NC Elk Season

[Nantahala Nut]

Anyone else see this yet?  I knew the herd was doing well but did not expect this so soon. Thoughts? Anyone know any landowners with elk around.  I'm not too far from the main herd in Cataloochee but don't know any landowners that way.

"H5. Open an elk hunting season with the following restrictions:
 The season for elk is from October 1 to November 1.
 Hunting is by permit only.
 The bag limit is one per permit.
 Elk may be taken by any legal firearm or archery equipment.
Justification:
There is increased interested in hunting elk on private land in western North Carolina and
population evaluations indicate that the herd can sustain a limited harvest."

[8upbowhunter]

Man thats awesome, I've been to Cataloochee several times and there are some huge bulls in that herd. Hope you can get a permit and access to a place to hunt them.

[mangonboat]

I had not seen that. I know that more than 50% of the elk are now outside GSMNP and private landowners are making a lot of complaints about damage to vegetable gardens. Personally, I think its too soon and, starting with the frequent complaints,  it's mostly a carefully-thought out  money-making scheme by one or more private landowners who will feed the elk all year to keep them coming around then target market one-week hunting leases directly to the handful of folks who draw permits. Finding elk in western NC is closer to the situation in and around Yellowstone Nat'l Park than hunting wild lands .  BTW, I've had a RMEF tag on my car for over a decade and I fully support the idea of a sustainable elk population that reaches huntable numbers in WNC . I just don't think we've reached that point. We have plenty of Nat'l Forest , state game land and private land that is eminently suitable, but most of the elk are still too closely-tied to human activity for food.

From what you posted, it looks like you would have to have a permit to hunt one.

Bisch

[mangonboat]

I went over to the NC Hunt and Fish site and somebody had posted the original announcement of the proposal and one of the goals is to get the elk to develop fear of humans, get them off the roads and out of the gardens. The proposal was adopted last week by the WRC to go to public hearings. They are thinking 4 permits in 2016, most if not all hunting will be on private land and they fully anticipate it will be a money maker for a few locals ,as described in my post above. At $5 per permit, its not a big money maker for the state.
Our WRC game biologist in this end of the state is a smart guy, pragmatic and while I don't think 4 bull elk getting shot in the food plot  where they spend most of their time  will do much to sensitize the rest of the herd, if coupled with some parallel activities to drive them away from agriculture food sources, it could be a beginning point to true hunting at some point in the future.

[Nantahala Nut]

I thought it was too soon as well.  I guess 4 permits won't make much difference.  Your exactly right about the private landowners cashing in. I'm sure their complaints had something to do with this. I wonder what the permit price will be and how much its gonna take to get on the private land.
Elk have been spotted as far south as Balsam on the other side of 23 now.

[The Night Stalker]

I know a lady that owns a farm bordering the park. Her daughter tells me of all the elk damage that is done. On the other hand, my experience with the herd is that hunting them would not be ethical unless it was done with a hammer.

[Jake Scott]

If they are going to do this I for one wish they would do a permit only hunt on public land for elk. This would require opening up the GSMNP, which I doubt would ever happen, but in my opinion would be much more sporting than killing a bull with no fear of humans standing in someone's garden with a mouthful of lettuce.  

I'm also in agreement that it's too early, but I'm no wildlife biologist. I fear that landowners in the right places will charge high trespass fees to those fortunate enough to draw one of the four tags.  

Great post, Barry.  I would very much like to hear from some of the western guys that have more knowledge of elk herd management, tag draws, trespass fees etc.

Jake

[The Night Stalker]

I know a lady that owns a farm bordering the park. Her daughter tells me of all the elk damage that is done. On the other hand, my experience with the herd is that hunting them would not be ethical unless it was done with a hammer.

[Ray Hammond]

But isn't it a blessing, and doesn't it give you a sense of pride, to know we as conservationists brought elk back to NC and created the opportunity to even have this discussion?  

I'm a Life Member of RMEF and spent 8 years on a committee working hard to raise funds for the cause...and feel a sense of pride knowing my small efforts played a role in this, and have been so well rewarded - during my active years in RMEF there were reintroductions to Kentucky, NC, MI, and PA I believe.

As long as science has control of the process, and not politicians, it will get worked out successfully.

[Cory Mattson]

Agree Ray - and we have had many of these successes in our lifetime. Moose - elk - bison - turkeys. But to this hunt 4 bulls taken out would have zero impact on the herd - I hope they get this thing going. Establish they are game - develop the culture. I was up around there around 4 years ago and saw lots of elk then. I remember the first year Maine offered a Moose hunt. Great times.
Cory<><
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[Nantahala Nut]

You are exactly right Ray and thank you for your efforts.  I really thought it would be 10 years before we had this discussion.  This is such a beautiful place to hunt and I can't imagine hearing a big bull rip a bugle on a foggy morning up on the ridges.  Sends chills down my spine thinking about it.