Feb 19, 2007 6:27 pm US/Mountain
Udall Opposes 'Elmer Fudd Style' RMNP Elk Hunt
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP) ―
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Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park
CBS
Rep. Mark Udall has introduced a federal bill that would make it clear that the National Park Service has the authority to allow hunters to thin the elk population at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Udall says the park is overpopulated with elk, and allowing qualified hunters to work with the Park Service to kill some of the elk would save taxpayer dollars.
"The question is not whether the Park Service plans to shoot elk to reduce their numbers it does. The question is whether it has the authority to allow qualified Coloradans, specifically those who have hunting licenses and who meet certain qualifications, to do the shooting," Udall said in a prepared statement. "My bill would make it clear that the laws pertaining to Rocky Mountain National Park do not prevent the Park Service from doing that.
"This bill does not declare open season Elmer Fudd style in Rocky Mountain National Park," Udall said in the release. "It makes sure the Park Service has the authority to allow qualified Colorado sportsmen and sportswomen to participate under strict guidelines in the elk management plan for the Park."
The bill says the Park Service is considering allowing 100 to 200 elk to be killed annually over 20 years, or 200 to 700 elk for four years and then 25 to 150 per year for 15 years after that.
The bill has been assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee where Udall is a member.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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