Elk farmers weary of their public image have asked the Legislature to form a state domestic elk committee that would promote the industry and essentially squelch Democrats' efforts to ban elk farms.

Sen. Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, introduced a bill Friday to establish the Domestic Cervidae Council and help legitimize an industry under attack by sportsmen's groups and some lawmakers.

The council's primary purpose would be industry public relations - similar to other state councils that represent the potato and cattle industries, for example - and could strengthen elk farmers' political power.

"The elk industry has kind of gone through some rough times, from an image standpoint," Hill said. "The elk industry saw that if they didn't get their house in order, the state was going to step in and start managing."

Elk farmers drew the ire of sportsmen's groups in 2006, when more than 100 elk escaped from an eastern Idaho farm owned by veterinarian Rex Rammell. The incident prompted then-Gov. Jim Risch to order an emergency hunt of Rammell's elk, which led to a showdown between the farmer and the state.

Rammell's elk have since been determined disease-free, but the industry is still reeling from the public relations debacle.

Sportsmen say they're worried illnesses from domestic elk could devastate wild elk populations, and they've raised concerns about the ethics of so-called shooter bull farms that allow hunters to kill trophy elk within enclosures.

Democrats led by Sen. David Langhorst, D-Boise, the assistant minority leader, have tried to ban domestic elk operations in each of the last two sessions, though they're unlikely to succeed again this year.

Langhorst called Hill's legislation "a new surprise bill."

The legislation would levy a $3 fee on each head of domestic elk in the state that could be spent by the council on public relations campaigns. Domestic elk farmers who don't want to participate would be allowed to ask for refunds on their contributions, Hill said.

The bill has the support of the Idaho Elk Breeders Association, whose members would take bulk of the state council seats.

"It's important for everyone to be educated," said Kristy Sternes, the group's president. Since the Rammell incident, she said, anti-elk groups have spread misinformation about the industry that could be combated by the council.

Hill's bill has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Affairs Committee and could soon be discussed.

Matt Christensen may be reached at 735-3243 or at matt.christensen@lee.net.