The Northwest Has an Elk Problem
In this Jan. 18, 2017, file photo, elk feed at the Wenaha Wildlife Area near Troy, Ore. (Keith Kohl/ Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File)
In the remote Blue Mountains where Oregon, Washington, and Idaho converge, elk are shifting from symbols of the Northwest to sources of tension. Herds that once stayed largely on national forest land are now venturing onto private ranches, including Shaun Robertson’s 4,300-acre property in eastern Oregon. Ranchers report that the animals are damaging pastures, trampling crops, and sparking debates over who should cover the resulting losses.
Experts say the changes stem from a mix of federal forest policy shifts, growing predator numbers, larger wildfires, and the Trump administration’s policies encouraging more logging, new roads, and expanded recreation on public lands. These factors have made traditional forest habitats less appealing to elk, pushing them toward private land.
States are trying to respond with expanded hunting permits, deterrent measures, and higher compensation for crop damage, but many landowners feel these steps fall short. Biologists warn that herds in Washington’s Blue Mountains are showing troubling signs, including reduced calf survival, as the animals experience greater stress.
Adding complexity, the situation involves trophy hunters, weekend property owners marketing land as “elk-friendly,” and tribes that hold elk as spiritually significant. With so many interests in play, the question becomes: who will influence the future of these iconic animals?
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