GEARHART, Ore. — Elk are a common and popular sight to see at the Oregon coast. Many people living near Gearhart are upset after hunters legally killed 77 elk on one man's private land over the course of three years.
This started when the property owner was having issues with elk destroying his fences on his nearly 50-acre property in Surf Pines, about 20 minutes north of Cannon Beach. The owner contacted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and was granted 77 elk tags between 2020 and 2022. The tags can be filled by the landowner or other hunters who have a valid hunting license, according to ODFW's website.
“The property in question was experiencing damage and as an agency, ODFW is statutory to assist homeowners getting rid of damage,” said Paul Atwood, district wildlife biologist with ODFW.
Ten years ago, Oregon lawmakers passed the Oregon Landowner Damage Program, a law that allows property owners to receive hunting tags from ODFW to hunt elk if they are causing damage to someone’s property.
Many residents are upset because there was no public hearing regarding the granted elk tags, though the landowner damage law doesn't require any public hearings.
“The Oregon Landowners Damage Program requires no public input or public notification. They didn't have to notify anybody,” said Cannon Beach resident Bob Atiyeh.
There’s still a large elk population at the coast but what residents like Atiyeh are concerned about is what this law could mean for the elk population many have come to know and love.
Atwood said they hear arguments from both sides: There are too many elk and they’re causing damage, or people aren't seeing the elk that they expect to see at the coast.
The property owner spoke to KGW over the phone but didn’t want to go on camera. He said that he did reach out to ODFW to see if there was a way they could relocate the herd of elk and was told that wasn’t possible.
Gearhart City Council didn't get involved in this as the property is out of city limits.