CANNON BEACH, Ore. (KPTV) – The Cannon Beach City Council is considering options to deal with the growing elk population.
The issue has affected other coastal communities in the past, including Warrenton.
City leaders expressed concern about an increase in elk encounters during a meeting Tuesday. Representatives from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife attended the meeting.
Officials discussed safety concerns, including aggressive elk behavior.
“We’ve had bulls that have gored cars and have attacked humans, pushed them to the ground, pinned them in the ground with their antlers. At that point where there’s like this kind of broad understanding of like that there’s like a public safety issue that individual has been euthanized,” one official said.
In addition to safety concerns, officials discussed property damage and elk becoming too familiar with people, possibly putting the animals in danger.
Possible solutions under consideration include fencing off select areas and creating guidance for homeowners about how they landscape their property.
Copyright 2026 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.