by Craig
(Downer)
You failed to mention in your Elk Hunting in Utah article that elk have been introduced into habitats not historically occupied by elk. For example, there is no evidence that elk existed on Cedar Mountain historically. And elk were brought in, I believe, to "enhance" Zion National Park. This is having a dramatic impact on these ecosystems, primarily aspen communities as well as private lands.
So while the DWR gets to brag about how "successful" they have been in artificially increasing elk herds, the private land owners and the ecosystem are the one's paying the price while the DWR profits.