State delays decision on controversial elk plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has delayed until November its commission’s consideration of a controversial 2015 elk-brucellosis management plan aimed at disease outbreaks in the Paradise Valley. The Fish and Wildlife Commission was scheduled to take up the issue on Oct. 16. The complicated and controversial issue has pitted hunters against landowners and state and federal agencies. Cattle ranchers would disagree, saying they are bearing the brunt of a disease that can limit their income as well as the genetic makeup of valuable cattle herds. Ranchers fear brucellosis because it can cause pregnant cattle to abort. An outbreak can force the killing of infected cattle and quarantining of a herd. The disease is believed to be transferred when cattle come in contact with birthing material from an infected elk. Keeping the animals separate when elk are giving birth is believed to be an effective tool to control outbreaks. At issue is FWP’s plan to allow up to 250 elk to be taken by permitted landowners and by hunters during special hunts meant to disperse elk. In 2015, the hunts could take place much later into the spring elk calving season than has been previously allowed and also could provide kill permits to landowners...more