GAME DAMAGE 



During the past two years, the department spent $21,856.00 on 

 game damage complaints. The money was spent for elk herders, 

 fence builders, fencing materials and purchase of hay for compen- 

 sation of damage in severe cases. This figure is the amount expended 

 on only a very small percentage of game damage complaints filed 

 with the department. The department is financially unable to pro- 

 vide elk herders, fencing or pay claims for hay consumed for all 

 complaints on a state-wide basis. 



ANTELOPE DAMAGE 



Increases in the number of antelope in some areas where agri- 

 cultural crops are grown has resulted in many complaints of crop 

 damage attributed to the antelope. Alfalfa seed crops have received 

 severe damage in a few areas. The department has tried to give re- 

 lief to the farmers by hazing the antelope to break up concentration 

 by every means possible. Generally such measures are effective for 

 temporary periods of time only, and a reduction in population in such 

 areas is the only solution to reoccurrence of excessive crop damage. 

 Special antelope seasons have been provided to obtain this objective. 



DEER DAMAGE 



Deer damage complaints are received annually from several deer 

 ranges where winter range for deer is lacking and the deer are forced 

 to winter on private lands. Haystack damage in some cases has been 

 too heavy for any individual rancher to sustain and in such cases the 

 department has built fences or furnished material for fencing around 

 haystacks. Department sponsored fencing has been resorted to only in 

 hardship cases where action is necessary to prevent complete de- 

 struction of a badly needed hay supply. Deer repellents which have 

 recently been placed on the market were tried out with varying de- 

 grees of success when used on fruit trees and shrubs, but the use 

 of such repellents was unsuccesful in keeping deer away from hay- 

 stacks. A controlled season on antlerless deer has been our best 

 tool for managing deer herds in areas where damage has occurred. 



ELK DAMAGE 



During the critical portion of the winter during time of deep or 

 crusted snow, elk are forced down onto private lands in search of 

 food. Haystacks are invaded and in some cases completely eaten or 

 trampled. The department has sponsored the building of elk-proof 

 panel fences in the critical areas, and has encouraged ranchers to 

 build their own panels or to bale their hay, if possible. Baling of hay 

 in some areas has almost solved the elk damage problem to hay- 

 stacks. Elk herders were employed where no other methods could be 

 used to curtail severe damages. Special elk seasons have been de- 

 clared to give relief in some areas where hunting pressure has proven 

 to be effective in keeping elk away from haystacks. 



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