Compensation Claim for Crops Destroyed by Elk - Instructions

Part A – Crop/Fence Owner Information

Important: If you have never been paid a claim before, you will need to complete and submit a W9 form to the MDA before a payment can be made to you.

• Do not fill in the Claim Number; this will be assigned and filled in by the MDA.
• Complete the owner name, contact phone number, and mailing address.
• If insurance and/or another source will provide compensation for the loss, that compensation must be reported and will be deducted from the claim paid by the MDA.
• Each loss must be reported on a separate form.
• For each loss:
  • Record the county and township in which the loss occurred.
  • Describe the damage and the evidence supporting elk as the cause. Examples include:
    • The condition of the crop
    • Elk tracks
    • The area of the state where the loss occurred
    • Sightings of elk in the area
    • Any other circumstances
  • Record the date the loss was discovered.
  • Record the date the loss was reported to the MDA or an Approved Agent.
  • Record the name of the Approved Agent who was notified of the loss.
    • The current Approved Agent list is available from the MDA.

Part B – Approved Agent Information

• Begin a form when you receive a report from a claimant.
• Do not fill in the Claim Number; this will be assigned and filled in by the MDA.
• Fill in the claimant’s name and your name.
• Record the date that the claimant contacted you to report damage.
• Record the date that you investigated the damage.
  • The investigation must be timely enough to verify or refute elk as the cause of the damage.
• Record the evidence that elk were the cause of damage. Examples include:
  • The condition of the crop
  • Elk tracks
  • The area of the state where the loss occurred
  • Sightings of elk in the area
  • Any other circumstances
  • If there is not sufficient evidence that elk were the likely cause of damage, then record your findings and skip the next step.
• Record the amount of the loss and value:
  • For fence damage:
    • Record the type of fencing.
    • Record the length of fencing (in feet) that must be repaired. Note: Contiguous fence repair or replacement needed to ensure fence integrity may be included.
    • Record the value per foot for this type of fencing using values provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
    • Record the total value of the loss.
• For stored crop damage:
  • Record the type of stored crop.
  • Record the amount of the stored crop that was lost.
  • Record a value per unit of the stored crop using current market price.
  • Record the total value of the loss.
• For standing crop damage:
  • To value the damage before harvest:
    • Record the type of crop.
    • Record the potential yield, per acre, for the field which may be partly based on historical records as well as direct observation of undamaged acres.
    • Record the area of the field, in acres, that has been damaged.
    • Record the potential yield, per acre, in the damaged area.
    • Record the current market price of the crop damaged.
    • Record the total value of the loss.
  • To value the damage after harvest:
    • Record the actual yield, per acre, for undamaged portions of the field which may be based on the owner’s records.
    • Record the actual yield, per acre, for damaged portions of the field which may be based on the owner’s records.
    • Record the current market price of the crop damaged.
    • Record the total value of the loss.
    • Record the number of hours required to evaluate and value the claim.
    • Record any mileage accrued in evaluating and valuing the claim.