no more elk hoof ashtrays

[wormfood]

just recieved this from the game dept.

WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
Dear Southwest Washington Elk Hunter:

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, at a public meeting held in Olympia on August 8, 2014, approved a new regulation that requires hunters to leave the hooves of any elk taken in southwest Washington on site to help minimize the spread of Elk Hoof Disease, which affects the region's herds. http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/permanent.html#14-07-112 .

Under WAC 232-12-286, it is now unlawful to transport the hooves of harvested elk beyond the site where the animal was killed. A violation of this section is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions. The Game Management Units (GMUs) affected by the new regulation are GMUs 501 through 564 and 642 through 699. You are receiving this email because your hunter reporting and special permit application history shows that you have previously hunted and/or harvested elk in one or more of these areas.

The regulation is effective immediately.

Elk Hoof Disease is a major concern for hunters, area residents, and state wildlife managers.  Minimizing the spread of the disease is a top priority. Evidence to date indicates that the disease involves a bacterial infection similar to those seen in domestic livestock.

For more information on elk hoof disease, see WDFW's recent news release at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jun2314a/ and the department's wildlife health webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/hoof_disease/ .

Other Hunting News …

Keep your eyes open for the 2014 Hunting Prospects, available soon on our website.
Photo Contest! The Department is accepting photos for the 2015 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet Cover Photo Contest. This year's theme is "Women: Hunting Through the Generations". We know that the world of hunting is full of grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. Passing down hunting knowledge through the generations is something that brings families closer and turns hunting experiences into cherished memories. If your family includes women who know a thing or two about the hunt, we want to know about it. Capture a photo of your family experience and upload it at http://wdfw.wa.gov/sharephotos/contest.html .
Want to have a pamphlet in your pocket while you're out hunting?  Download the 2014 Big Game Rules and Regulations straight to your smartphone for only $5.99!  If you have cell phone coverage, this application even knows what unit you are standing in. 
Android Google Play Store:   http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportsmanregs.biggameregs.wa2014_15&hl=en

Apple App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/washington-2014-2015-biggameregs/id874295739?ls=1&mt=8

Sincerely,

Wildlife Program
WDFW  

You have received this e-mail as you are a customer of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Your privacy is important to us. If you no longer wish to receive periodic communications from WDFW, you may opt-out by going to http://wdfw.wa.gov/lists/opt-out.html

[splashcaster]

wow thanks for posting....this really seems like something they should have sent to all hunters, not just those who reported hunting there in the past...unless I just missed the e-mail. I haven't hunted those GMU's in the past but will this year, so thanks for sharing. No dog chews this year I guess.

[BNAElkhntr]

I Just received that email from state  Never hunted there but I've subscribed to the email system Wish they would just make it statewide though

[splashcaster]

I Just received that email from state  Never hunted there but I've subscribed to the email system Wish they would just make it statewide though

hmmm I'll have to check the junk mail then. Either way, glad I found out sooner rather than later.

[DoubleJ]

Maybe they could require hunters to cut them off, bag them up, and have a drop off spot where they could take them and study them or burn them.  Seems leaving bacterial infected parts in the field does nothing to stop the spread

[EyeTooth]

Thanks

[floatinghat]

Maybe they could require hunters to cut them off, bag them up, and have a drop off spot where they could take them and study them or burn them.  Seems leaving bacterial infected parts in the field does nothing to stop the spread

   unless there is a concern it may move to your big toe.

[Stein]

This was more of a surprise to me:

Download the 2014 Big Game Rules and Regulations straight to your smartphone for only $5.99!

Sorry to derail the thread, but you really have to pay to get an electronic copy of the regs?  Really?

[lamrith]

How does leaving hoof in wild stop the spread?  Wouldn't it be better to get the diseased hoof OUT of environment and burn or dispose of in a controlled way?

[TheHunt]

Hmm, I always leave them where it died.  So I would have been in good shape.

[pianoman9701]

Maybe they could require hunters to cut them off, bag them up, and have a drop off spot where they could take them and study them or burn them.  Seems leaving bacterial infected parts in the field does nothing to stop the spread

Apparently, they know all they need to know about, so no need for further study. 

[bobcat]

This was included in the Big Game hunting regulations, page 46 and page 60. So even those who did not receive an email should have already been aware of the new rule.

[splashcaster]

This was included in the Big Game hunting regulations, page 46 and page 60. So even those who did not receive an email should have already been aware of the new rule.

Unless I'm missing something, pg. 46 just says that there might be new rules for SW Washington (not that there were at the time the regs were written) and pg. 60 only applies to elk that actually have hoof disease.

This expands that to ANY elk in the selected gmu's, not just those mentioned on pg. 60 as having hoof disease as of August 8th. I see your point though, I should've been more on top of checking the website listed just in case they did adopt new rules.


Pg. 60 does give support to those who would prefer to have a drop off site to study the disease since it specifically states that animals can be reinfected if the causative baterium persist in the soil AND it states that they don't have enough information about it...it does seem strange then to require them to remain there.

[kentrek]

Ive never understood why people pack them out any how... I mean...pack them all the way home just to throw them away ?? Or even worse yet keep them on while skining....seems counter intuitive to me lol just different ways I guess

[BOWHUNTER45]

Just need to find a new spot if what want hoof soup  Or Astrays !