By Steve Hubrecht
Walk on through, wildlife.
Last week the Pioneer reported on local residents keen to help elk calves that were getting separated from their mothers by a fence. Residents along Elk Horn Boulevard had noticed the situation and were working to install a gate to keep the elk together.
That gate was installed not long after the Pioneer went to press with last week’s issue, and those involved were delighted to update that the gate seems to have solved the problem.
“I am ecstatic. We had what felt like a stampede of elk go through the gate the very first day it was up,” Margot McMaster told the Pioneer. “I think it must have been 30 animals or more.”
Marianne Middelveen added that perhaps 60 elk total have used the gate since it went up.
“They really seem to be getting used to it (the gate) quite quickly, which is excellent. Hopefully when the calves come, the mothers will show the young how they can go through,” said Middelveen.
Elk calving season in the Rockies typically runs from mid-May through to July.
Middelveen expressed gratitude to the contractor who did the work, saying he realized the importance of the situation and “squeezed us in even though he really didn’t have time. It was very kind of him.”
The cost of installing a gate to let the elk through was not all that expensive, explained Middelveen — $300 for the materials (i.e the gate itself) and another $600 to install it. She encouraged other valley residents with fences to consider putting in gates or using wildlife-friendly fencing that is not barbed, and which has the bottom strand at least 18 inches off the ground, and the top strand at a maximum height of 40 inches.
