Early Elk Seasons Open This Week

Some early elk hunts open Wednesday, August 1, most of them anterless "green-field" hunts. The early "green-field" hunts in six elk management zones-Palouse, Salmon, Weiser River, Lemhi, Beaverhead and Pioneer zones-are meant to help landowners reduce crop damage. Early archery and any-elk hunts also start August 1 in the Snake River elk zone. The green-field hunts are open only outside the National Forest Boundary and within one mile of cultivated fields. They help reduce depredation problems and control populations causing crop damage by harvesting or discouraging animals in specific areas or portions of units. August hunts, however, bring concerns about waste. Hunters have an ethical and legal obligation to salvage the edible portions of their kill. But meat spoilage is an important concern during typical hot August weather. The key to preserving meat is starting the cooling process quickly. Game animals should be skinned immediately and quartered in most cases and transported quickly to cold storage facilities. Early season hunters may consider using large ice chests to keep game meat cool and clean. Removing meat from the bones also helps speeds cooling. Hunters are encouraged to review the 2007 Big Game Regulations for additional details.