New plan aims to hunt, haze elk herd out of Skagit Valley

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Wildlife managers say they are developing a plan to hunt and haze a growing elk herd this spring in a continuing effort to reduce property damage.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports the plan to hunt and haze, which includes making loud noises to spook the animals, will be concentrated on elk that tend to loiter in the Skagit Valley.

Managers say the members of the North Cascades herd eat feed meant for livestock, break fences and cause other property damage.

State Department of Fish & Wildlife North Puget Sound Regional Director Amy Windrope says the practices could help reawaken a natural sense of fear in the herd.

To date, hunting in damage-prone areas has been allowed for limited, special hunts and in response to landowners filing official damage complaints.

Windrope says that strategy has encouraged the elk to move from one private property to another.