Looking for some advice... Modern/westside

[Spuddieselwwu]

First year hunting rifle for elk on the westside. Have been getting some decent cam pics of a decent amount of elk in one of my spots with a few nice bulls...  Unfortunately all of them have hoof rot.  Any high level advice on how to approach them?  Open to suggestions/recommendations.  Thanks in advance.

[rackattack]

I know its probably not what you want to hear, but I would find a different area without the hoof rot.  No way I would eat one of those stinky things.

[444Marlin]

Hoof disease doesn't affect the meat of the elk.  I've eaten plenty of it.  It's fine.

There's some good articles on the WDFW website about the hoof disease.  If you're using attractants or bait for your game cameras, you might be contributing to the problem.

Hunt them like you would any other elk.  Leave the hooves in the woods when you field dress them.

[lastmk8]

Actually the rules no "require" you to leave the hooves in the woods, probably don't want then to get to someone in a lab and discover some tree growing chemical in them.  Anyway, I've heard the same on the meat, but have never had any.  Been hunting westside for a number of years and although I have seen "thousands of elk" over the years, I've yet to see one with the hoof rot.  We have taken seven animals over the last few years and none of them had it either.  I don't doubt it at all as it is to widely reported, we just haven't seen it ourselves.  Used to have cameras in the woods myself, but quit that years ago.  Would love to know "where" you are seeing these, especially being all the bulls you are seeing have hoof rot but I know putting out locations is just a bad plan.  Good luck with your decision, I'm sure it will be a hard one to make.

[Bhunter253]

Agreed.  We've eaten lots over the last 10 plus years. Just as tasty and no issues. Just dont shoot the one that's super skinny and looks close to death... we've had 1 elk that it had  white fluid up into the bottom ofhis hind quarter and the muscle tone was way gone we cut out that meat that the liquid was on and ate the rest no issues.
Where we hunt we've actually been seeing less limpers over the last two years. And we're still seeing just as many elk as ever.

[headshot5]

I'm pretty sure the leaving of the hooves in the woods where they are harvested is to prevent transporting hoofrot into other areas. 

As far as eating a hoof rot bull, I have eaten a few.   Just be aware that WDFW does not reimburse tags for hoof rot elk.  So even if you get one that is deteriorated to a point beyond eating they probably will do nothing for you.

As far as harvesting one, when you get the meat off the carcass a good old fashion smell test works pretty good for determining if it beyond saving.  If the meat is funky, you'll be able to smell it.   Also, physical signs on the animal are a good indicator.  If you can count every rib through the hide, and if the eyes are sunken in, like any other dying animal i personally would not eat it.

Generally when they get that bad, they aren't mobile at all, so if you shoot one that can't get up, or cannot move faster than a slow walk then chances are it won't be worth eating.

I think hoof rot will generally take 3 years to kill off the animal (personal experience).  The first year mild limping, no abnormal antler growth, meat is fine, hoof while still attached is generally elongated a little.

2nd year hoof deterioration is enough that the is barely hanging on and may have fallen off.  Elk moves slower, won't travel as far between feeding and bedding.  Antlers grow with the opposite side from the bad hoof being funky or abnormal looking.  Generally this is the turning point.  About the fall/winter of the 2nd year, you get into a host of other problems besides the hoof disease itself.  This is because the hoof is gone and the elk is fighting infection, and exposure (weather) related.  Ribs start being more prominent due to the body being stressed.  Generally the affected quarter of the elk will be smaller due to the elk not using that leg to bear weight.

3rd year elk is on its way out.  Hoof is gone leg is infected with other bacteria etc.  The elks immune system can't keep up with stress of their environment and fighting infection  Movement is slow, they can't keep up with the herd.  You'll see groups of hoofrot elk by themselves  Antlers are extremely messed up.  This is the elk that looks extremely sick and in general they don't make it through that third winter. 

[bornhunter]

Actually the rules no "require" you to leave the hooves in the woods, probably don't want then to get to someone in a lab and discover some tree growing chemical in them.  Anyway, I've heard the same on the meat, but have never had any.  Been hunting westside for a number of years and although I have seen "thousands of elk" over the years, I've yet to see one with the hoof rot.  We have taken seven animals over the last few years and none of them had it either.  I don't doubt it at all as it is to widely reported, we just haven't seen it ourselves.  Used to have cameras in the woods myself, but quit that years ago.  Would love to know "where" you are seeing these, especially being all the bulls you are seeing have hoof rot but I know putting out locations is just a bad plan.  Good luck with your decision, I'm sure it will be a hard one to make.

I can direct you to a herd of 37 real sick ones with 3 legal bulls in the herd if you want to see what they look like.

[Tinmaniac]

Our rule is don't shoot limpers.SW WA is full of it.My guess is it came from a dirty farm.Cattle farmer had a infected group a didn't take care of it.They either sprayed the poop all over the valley or some of the big floods spread it out for miles.The further you get from that valley the less rot there is.

[griz_64]

Actually the rules no "require" you to leave the hooves in the woods, probably don't want then to get to someone in a lab and discover some tree growing chemical in them.  Anyway, I've heard the same on the meat, but have never had any.  Been hunting westside for a number of years and although I have seen "thousands of elk" over the years, I've yet to see one with the hoof rot.  We have taken seven animals over the last few years and none of them had it either.  I don't doubt it at all as it is to widely reported, we just haven't seen it ourselves.  Used to have cameras in the woods myself, but quit that years ago.  Would love to know "where" you are seeing these, especially being all the bulls you are seeing have hoof rot but I know putting out locations is just a bad plan.  Good luck with your decision, I'm sure it will be a hard one to make.

I can direct you to a herd of 37 real sick ones with 3 legal bulls in the herd if you want to see what they look like.

Local to lewis County Bornhunter?  Ive got a couple in my local herds

[Practical Approach]

If it looks healthy and has a limp, go ahead and shoot it.  The more people that choose to kill non limping elk vs limping elk only increases the prevalence of the diseased elk on the landscape. 

[headshot5]

If it looks healthy and has a limp, go ahead and shoot it.  The more people that choose to kill non limping elk vs limping elk only increases the prevalence of the diseased elk on the landscape. 

Solid advice.     Way to live up to your username. 

[Spuddieselwwu]

Thanks all.  In terms of tactical advice of hunting them... Sit over areas/cuts that I've seen them?  Beat brush and try to find them?  Thoughts with that regard would be appreciated.  My only other westside elk experience with Rifle was a few cow tags that was pretty much a harvest vs. a hunt.

[Lumpy Taters]

Hunt them the same as you would normally.  I would heed the advice of really looking over the one you want to shoot.   The last 4 west side elk we have taken have had some hoof rot on them.  Only mild cases and I have not noticed any difference in the meat.  If its limping really bad or has multiple limbs affected, I would pass on that one and look for another one more healthy. After all who wants to waste all that time to shoot and process a skinny animal.  If you are seeing a large group infected you may need to notify the biologists.  I know that may mean the end of that herd but if could help stop the spreading maybe it would be worth it.   I too have noticed a slight increase the the elk numbers in my area this year so I am hoping its run its course here and we can get back to healthy numbers.   

[bkaech]

Unless you're eating the hooves, don't worry about it. Of course the exception would be the emaciated animal that can barely move, still likely ok to eat just gives me pause if it has any additional maladies.

Biggest piece of advice is that legal bulls usually are no longer with the cows by November. MOST legal bulls are off by themselves in Nov. I recommend finding where the bull is living and sneak through trying to spot it in the brush or up feeding. They are tough to find in November.

[Spuddieselwwu]

Thanks guys, great advice.  I alerted the local wdfw biologist in sept and gave him coordinates of the herd.  Didn’t seem like I was telling him something he didn’t already know.

[HntnFsh]

Our rule is don't shoot limpers.SW WA is full of it.My guess is it came from a dirty farm.Cattle farmer had a infected group a didn't take care of it.They either sprayed the poop all over the valley or some of the big floods spread it out for miles.The further you get from that valley the less rot there is.

Then why didn't hoof rot show up a 100 years ago?
I know when I noticed it start showing up. And it didnt have anything to do with farms.

[Tinmaniac]

I wasn't around 100 years ago And I doubt you were either.They say it started around Boisfort and the surrounding valleys.There are a few cattle farms in that area that are filthy.Basically a giant open sewer hole.Not hard to imagine how animals that came in contact with that area could carry disease up in the hills.Are you saying it's impossible that infected animals carried it around?What is your explanation?

[bkaech]

Thanks guys, great advice.  I alerted the local wdfw biologist in sept and gave him coordinates of the herd.  Didn’t seem like I was telling him something he didn’t already know.

Yah. They know the hoof rot is throughout SW Wa. They like the data so they can track prevalence rates, but they know it’s all over. My brother killed a hoof rot lone bull with his muzzleloader this year. It’s still going to eat well.

[444Marlin]

Actually the rules no "require" you to leave the hooves in the woods, probably don't want then to get to someone in a lab and discover some tree growing chemical in them.

It is required to leave them in the woods. From the WDFW website:

https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/elk-hoof

State wildlife managers are asking for the public's help to monitor and prevent the spread of TAHD in several ways:

Leave hooves: Scientists believe that treponeme bacteria may persist in moist soil and spread to new areas on the hooves of infected elk. For that reason, WDFW requires hunters to remove the hooves of any elk taken in affected areas and leave them onsite. During the 2018-2019 hunting season, this rule applies to all western Washington GMUs.
Report elk: Hunters can help WDFW track TAHD by reporting observations of healthy or limping elk as well as dead elk with hoof deformities using the reporting tools on this page.
Clean shoes and tires: Anyone who hikes or drives off-road in a known affected area can help minimize the risk of spreading the disease to new areas by removing all mud from their shoes or tires before leaving the area.

[444Marlin]

Back to your OP about advice on how to approach them...
Opening weekend tends to have a lot of pressure.  My strategy in high pressure areas are to move quietly into an area, and find a funnel or pinch point to sit where they might move through if they are pushed.  I also like to find the edges of timber and clearings to stalk at first light and the last few hours.  Mid day I watch thick timber patches that are near watering areas.

Use the wind to your advantage.  Sitting still in the rain can be miserable, so I sometimes have a small tarp to sit under and can make a little warming fire.  I typically get inpatient and start walking around.

Later in the season, I don't know where the elk go, but it's probably the deepest darkest piece of timber or vine maple that is impossible to sneak in on without making a noise.  Or private land.  Again, sitting on the edges of those areas waiting for them to get up and move around, might be productive.

[steeleywhopper]

If you are sneaking up on them just walk with a limp and they will think you are another elk approaching. Simple as that, good luck!