MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Wildlife managers say they are developing a plan to hunt and haze a growing elk herd this spring in a continuing effort to reduce property damage.

The plan to hunt and haze, which includes making loud noises to spook the animals, will be concentrated on elk that tend to loiter in the Skagit Valley.

Amy Windrope from the Department of Fish & Wildlife says the members of the North Cascades herd eat feed meant for livestock, break fences and cause other property damage. She’s hoping their efforts will help reawaken a natural sense of fear in the herd.

Hunting in damage-prone areas has been allowed for occasional special hunts and in response to landowners filing official damage complaints.

But Windrope says that strategy has only encouraged the elk to move from one private property to another.