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<blockquote data-quote="QuietHunter" data-source="post: 2845" data-attributes="member: 808"><p>This is all me on a soap box, so if you don't want my opinion, move on.</p><p>I have always disagreed with the concept of elk ranching here in Colorado. It takes something away from hunting to see free ranging "wild" elk separated from domestic elk by nothing but a fence. Most of the elk ranches are located in winter ground where elk end up literally across the fence from each other. One herd is wild, and able to be hunted by anyone with a license during the fall. The other herd is penned up, able to be shot (I cannot call that hunting) by anyone with enough money.</p><p></p><p>From what I understand elk ranches make there money three different ways.</p><p>1. They sell the meat. Same concept as raising cattle, just a different crowd. I like the idea that elk meat is something that should be earned or at least appreciated by the effort somebody put into hunting it</p><p>2. They "harvest" the antlers. There is a strong Asian market for elk antler - especially in velvet. This is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is use in other far east "medicines". Typically the animal is not killed for this, but diet is augmented to promote antler growth.</p><p>3. Penned elk hunts. I cannot consider a penned hunt of any kind ethical. It is not a hunt - it is a shoot. Elk are too majestic to be relagated to this kind of hunting. I know some who claim it is the only way handicapped people may be able to hunt, well I disagree. There are many opportunites here in Colorado for those with disabilities to hunt and special allowances made for them. I can give examples in neccesary. Once again, diet is typically augmented to promote antler growth.</p><p></p><p>As for elk ranches being a solution for CWD? Easily 99 percent of the elk in Colorado are CWD free. Colorado still exports elk to other states to create wild herds. They will not need to ever be replenished from a ranch.</p><p>A CWD theory - that may be based in fact:</p><p>Ever wonder why game ranches are spreading CWD? In some cases it may be because of the animals spreading it among themsleves and moving animals between ranches, but I have another thought. To promote antler growth (primary source of $$ on elk ranches), bulls are given a diet hight in calcium and other substances that are needed to increase antler size. This dies includes ground bone meal from other animals including cattle. I heard of a man getting KJD (the human version of CWD) from plant fertilizer high in bone meal, so it is not too much of a reach.</p><p>There is certainly a lot that needs to be learned about this disease, but I am certain that elk ranches are part of the problem, not the solution.</p><p></p><p>Fire away</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="QuietHunter, post: 2845, member: 808"] This is all me on a soap box, so if you don't want my opinion, move on. I have always disagreed with the concept of elk ranching here in Colorado. It takes something away from hunting to see free ranging "wild" elk separated from domestic elk by nothing but a fence. Most of the elk ranches are located in winter ground where elk end up literally across the fence from each other. One herd is wild, and able to be hunted by anyone with a license during the fall. The other herd is penned up, able to be shot (I cannot call that hunting) by anyone with enough money. From what I understand elk ranches make there money three different ways. 1. They sell the meat. Same concept as raising cattle, just a different crowd. I like the idea that elk meat is something that should be earned or at least appreciated by the effort somebody put into hunting it 2. They "harvest" the antlers. There is a strong Asian market for elk antler - especially in velvet. This is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is use in other far east "medicines". Typically the animal is not killed for this, but diet is augmented to promote antler growth. 3. Penned elk hunts. I cannot consider a penned hunt of any kind ethical. It is not a hunt - it is a shoot. Elk are too majestic to be relagated to this kind of hunting. I know some who claim it is the only way handicapped people may be able to hunt, well I disagree. There are many opportunites here in Colorado for those with disabilities to hunt and special allowances made for them. I can give examples in neccesary. Once again, diet is typically augmented to promote antler growth. As for elk ranches being a solution for CWD? Easily 99 percent of the elk in Colorado are CWD free. Colorado still exports elk to other states to create wild herds. They will not need to ever be replenished from a ranch. A CWD theory - that may be based in fact: Ever wonder why game ranches are spreading CWD? In some cases it may be because of the animals spreading it among themsleves and moving animals between ranches, but I have another thought. To promote antler growth (primary source of $$ on elk ranches), bulls are given a diet hight in calcium and other substances that are needed to increase antler size. This dies includes ground bone meal from other animals including cattle. I heard of a man getting KJD (the human version of CWD) from plant fertilizer high in bone meal, so it is not too much of a reach. There is certainly a lot that needs to be learned about this disease, but I am certain that elk ranches are part of the problem, not the solution. Fire away [/QUOTE]
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