Game Ranch operator kills 2 wild elk along his fence

DougW · Dec 8, 2003

I read about this yesterday in CO and would like to get some dialogue going:

Apparently a rancher just west of Fort Collins was having some problems with wild elk fighting with his captive elk along the ranch fence (elk ranch). In Sept. of this year, he killed one of the wild bulls with a bow, and tagged it with his archery tag.

Then in Oct. he killed another bull in a similar situation, but this time did not have a tag, and this time with a rifle. He did inform the DOW, and now is facing some big fines if found guilty. The press says he is contesting the charges. He claims the bull was being agressive towards his family.

I think the story also mentions that he has the double fence. Not sure if this is currently required by law, but it should be. No explanation in the story as to why the double fence was not separating wild elk from captive elk.

I don't know what all you folks think, but this one smells a bit fishy. And it just adds one more problem to all those instigated by game ranches. Just my opinion, and I'm a good listener.

Doug

kingfish · Dec 8, 2003

He's a poacher!!!! Treat him like any other poacher....

IDkTm · Dec 8, 2003

Throw the book at the worthless SOB. Poaching rarely gets the prosecution it deserves. Why were the wild elk the problem and not his "pets", maybe he should have shot his elk to fix the "problem".

Someburro · Dec 8, 2003

Note to rancher:

They weren't fighting, they were mating!

dutch · Dec 9, 2003

If you have a problem with a bear coming to your house, what do you do? You call the DOW unless of course it is life threatening to you or your family and there is not time for that.
But we are talking about elk, I know they can get rank in the rut but come on, not like you hear of hunters dying every year from savage elk.
I think it is poaching. but we'll let the courts decide that I guess!

Jake_Sorensen · Dec 9, 2003

I agree it was poaching why couldn't he just shoot in the air or something to scare them off, I've came across several
Elk fighting in the wild and once they caught a glimpse of me or whiff of my smell they took off.

Jake

DougW · Dec 12, 2003

I hope the DOW gets a conviction on this case, based on the information I read in the newspaper. Then when that occurs, hopefully there will be heavy publicity. This game ranch thing is getting harder and harder to defend, and this should help to put a nail in the lid in the coffin someday, hopefully.

D

huntm2 · Dec 13, 2003

LM - NRA, NAHC, RMEF
If he did the wrong thing - punish him !! If not let us all shoot those bulls - (without tags), when we want, and use the same defense. They do however have the same right to raise elk etc as cattle ranchers, horse ranchers, sheep ranchers do. So give them the same courtesy!

ELKMASTER101 · Dec 16, 2003

THATS what you call the "real decoy"
I should be selling them, intead of INSTANT ELK decoys.

cohntr6 · Dec 19, 2003

The case is pending. A wild bull was fighting through the fence with his domestic bull in late september in a area that is not double fenced (As required). Dont know if the wild bull was aggressive to his wife but i think the owner was pissed cause the domestic bull got caught in the fence and died. This also raises CWD questions. This elk ranch is on the unit 19/20 boundry. HE also shot the bull with a rifle during archery season (he had a archery tag). I hope the DWM in charge of the case can find out all the facts and get him convicted.
Jeff

BearDown · Dec 19, 2003

Hey how do you know his wife does'nt smell like a cow in heat!I know if somethin with that big of a ding-dong was cummin at my wife I'd have to shoot it or maybe shoot it with my video camera.