State to rancher: Elk must be killed

IDAHO FALLS – A domesticated cow elk from an eastern Idaho ranch that is suspected of having red deer hybrid genes must be killed, the state has ordered.

The Idaho Department of Agriculture told Fremont County rancher Rex Rammell Thursday that he would have to destroy the animal to ensure that its hybrid genes could not be passed into the state’s wild elk herds.

Rammell said Saturday he won’t kill the animal himself, but he will allow state officials to do so. They are expected to destroy it Monday.

Even though they can produce larger antlers than pure elk, red deer hybrids are banned in Idaho for fear that they could pollute the gene pool of Idaho wild elk. The wild elk herds are the state’s main hunting attraction and bring millions of dollars into its economy.

Rammell’s cow tested free of red deer genes when he bought the animal in 1997 for his hunting ranch, but since then, genetic tests have improved, said John Chatburn, the agriculture department’s deputy administrator for animal industries.

Although the tests did not confirm the cow has the hybrid genes, they couldn’t rule it out, Chatburn said.

Rammell remains skeptical of the test results.

“They’re asking me to shoot a purely healthy cow,” he said. “Even though they’re not sure she’s positive.”

The cow was one of as many as 160 elk that fled Rammell’s Chief Joseph hunting preserve near Rexburg in August. That prompted Gov. Jim Risch to order an emergency hunt to reduce the chances the escapees would spread inferior genes or disease to wild herds near Yellowstone National Park.

Hunters killed 36 of the elk and quarantined others for genetic testing, including the cow that must now be killed. It was the only one that came back with suspect results, even though Rammell said the cow has had several offspring.

Rammell, who has sold his elk operation, plans to ask the state to reimburse him for the cow, which he says is worth $1,000. He also said he plans to sue the state because Risch’s emergency hunt put him out of business and violated his property rights.