Are other people noticing these things about hoof rot?

[hillbillyhunting]

I drew a quality bull tag this year and have been scouting as much as possible.  It took us a while, but we finally found the bulls (still a little disappointed that this is what i waited 10 years for).  Since i have been focused on the elk i have noticed two things about the hoof rot situation and am wondering if anyone else has noticed the same. 

1)  Some areas in the unit have a higher percentage of hoof rot bulls

2)  Hoof rot is expanding further north than currently documented.  Im talking way further north in units that currently aren't supposed to have hoof rot.

[sirmissalot]

Which tag did you draw?

[hillbillyhunting]

Toutle archery

[Coastal_native]

What units to north?

[hillbillyhunting]

would be willing to say what unit later in the year, but don't want to draw attention to the unit now.  definately north of what i consider SW WA.

[dlaw]

North as in Winston and Mossyrock units?  I have seen numerous accounts of it up there.

[kentrek]

Hasn't there been reports in the nook ?? That's pretty far north

Was just in the toutle yesterday...didn't see a single bull

Good luck

[snowpack]

Weren't there some reports in the Wynoochee?

[motg9_6]

no offense but dont you think that reporting the info so they may actually be able to do something with it is a little more important than keeping a spot secrete for a couple months.
but i guess what the heck their probably just gonna wipe them all out anyways.

[Curly]

Probably on 667.

[hillbillyhunting]

no offense but dont you think that reporting the info so they may actually be able to do something with it is a little more important than keeping a spot secrete for a couple months.
but i guess what the heck their probably just gonna wipe them all out anyways.

It has been appropriately reported.

[PlateauNDN]

Good for reporting but what difference are you expecting from hunters if you say what unit you've seen hoof rot? Are you expecting an influx of hunters to head there? If it's not your permit unit why are you worried about attracting attention there? I'd assume other hunters would second guess going there but who knows....

[hillbillyhunting]

I guess I am just curious if other people have been reporting rot in new areas this year.  We have been scouting this unit as well.  We might end up hunting this general area over the tootle.

[broknt]

Report every case u see. Hoof rot comes from the ground.  If u notice hoof rot is only in places where private timber companies or state lands are logging heavily. Logging practices have changed a ton in the last ten years with heavy pesticide use to kill all undergrowth. Being someone that has grown up around cattle my whole life I believe that this may be the reason for the hoof rot. We need to hold them responsible.

[PA BEN]

New Rule;

WSR 14-17-093
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 14-215—Filed August 19, 2014, 9:43 a.m., effective September 19, 2014]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: This new WAC will reduce the probability of hoof disease spreading from units 501 through 564 and 642 through 699 to other areas by requiring hunters to remove hooves of harvested elk and leave them at the harvest site.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.455, and 77.32.070.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 14-14-052 on June 25, 2014.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: August 19, 2014.
Miranda Wecker, Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
NEW SECTION
WAC 232-12-286 Reducing the spread of hoof disease—Unlawful transport of elk hooves.
(1) It is unlawful to transport the hooves of harvested elk beyond the site where the animal was killed in Game Management Units 501 through 564, and 642 through 699.
(2) Violation of this section is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions.

[billythekidrock]

I drew a quality bull tag this year and have been scouting as much as possible.  It took us a while, but we finally found the bulls (still a little disappointed that this is what i waited 10 years for).  Since i have been focused on the elk i have noticed two things about the hoof rot situation and am wondering if anyone else has noticed the same. 

1)  Some areas in the unit have a higher percentage of hoof rot bulls

2)  Hoof rot is expanding further north than currently documented.  Im talking way further north in units that currently aren't supposed to have hoof rot.

I have seen elk with hoof rot in 667 and have heard that it is in 663 & 666.

[Katmai Guy]

Just an ignorant comment, but it seems some of issues like this (hoofrot, hairloss) started when they started putting processed crap on the ground in the treefarms.  Thoughts?

[headshot5]

Just an ignorant comment, but it seems some of issues like this (hoofrot, hairloss) started when they started putting processed crap on the ground in the treefarms.  Thoughts?

The hairloss is caused by lice  http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/hair_loss/.  They (lice) are reportedly from Asian/European deer and antelope, and were transimitted to deer in U.S.

So far, all indications are that hoof disease in elk is caused by bacteria.  There are many folks who feel that hoof disease can be directly tied to chemicals used on timber ground in WA. State.  As of now this has not been proven.  Only time will tell.