It sounds like someone has a personal problem with the rancher, but that the rancher has a problem with someone also.

But taking this one account and using it to form an opion, I would have to say this: A bear dug a hole, big enough for elk to fit through. Wow, that's one big hole. All of the mans elk escape. Well, the man , not the State, has the responsibility to watch the fencing and fix any holes. There-fore if the elk escape, and they are not tagged ( his other previous problem ), then they become the property of the State Game and Fish comission ( or what ever it is called up there ). If they got out, the man should have been out there right then rounding them back up and getting them back in the fence line of his property. He should have that right, But if he left them out, I think it said 7 days, and made no attempt to get them back, then they are fair game for anyone with a license and tag.

But thats just my opinion.

Good Hunting

God Bless