Ontario has taken to heart farmers’ pleas for an elk hunt.

Coyotes, take note — odds are you’re next.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has announced that the first modern-era elk hunt will take place in Ontario in September. This stems from a reintroduction program that has been successful beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.

You could hardly argue with the reintroduction. After all, “everyone can appreciate the intrinsic value of elk,” says the Ministry of Natural Resources on the elk management portion of its website. It calls the animals “majestic,” “an important part of Ontario’s ecosystems and biodiversity,” and a conduit to opportunities for recreation, such as viewing.

But there’s a downside. Whenever humans and wildlife interact, conflicts can arise, says the ministry. And that’s what’s happened with elk.

I  cover the hunt, as well as an effort to standardize the bounty on coyotes, in my Urban Cowboy column in the Guelph Mercury.

The photo above is from the Hinterland Who’s Who website.