Idaho Vote

POCATELLO, Idaho - The Idaho Wildlife Federation’s president may support an initiative to ban elk-hunting ranches.
    Kent Marlor, says the failure of the Legislature this year to regulate elk ranches has led him to discuss launching a voter initiative within the Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council.
    The council is made up of some 30 organizations, most of which deal with hunting and fishing issues. Marlor says they are concerned about such things as domestic elk escaping from the ranches, the possible spread of disease and fair-chase ethics.
    Last session, some elk ranchers blocked a plan endorsed by the Idaho Elk Breeders Association that would have licensed elk farms, saying it was a violation of their property rights. More rigorous Democrat-backed plans also failed, such as one to outlaw shooter bull ranches where wealthy hunters shoot bulls behind high fences.
    To place an initiative on the ballot, some 46,000 signatures would be needed. Marlor estimates more would be needed after signatures from people who aren’t registered to vote are excluded.
    If the groups decide to go ahead, they would have until April 30, 2008, to collect the signatures.
    Idaho has 78 ranches that raise elk for meat and antler velvet. Seventeen also allow fenced hunts for trophy bulls.
    Last August in eastern Idaho, as many as 160 elk escaped from the Chief Joseph private hunting preserve that sold trophy bull expeditions behind high fences for $6,000.
    Then-Gov. Jim Risch ordered an emergency hunt for fear the runaways could spread disease to wild elk and damage Idaho’s $300 million big-game hunting economy.
    Forty-three were killed, some were recaptured and others remain on the loose.