Mike Ferguson, owner of Velvet Elk Ranch near Island Park, Idaho has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the way he disposed of his animal’s gut piles. Because of increased bear activity as the result of drought and summer heat, some wanted to blame this on Ferguson.

After an investigation by the Department of Agriculture, which handles elk ranching, Ferguson was found to have been disposing of his remains within the laws that govern the industry.

However, I would like to point out one slightly misleading thing that LocalNews8 reported in their Associated Press mini article.

Mark Hyndman is the state livestock investigator charged with inspecting operations at Velvet Ranch … specifically the burial grounds for elk carcasses, guts and organs. His report found nothing wrong with burial procedures.

However, Ferguson has agreed to alter his methods, including burying guts daily closer to the kill site.(emboldening is mine)

This report makes it sound as if Mr. Ferguson agreed to this after the fact, which is not the case. He took it upon himself before the investigation because of the reports of increased bear activity, to dispose of his remains as soon as was feasible in order to reduce any chances of exacerbating the bear problems.

Tom Remington

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