BOULDER COUNTY TO CULL RED HILL ELK HERD – Planning is underway to control and manage another elk herd in Boulder County, Colorado. The Red Hill Herd is the new target for these culling strategies. According to a press release, this will occur in the Heil Valley Ranch area and natural lands east of U.S. 36.
Culling Plan Major Goals:
- Reduce conflicts between elk and humans
- Increase biodiversity
- Maintain healthy migration patterns.
A New Antlerless Elk Season
The County wishes to implement a antlerless season from August 15th to October 31st. Only “short range” weapons will be allowed. Through this action, they hope to reduce the over-crowding of elk in these areas, that result in major damage to agriculture and over-grazing.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman, Jason Clay; “The goal is to reduce habitat damage caused by the elk, try to establish some seasonal movement and get some distribution going, so they aren’t parking there all the time, and also reducing conflicts. So the public harvest program is a good tool to use with that.”
Boulder County Elk Cull History
The Rabbit Mountain Herd is another culling project. During the proposal meeting regarding the Red Hill Herd, the Rabbit Mountain Herd cull plan was extended for another five years. If this herd is in the migration process, the goal is to cull about 70 animals. If not in migration, the goal is 30.
Wildlife overpasses and underpasses are also an extension of this plan. This will allow a safe movement of elk and other animals to different habitats east and west of U.S. 36. Car collisions with wildlife have been a major issue, and public safety is to be increased through these newly constructed pathways should this proposal be implemented.
What are your thoughts? Is this necessary? Do you know anyone in the area affected by these herds?
