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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Idaho wildlife officials say a wandering herd of nearly 75 elk that created problems for drivers on Interstate 15 in southeastern Idaho has moved on.
The Post Register (http://bit.ly/1zG7dcd ) reports that the herd has moved to the open desert several miles west of the freeway near Roberts.
At least one vehicle struck an elk during the several weeks the herd plagued drivers on both sides of the freeway.
Steve Schmidt of the Idaho Department Fish and Game said they issued hunting permits to hunters to help move the elk to their usual migration route.
Most of the elk were on private property within view of the interstate, meaning hunters needed permission from the landowner before going after the herd. Shooting from roadways is also illegal in Idaho.
Schmidt added that the elk didn't have much incentive to leave on their own because there was plenty of alfalfa, which is "like candy for elk."
"We did not want those elk to think they could just set up camp there, and stay there all winter long," Schmidt said.
The department is now reviewing hunting regulations to determine if it should make adjustments to avoid a similar situation in the future.
"There was probably more than one day where a number of elk at a time were harvested," Schmidt said. "When the group finally decided to leave the alfalfa field and head out west, a number of them also got harvested that day. That's not necessarily a problem, as long as people do it safely."
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Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com
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