Theodore Roosevelt park elk harvest is about game management

Tribune editorial | Posted: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 2:00 am

The reduction of the elk herd in Theodore Roosevelt National Park has begun. Volunteer sharpshooters have been harvesting animals for two weeks, part of a plan to cull the herd from about 1,000 animals to as few as 100 elk for the 70,000 acre park.

It took too long to get to this point. But now that we are here, the reduction of the elk herd appears to be a well-managed, business-like operation.

Elk, deer and antelope are managed in the Plains states by hunting. When the wildlife population balloons, more tags or licenses are issued. But sport hunting isn’t an appropriate activity in a national park.

With no hunting or natural predators, the elk introduced into Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 1985 have continued to procreate and prosper. They share the park with buffalo and deer, as well as smaller mammals
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The impact on the vegetation, especially in dry years, has been significant; hence, the need to cull the herd.

U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan and Gov. John Hoeven pushed the Park Service to use volunteer sharpshooters to harvest the elk rather than professional hunters.

Part of the issue might have been costs, but mostly it was a matter of principle for the hunting community. The idea of using volunteer hunters, however, ran afoul the Park Service’s prescription against hunting in the park.

It took seven years and congressional action to make it happen.

The Tribune story Sunday reflected a responsible and well-reasoned approach to culling the herd. Five teams of four with a team leader are used each week.

It’s not a game or sport, but rather workman-like. The harvested animals are field-dressed and packed out.

Thirty-one elk were taken the first week and another 35 the second. The plan is to kill at least 275 elk yet this year.

The size of the elk herd in the park must be managed, for the long-term good of the elk and other animals and plants in the park.

The majestic animals must be treated with respect and dignity in this process.

While some might find the harvesting of the elk repugnant, it is a necessary part of process, one that resembles a natural cycle of life in the wild.

Hopefully, with contraceptives and other less intrusive means, the future elk herd can be managed without shooting the animals or, at least, not in the kinds of numbers contemplated in the next several years.
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