1. In the situation where…

1. In the situation where elk are damaging crops, including stored crops, farmers need a timely
method to harass the culprit animals to affect their immediate exit from their property. Current
protocols take far too long, ongoing damage is being caused in the meantime. This time sensitive
issue needs to be addressed.
1b. Similarly there is a concern for the farmers livestock. In the situation where elk are
jeopardizing the health and safety of the farm livestock and the farm family, farmers also need a
timely method to affect their immediate exit from the property. Current protocols take far too
long. This time sensitive issue needs to be addressed.
2. We do not want to see the establishment of any new sub-herds in Algoma.
3. We require consultation on any development or protocol changes in relation to the North Shore
herd.
4.  Farmers need specific indications as to what methods will be used to limit the size of the
sub-herds, what identification of individual nuisance animals will be undertaken. The protocols
need to address the urgency of the problem of ongoing damage to fields, fences and stored crops.
5. Given the large size of the herd increase the herd management will  result in a hunt in the very
near future. Specifics of the direction MNR will take in this direction is required including the
protocols for issuing tags for such a hunt. We suggest an independent group be charged with
responsibility of doing an extensive Arial inventory of all of the sub-herds of Elk in the Lake
Huron North Shore Herd. This will give an accurate total of animals in the Lake Huron North Shore
Herd, which will result in the establishment of an immediate hunt for this area.
6.  The herd of elk, naturally produced new sub-herds each year.  The young maturing bull elk
select a small herd of females and take them off to a new area to create a new sub-herd in an area
not currently occupied by any rivals.
7.  We do not want to see MNR move any elk into any areas in WMU 36 or WMU 37.     These areas
either  do not have the quantity of feed needed for a herd, and this in in-humane.    The moved elk
will likely move on their own to other unsuspecting agricultural areas, and this is un-conscionable
thing to do to our neighbours.
8.  We recommend that MNR prepare for an immediate hunt to systematically reduce the size of the
existing sub-herds and to immediately reduce the pressure on farmers in the area and to reduce to
potential of serious, possible fatal, traffic accidents on our local highways.
9.  We want to see an immediate reduction in sub-herd size and the creation of NO New Sub-Herds by
MNR or its delegates.

[Original Comment ID: 177908]