Last night Gov. Jim Risch of Idaho said his decision to kill the escaped elk belonging to Rex Rammell of the Chief Joseph elk ranch was based squarely on existing laws.
“…..the Legislature very clearly said when they allowed this type of wild game preserve that after seven days they were no longer their property of the owner, that they’re open to be taken by Fish and Game, the Department of Agriculture and private hunters,”
The law states that after seven days the state can decide what to do with any animals of this kind that escape. The governor’s decision to shoot the elk was based on fear that the elk may be diseased and that cross breeding would occur between wild and domestic elk.
It appears there was not sufficient documentation to prove the animals were disease free and genetically pure.
*All posts on the topic*:
Idaho Gubernatorial Candidates Have A Say About Elk Farming
Rammell For Governor, Ranch Sold, Elk Still Being Hunted
Wyoming Governor Freudenthal Says Interior Department Not Doing Enough About Escaped ElkIdaho’s Escaped Elk Now Getting National Attention
Idaho Elk Farmer Says All His Elk Accounted For
Idaho Governor Expands Hunt For Escaped Elk
More Elk Killed In Idaho – Some By Hunters
Idaho Elk Farmer Plans To Sue The State
Scientists Will Test Killed Idaho Elk For Disease And Genetic Make-up
A Helicopter, A Plane And 25 Agents Can’t Find 160 Domestic Elk
Escaped Idaho Elk Being Slaughtered. Wyoming Ordered To Kill Elk Also
Domestic Elk Crash The Gate – Escape!
Tom Remington
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