09/18/06 Elk hunt, quarantine

Governor Jim Risch says he can't give an accurate number of elk that escaped from an eastern Idaho preserve last month. He's not sure how many were recaptured. On Friday the Department of Agriculture put the Chief Joseph Elk Ranch near Tetonia under quarantine. Idaho Fish and Game Director Steve Huffaker says hunters with elk licenses are being notified now. HUFFAKER "The elk season there is not open yet but we will open a series of depredation hunts that will involve 50 sportsmen so up to 50 of them can hunt in this very confined area, about 40 square miles, where we believe most of these elk are concentrated." The hunts will last for seven days and Fish and Game will likely follow that with another seven day period. The Idaho Elk Breeders Association supports the state's action says Clint Evans. EVANS "Most all elk breeders are members of our association. The one ranch that is in question is not a member of our association so we know very little about what his operation is." 15 domestic elk have been killed so far and Governor Risch says all of them will be tested to see if any disease was present. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott