It has become one of the signs of the changing seasons: the arrival of the elk in farmers’ fields.

Vancouver Island is home to the Roosevelt elk, the world’s largest subspecies of elk, which are native to the Island’s unique rainforest environment.

Although majestic and beautiful to view, farmers say the animals are also a major problem that seems to be brushed aside by authorities. Recently the animals, which usually are in herds of six to 20, have chosen to stay in lower areas such as the farmland in the Cowichan Valley. One of the farms affected, Misty Valley Farms owned by Howie Davis, has been dealing with the damage inflicted by the herds that come onto his land in North Oyster, just north of Ladysmith.

“Just a week ago I had a large portion of my cows end up on Brenton Page Road,

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