need that happy medium."

Hunting problem elk is part of the province's Wildlife Management Responder Network, which was announced last year. The province also announced it would be permitting selective hunts for grizzly bears that are deemed problematic.

Ruiping Luo, conservation specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association, says elk populations are doing well in Alberta, but she isn't convinced hunters should be the ones responsible for stopping human-wildlife conflict.

"We're not as concerned with elk hunting, in particular. We are a little bit concerned that the government has been continuing to push the use of hunters in the role of what we feel should be wildlife responders," she said.

"There are concerns with whether or not these hunters are able to play the role that they need to in responding to [problem] animals without causing harm to the ecology, to the ecosystem, or even to public safety."

Luo adds the Alberta Wilderness Association would like to see more monitoring of elk populations and wildlife distribution to better inform government policy decisions.

In a statement, a Ministry of Forestry and Parks spokesperson said eligible hunters will be called on only as a last resort, if other damage prevention tactics are unsuccessful.

The statement also said no elk have been killed through the program so far, and only antlerless elk can be targeted under the new rules.

In February, 90 hunters were chosen using a lottery system, the province says. Applicants were required to have a valid Wildlife Identification Number and had to be eligible to hold a hunting licence in Alberta to be considered. 

The province has also implemented proactive, cost-sharing mitigation tools such as wire game fences to help protect stored livestock feed and scare cannons, which are available on loan.

For more information on best management practices to prevent elk damage, visit the province's website.