New hoof rule for SW Washington elk
Hunters are now required to remove the hooves of any elk they harvest in southwest
Washington and leave them on-site.
The new rule, approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife, is designed to help reduce
the spread of hoof disease that affects the region’s elk herds. It applies to all elk taken
in southwest Washington, regardless of whether they show signs of the disease.
The rule applies to Game Management Units 501-564 and 642-699 in Cowlitz,
Wahkiakum, Skamania, Clark, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Pierce, Pacific, Lewis and
Klickitat counties.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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.
