A herd of elk that farmers are calling “the night raiders” have been wreaking havoc in Park County, Wyoming, hay and barley fields. They’re always gone before daylight, so hunters can’t shoot them.
Wyoming wildlife officials on Monday told legislators that elk are smart enough to figure out places to go where they won’t get shot, and that’s contributed to the overpopulation of the species in the state.
Columnist Cat Urbigkit writes, "Although much attention is paid to livestock losses from large carnivore attacks in Wyoming, information prepared by state wildlife officials indicates that the state is paying out nearly an equal amount for wildlife damage to cultivated crops."