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There Are So Many Elk In One Colorado County They Can Legally Be Hunted

Elk (Credit: Shutterstock)

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Tim Pearce Energy Reporter
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One Colorado county is holding its first ever elk hunt after herds of the animal grew so large they became a danger to the environment, CBS Denver reports.

Boulder County officials announced last week that, starting on Sept. 11, two randomly selected hunters will be allowed to bag elk in open spaces Monday through Wednesday. The hunting season ends Jan. 31.

Wildlife officials want the hunting policy in place to help manage the 350 elk that are currently squatting in an area known as Rabbit Mountain Open Space.

Normally, elk will migrate from area to area. Experts say this particular herd, however, has remained in one place because hunters are never allowed in the area. The stationary herd has become a small-scale ecological disaster as the large animals trample and eat the vegetation in the area, according to CBS Denver.

In addition to decreasing the strain on the environment, officials also want to encourage the herd to begin migrating again, according to the management plan.

Hunters will only receive tags for cow elk to better manage herd numbers and limit trophy hunting.

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