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Elk populations need thinning

Published (3/20/2009)
By Sue Hegarty
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Farmers from northwestern Minnesota are tired of elk herds destroying their crops and damaging their fences.

Appearing before the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division March 16, four farmers said they support an amendment to the division’s omnibus bill that would require the Department of Natural Resources to either come up with a better management plan or declare open season on elk beginning this year.

The amendment is included in the omnibus bill, HF1238, sponsored by Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake). Approved by the division, it awaits action by the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee. A companion, SF1116, sponsored by Sen. Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

The DNR issued 23 elk hunting permits in 2008 for Kittson and Marshall counties where two herds thrive, said Ed Boggess, deputy director of the department’s fish and wildlife division. If there is an elk hunt in 2009, the application deadline would be July 17, along with a $10 application fee per hunter and a $250 hunting license for a party of up to two hunters.

Farmers also traditionally have had recourse through a Department of Agriculture compensation fund, but the fund has dried up due to the propensity of elk causing problems.

Rep. Dave Olin (DFL-Thief River Falls) sponsors HF309, which, as amended by the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division March 17, would raise the fund to $150,000 during the current fiscal year and appropriate $250,000 in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in the division’s omnibus bill. Its companion, SF324, sponsored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), was held over by the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Division for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

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