Yukon farmer sets sights on wild elk hunt

Yukon hunters should be allowed to shoot a limited number ofwild elk to help Whitehorse-area farmers with a growing problem, domestic elk farmer Wayne Grove says.

This winter, hungry wild elkdamaged his fences and helped themselves to feed in his fields north of the city along the Takhini River road, he said in an interview Thursday.

Sturdy fences are necessary to keep the wild elk away from his herd as well as to protect his herd from predators, he said.

"It's hard enough farming here in the Yukon. It's like having something eating your paycheque," Grove said.

Right now, wild elk in the Yukon are protected and hunting is not allowed.

The government is working on a management plan for the herd, which is believed to number between 200 and 300 animals.

The herd, whichoccupies a largeregion northand west of Whitehorse, has flourished since it was reintroduced in the territory about 50 years ago.