Dent Elk Management Pilot Clears Ag Committee

Legislation by Representative Tom Dent creating an Elk Management Pilot Project in Kittitas County has cleared the House Ag Committee.  Dent says because of the dramatic increase in elk populations nearly I-90, many farmers have suffered damage to their property by elk moving through the area.

“They’ve moved into a lot of our farmers and ranchers hay barns, and it’s kind of been an issue, and it took about 11 months to write this legislation, where we could all agree, as far as ranchers, farmers and fish and wildlife.”

House Bill 1353 calls on Fish and Wildlife to explore the viability of various wildlife management actions to reduce damage to Kittitas County crops, as well as high way collisions.  The legislation cleared the House Ag Committee but is now in the House Appropriations Committee.

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