Elk farming/TB - start a petition?

[BlindSquirrel]

In reading about the TB in "farmed elk" on a previous topic and in The Oregonian, my blood just starts to boil! Next thing we'll be reading about more wild elk killing/testing for TB or worse yet, CWD (like mad cow disease).

I'm not especially articulate or savvy in politics - but it seems like it would be a good time for a mass letter/petition or whatever to the groups (state legislators?) that can effect this.

I envision something along the lines of what Jennie (and others) did for the hatchery petition. Anyone out there already doing something like this - like the OHA?

I know that this group doesn't seem as active as the Fishing Community - but every bit helps.

Any ideas?

Pete

[Artwo]

Blind Squirel,
I just finshed reading Bill Monroe's article "Risks Edging Towards Reality for Elk Farms" dated Feb. 3, 2002 in the Oregonlive.com outdoor section. Go read it, it appears that there is already some individuals as well as the OHA talking about getting something put together. We might be able to contact on of these individuals to see how we can help out as a group.

JK

[XXL]

If you guys want a real eye opener, go over to this bulletin board:

http://www2.huntinfo.com/cgi-bin/ubb...assCookie=true

You will find a variety of opinions and attitudes about elk ranching and risks to wildlife. They get downright mean over there from time to time.
XXL

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I have been talking to a lobbist trying to find out what we can do to end this bs. I was wondering why we couldn't use the same process the animal rights people used to get rid of hound hunting to end elk farming all together in oregon. My biggest fear is that we'll end up like texas with fenced hunts and the majority our land leased up. Lets get together and stop this now!

[TheRogue]

I posted the original stories on both these hunting boards a while back:

HuntAmerica
http://www.huntamerica.com/wwwthread...apsed&sb=5&o=0

HuntInfo
http://www2.huntinfo.com/cgi-bin/ubb...=10&LastLogin=

Wildlife "ranching" has been outlawed elsewhere, it can be done here. Part of the problem is that in the eastern states, and especially Texas, there is little "public" land compared to us here in the west. They have a different mentality than we do. We we start talking about getting rid of these "domestic" big-game herds, they immediately get up in arms over protecting their 1000+ acre high fence operations. Most of these are run as hunting operations, not as feedlots, so in many ways, they are different. Unfortunately, in the most important ways, they're way too much the same.

kyle

[willametteriveroutlaw]

heres the latest info I have seen from ofdw
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...rvey_draft.pdf

[Jedediah]

Having been transplanted here from Canada, I still follow the news from up there.

Saskatchewan was one of the first places in North America to start "ranching" elk. This took place back in the early to mid 80's. At that time, a lot of sportsmen raised concern regarding the "taming" of wild animals, and what diseases could be expected. Well, we now all know what is happening. Blind Squirel is absolutely right about the CWD. It is only a matter of time.

As for the Saskatchewan elk, here is an article from a SK newspaper. Look at the numbers!!

http://www.canada.com/search/site/st...D-8429EC5A74C8

[Washington Hunter]

There is a web site that may be of interest to some of you...it is a group that worked to get game ranching banned in Montana recently. The organization is called Montanans Against the Domestication and Commerialization of Wildlife (MADCOW) There is some good information on their website. Take a look at it: www.macow.org/

If you were able to contact someone from that organization, I imagine they may be of some help with how to go about getting it out of Oregon. I can't do much myself, because I'm not a resident of Oregon. Also, I heard it has been banned in Manitoba recently. Good luck!

[Ramstrong]

Well if you're really ****** about it here's your chance to say something.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/public/Ne...21302bnews.htm

Portland meeting is the 20th.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Heres the complete odfw info and whare to go if your not from portland. Rod harder is a lobbist and will help our cause.

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Rod Harder sportdef@teleport.com
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 18:34:17 -0800
To: sportdef@teleport.com
Subject: Elk and Deer TB Hearings

the following is for your information.?Please distribute widely.
Rod Harder

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: (503) 872-5700
For Immediate Release February 13, 2002
Public Meetings to be Held on Tuberculosis Survey
PORTLAND - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host five informational meetings around the state next week to describe an ongoing tuberculosis investigation in eastern Oregon wildlife and to answer questions.
Biologists from ODFW and the Oregon Department of Agriculture will present details on the disease and its transmission risks, current findings, and plans for ongoing research and sampling. ODFW and ODA confirmed the presence of tuberculosis (TB) in one farmed elk late last year. Since then, state and federal agencies have worked to determine the source of the TB and whether it is present in the wild. A large coordinated effort was initiated 70 years ago to eradicate the disease because of its risks to public health.
The dates and times of the meetings are listed below:
?Monument: Monday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Monument Senior Center.
?Redmond: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, North Sisters Building, Haystack-Odell Room, 3800 S.W. Airport Way.
?LaGrande: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Hall, Room 309.
?Portland: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., ODFW Headquarters, Commission Room, 2501 SW 1st Ave.
?Medford: Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale.
Each meeting is expected to last two hours, but staff will remain until 10 p.m. to answer questions. Written information also will be provided. Interested persons may also obtain information on this website: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...ild/elktb.htm.
###
Anne Pressentin Young
Acting Administrator, Information & Education Division
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5356
anne.m.pressentin@state.or.us

[BuKuBass]

Go to ODFW won't shoot elk and deer sick from TB ; found under "Environmental News". Ironically pathetic.

[TheRogue]

Mr. Blind Squirrel...I got the exact same info from the gentlemen running the OHA booth at the Sportsman's Show. "Oh, it'll be OK with double fences." And "Well, it's been stopped in it's tracks, it won't happen again"

My partner and I were disgusted with the stance OHA is taking...do you suppose there are some board members that are somehow connected with elkranching?? That's the only conclusion I can come up with. I took the gentleman's challenge to "do something about it" and signed up for a 5 yr. membership...I used to be a member, but bailed out when it got big, and things seemed to get political. Now, it's several weeks later. My credit card has been charged, but nothing in the mail from OHA yet. Oh, I realize it hasn't been long, and they probably signed up quite a few people, but I betcha I won't see anything for at least a few more months.

kyle

[BlindSquirrel]

Thanks to all for the good information and replies. Unfortunately - I will be out of town on the 2/20 - so I will miss the ODFW informational meeting. I also think that you might be preaching to the choir about banning elk farming at an ODFW meeting as I think it is under the department of agriculture.

I contacted the Oregon Hunter's Association (OHA) via their web-site (both President and lobbyist addresses) - and got a general "we're working on it and will get back to you" reply. I suggested that they have a petition at the Expo Center Sportsmen's show - and they said sorry -- no time. I talked to one of the OHA chapter booths at the sportsmen's show - and they had an OHA opinion sheet on elk farming - but it was not a very strong one against - even suggesting to allow it with double fencing.

The OHA Portland chapter has their monthly meeting on 2/21 - which I will attend. The speaker will be from ODFW -- talking about the elk TB issues.

Thanks again for the good info.