SB 5474 Would Create Year Round, Unlimited Season on Hoof Rot Elk

[Rainier10]

Doesn't sound like a solution to the problem to me.

Sounds more like a solution that creates more problems.

[Whitpirate]

There is a change in the works because it is an enforcement mess. I think what will end up happening is a permit system where any LEO can issue a salvage permit to a person. No more self reporting.

That's what I am hearing as well. People aren't being honest so now WA could be like other states where an actual permit needs to be issued by an LEO before the animal can be taken.

People don't have all day waiting for an officer to come to the scene. Keep online reporting, and officers come to the address of salvage person to issue tag/permit.

They could easily issue a permit number over the phone and that number could be checked by other LEOs if they are stopped.  Basically only requiring a phone call be made before removing the animal from the scene.

Who's they? WDFW doesn't have a 24 7 communication center

I'd say write an app that can be loaded on phones but we've seen their amazing prowess on software design on the new site so I'd suggest smoke signals.

[Bob33]

The current theory is that the affected elk have treponeme, which is considered contagious. My suspicion is that this effort is being proposed to reduce the overall herd population, however indiscriminately, to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

[baker5150]

There is a change in the works because it is an enforcement mess. I think what will end up happening is a permit system where any LEO can issue a salvage permit to a person. No more self reporting.

That's what I am hearing as well. People aren't being honest so now WA could be like other states where an actual permit needs to be issued by an LEO before the animal can be taken.

People don't have all day waiting for an officer to come to the scene. Keep online reporting, and officers come to the address of salvage person to issue tag/permit.

They could easily issue a permit number over the phone and that number could be checked by other LEOs if they are stopped.  Basically only requiring a phone call be made before removing the animal from the scene.

Who's they? WDFW doesn't have a 24 7 communication center

I can think of other 24/7 comm centers that could handle it, 911 or local PD's, Sherriff's office, state patrol.  Technically the accident needs to be called in anyway right?  So why not use the system in place?

[Mudman]

Ban timber spraying and allow burning again.  In time elk will recover as land recovers.  It took 30 years for this to happen and will take time to heal.  As long as spraying continues we can kiss our elk goodbye in the long run.  For those who don't know what treponoma is google it.  Its a bacteria which naturally lives in dirt.  So why is it a problem now???

[bbarnes]

The state legislature won't fund a study or a live animal study,but they will authorize the slaughter, of our state elk herd.Ask yourself how many elk ,will be left in the woods if this bill passes.How these people get elected,is what is amazing to me.This is a bad idea.

[Mudman]

The state legislature won't fund a study or a live animal study,but they will authorize the slaughter, of our state elk herd.Ask yourself how many elk ,will be left in the woods if this bill passes.How these people get elected,is what is amazing to me.This is a bad idea.

That's because they don't want the truth public!  Or the liability. 

[dreamunelk]

Actually the legislature has funded.  It is being done scientifically.  There has been several peer reviewed studies published on it.  The hang up is a few people with their personal agendas that have done nothing but throw a wrench in every effort.  All you need to do is go back and read the handouts and minutes from some of the meetings to see who the nut cases are.

[bbarnes]

I've spent countless hrs with all of the positions and governors office on this issue.im also the one that got the hoof rot committee formed I'm pretty up to speed.

[bbarnes]

The hearing on this bill is next Tuesday the 7 th.i just called senator persons office and let them know this was a bad idea.i would encourage all members on this sight to do the same.

[Practical Approach]

This is a poorly written bill.  It does not take into consideration that there have always been many types of hoof deformities and diseases that are not necessarily treponeme related.  These animals are not contagious and would be shot indiscriminately.  Not to mention elk that have injured themselves naturally.  Hoof disease has already been documented in southwest Washington State,  North West Oregon, eastern Oregon, Skagit Valley, Skokomish Valley and likely is already in many other parts of our state.  Having an obligation to shoot limping elk by state employees and citizens with licenses would by severely detrimental to the herds in our state.  This is another case of a legislator trying to do the right thing without taking the time to educate himself on the issue.  Sorry for bad spelling, spell check didn't work. 

[Bob33]

These animals are not contagious and would be shot indiscriminately.  Not to

What is your basis for stating they are not contagious?

[Practical Approach]

Some hoof issues are not contagious such as an injured hoof or slipper hoof,  hoof overgrowth due to long habituation of soft wet pastures or fields.  I would say these are not contagious and do cause an elk to limp. 

[Bob33]

Some hoof issues are not contagious such as an injured hoof or slipper hoof,  hoof overgrowth due to long habituation of soft wet pastures or fields.  I would say these are not contagious and do cause an elk to limp.

You may be right, but I think you will have a hard time convincing legislators that is the case as it conflicts with the information provided by the technical advisory group.

"Treponeme-associated hoof disease in elk is infectious, and can be spread among elk through exposure to the bacteria that is associated with the disease. "

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/oct1716a/

[Mudman]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4290963/