Elk Management Plan Not Always Successful

The city of Calgary has had an elk population explosion. Within 9 years, the herd has grown from 400 to about 750. Part of the management plan does include hunting, however the elk seem to have a canny sense and know when to start moving off the public lands. They head to areas where there is no hunting allowed, closer to town, and on farms and ranches. Some ranchers don't like having the elk around, but still would rather have the elk on their land than hunters. The elk will ruin the hay, and they have to take measures to protect the hay by fencing. According to one rancher, hunters ruin fences and act like they own the country.

The province would like to reduce the elk population to around 200, as they pose a safety hazard on roadways, as well as damage farmlands. Permits are sold, and archery hunting is allowed closer to residential areas. The province will try to trap some and move them to Rocky Mountain House. This is usually more successful in harsh winters, when the elk are hungry and less cautious. From The Calgary Herald.