Ithaca 37
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This just arrived today, hot off the press! What do you think should be done?
Group makes its push for game preserve
By KRIS BOYLE
Representatives of a local corporation went before the Bonneville County
Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday night to ask it to approve a
private hunting preserve.
Idaho Wildlife Expeditions, Ltd., requested a special-use permit to operate
the preserve and permission to construct a fence around the property, eight
miles southeast of Bone.
A decision on the request had not been made by press time.
The group wants to turn more than 1,500 acres of its land in Bingham and
Bonneville counties into an elk-and-bison game preserve.
A similar hearing in Bingham County is set for April 23.
Steve McGrath, president of the group, told the commission the company would
construct an 8-foot fence of steel pipe and wire around about 500 acres in
Bonneville County. Elk would be kept on the property from late summer until
early winter, while the bison would be brought in only on request.
McGrath said the group has worked closely with the state Department of
Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
A handful of landowners voiced opposition to the preserve, citing concerns
about the safety of cattle and ranchers on adjacent property, the risk of
introducing disease into surrounding herds and the increase of hunters in the
area.
Ted Thompson has cattle herds on property to the south and east of the
proposed preserve. He told the commission there often are people on his
property managing the herds.
"We feel the safety of the people may be put at risk by such a hunting
operation," he said.
McGrath told the commission that all guests would be accompanied by a guide
and steps would be taken to make sure hunters act responsibly.
"No guest will handle a firearm until it can be determined he can do it
safely," he said.
McGrath said the group is trying to do everything required to open up the
preserve.
"We feel like this is a legitimate industry. This kind of activity goes on in
other states," he said.
Group makes its push for game preserve
By KRIS BOYLE
Representatives of a local corporation went before the Bonneville County
Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday night to ask it to approve a
private hunting preserve.
Idaho Wildlife Expeditions, Ltd., requested a special-use permit to operate
the preserve and permission to construct a fence around the property, eight
miles southeast of Bone.
A decision on the request had not been made by press time.
The group wants to turn more than 1,500 acres of its land in Bingham and
Bonneville counties into an elk-and-bison game preserve.
A similar hearing in Bingham County is set for April 23.
Steve McGrath, president of the group, told the commission the company would
construct an 8-foot fence of steel pipe and wire around about 500 acres in
Bonneville County. Elk would be kept on the property from late summer until
early winter, while the bison would be brought in only on request.
McGrath said the group has worked closely with the state Department of
Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
A handful of landowners voiced opposition to the preserve, citing concerns
about the safety of cattle and ranchers on adjacent property, the risk of
introducing disease into surrounding herds and the increase of hunters in the
area.
Ted Thompson has cattle herds on property to the south and east of the
proposed preserve. He told the commission there often are people on his
property managing the herds.
"We feel the safety of the people may be put at risk by such a hunting
operation," he said.
McGrath told the commission that all guests would be accompanied by a guide
and steps would be taken to make sure hunters act responsibly.
"No guest will handle a firearm until it can be determined he can do it
safely," he said.
McGrath said the group is trying to do everything required to open up the
preserve.
"We feel like this is a legitimate industry. This kind of activity goes on in
other states," he said.
