Elk Hoof Disease Public Meeting - Wed, May 21st 1-4PM - Please Attend!!

[jongosch]

Hey all,

So no surprise, but WDFW has failed to inform the public that there is a PUBLIC Elk Hoof Disease Meeting this coming Wednesday, May 21st from 1-4pm at the Cowlitz County Museum Meeting Room. That's at 405 Allen St., Kelso, WA. 

This one will be different from the last few in Longview, Cathlamet and Chehalis.  On this occasion the entire Working Group should be on hand and they will be discussing their progress (laughter break) since the last meeting in February.  Along with a half dozen WDFW officials we can expect there to be reps from Weyerhaeuser and DNR, a smattering of scientists, County Commissioners James Misner and Dan Cothren, former Commissioner Axel Swanson, and citizen Mark Smith who has spearheaded much of the campaign to properly investigate elk hoof disease.

Members of the public will have three minutes apiece to address the Working Group and I encourage you guys to get up and speak on whatever topics you're really burning about.  I doubt WDFW is expecting many of us to show so it would be great to sort of ambush them and be relentless with our questions.  Also, some good people from the Washington Forest Law Center will be there as well as a well-known journalist fresh on this case.  It would be great if you all could impress them with your passion, knowledge and desire to see something done. 

We're getting close, guys.  So take the afternoon off from work if you can and ask some tough questions.

Lastly, here's a new video about elk hoof disease that just came out today:  http://koin.com/2014/05/16/hoof-rot-continues-to-plague-elk-in-washington/

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

That's a good catch! Thanks for the info. Hopefully it will be packed with sportsman!!!!

[t6]

I'll be there!  Lets show them that they picked too small of a venue for this serious issue. 

Be prepared to ask questions even if they don't want to give you answers. 

[bbarnes]

I cant stress enough the importance of attending,this event.The future of SW Washington ELK hunting, is at stake here.There needs to be some tough questions ask of the committee,and WDFW.Accountability would be the first thing that needs to happen.We have wild life all over this state dying,whether its the ELK the BIG HORN SHEEP or DEER in Benton county.Are these the right people for the JOB ? In my opinion we need a third party study done,why is the state against it ?Where is all of the results from BESSER and the other Scientists,so the public and committee can see them?Why has there been no LIVE tests,and BLOOD samples taken ? How do the know it lives in the soil,without testing it ?Why have they not looked at FOREST PRACTICES,and the CHEMICALS sprayed there?Why are they trying to pin this on the DAIRY FARMERS and the flood of 06 spreading it? I say get involved or don't complain,about not having and wildlife to hunt.If you cant make the meeting,ring there phone off the hook,or send a email.Also don't reelect politicians that have stood by and done nothing about this problem. 

[pianoman9701]

I'll have to cancel shooting with my little buddy and leave work early, but I think I can make it.

[pianoman9701]

I'll be there.

[Practical Approach]

If you plan on providing testimony, please plan for a fairly short time limit. 

[pianoman9701]

I have no doubt they want to keep the comments limited.

[bbarnes]

Hope all of you sportsman find time,to attend the meeting today.I don't think you will like hearing the information,that will be presented today second hand.

[pianoman9701]

See you there, Bruce.

[t6]

Meeting is underway, Not as many citizens present as we hoped for. 

 Jonker is presenting her powerpoint presentation.  They seem to be ignoring studies that have been presented to them by various groups.  Claiming theres is no evidence of toxicicty but also admit they have not tested any of the samples for toxic chemicals.  It would make sense that you can only find it if your looking for it.  They are not.  Is it neglect or ignorance? 

Jonker claimed that the elk in the effected areas are not showing any signs of diminshed nutrition despite studies to the contrary. 

More to follow as the meeting goes along. 
 

 

[bobcat]

Thanks for the update. Some of us have to be at work. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Curly]

I hope someone asks why they are finally starting to look into the disease that is causing the trouble with elk.  Hoof abnormalities started showing up in the early 90's and a WDFW bio did a study back in '93 and published the study in '96...........with reports of elk limping and abnormal hooves occurring since the 90's, why the apparent lack of concern until now?  Why does it take twenty years of elk suffering for them to start seriously looking into the issue?

Although, they don't even seem to be all that concerned now..........maybe they are, but the impression is that they don't really seem to care.  They turned down help from RMEF a couple years ago and turned down help from a Dr. with very good credentials; the result is an image of a lack of concern.  These public meetings just seem like lip service from WDFW.........I hate meetings; I'd rather they were out doing some work instead of meeting about it.

[fair-chase]

Tagging. Would like to hear how this went.

[pianoman9701]

Good turnout, not great.  The working group itself had only about 4 people asking tough questions or making tough statements. Many of the members are DFW employees with another two legislators present. They had very little to say that i could tell.

Dr. Mora was there and the DFW has finally invited him to attend a working meeting at the DFW in early June. If you recall, he's the CDC specialist with pretty vast experience regarding leptospirosis. He thinks that's what this is. Krystal Davies was also there and has done extensive research which indicates that herbicides are a major player in this. She's a farrier from Cathlamet I believe, and also believes that leptospirosis is part of this.

About 10 or 12 of us had comments. My own had to do with something that Dr. Jonker said which really struck a chord - that they'd cut off  30 permits in two different units for a couple of years because of declining elk populations and when the "agricultural producers" there asked to have them reinstated, the state did so. Wildlife management through landowner wishes. I also asked them how they can claim the meat is safe when they also claim they don't know what the disease is. No answer.

It seems to me that the pressure being bore down upon the DFW is actually having them forced to start looking at things they don't want to - timber company culpability in all this. We need to continue to keep up the pressure. I'll leave more to be said by BBarnes and jongosch. They're animals, both of them. They've done an incredible amount of work on this.
PMan