Risch authorizes shooting E. Idaho elk that escaped reserve

BOISE, Idaho Idaho Governor Jim Risch today (Thursday) signed an emergency order authorizing the "immediate destruction" of more than 100 domesticated elk that escaped from a private eastern Idaho hunting reserve near Yellowstone National Park.

Risch says the farm-raised elk mingling with wild herds could spread brain-wasting disease and hurt the genetic purity of big game animals in Yellowstone.

Risch authorized Idaho Department of Fish and Game officers to immediately begin shooting any domestic elk they find. Also any licensed Idaho hunter or private property owner may shoot the trophy-sized farm elk without a tag under special emergency state hunting rules.

The Chief Joseph private hunting reserve bred the elk to have extra-large antlers and clients paid six-thousand dollars to shoot them.

But their escape was not reported to state officials and Risch says his emergency action is needed to protect Idaho's wild elk herds.