Pluvius elk with hoof rot

[PLUVIUSWAPITI]

Went out today just to look around, found a small herd of seventeen elk on the pluvius off hwy 6. I was only .40yds from them before I noticed the herd, I was down wind. Sad thing was there were four that had hoof rot. Those four could hardly make it up the hill when they spotted me watching them. First time that I have seen elk in that area with that disease. Other than that great day hiking. Saw five grouse and three deer and found out how far out of shape I am.

[bobcat]

Sounds like we need some wolves in the Willapa Hills to get those elk herds healthy again.   

[SkookumHntr]

thats the farthest west I have heard of it , not good!

[BrushChimp]

First time? Farthest west? Elk in the Willapa Valley have had hoof rot for the past 10 years and now it is really prevalent. I've seen pretty much every herd from Vader to Willapa along the highway. I would say 90+% of the herds have hoof rot. Kinda used to seeing it now. This year, it seemed a lower percent of bulls killed had it though. The year before last, some locals got together with 15 kills just in rifle season and 12 had hoof rot. Two weren't even dealt with as far as meat is concerned. Disgusting and sad...

[SkookumHntr]

I was hoping it was mostly from Pe ell east and south but apparently not. Bad deal!

[grundy53]

ya i hunt in willapa valley and this past season wasn't too bad but '08 was terrible. it seamed like half the bulls you heard about being killed had it. our crew has been lucky we have killed 9 bulls the last 2 years and none have had it. its getting to the point where when you kill one you look at the hooves before the horns...

[AKBowman]

I've hunted Wayyy SW corner of the Willapa 506a and never seen one elk with hoof rot. Hunted 4 straight years. I've asked others that hunt in the area and no one has seen a single case of it. Maybe things will change this year.

Does the meat go bad when they get HR?

[grundy53]

if they have it really bad it ruins the meat... probably cause they have a fever or somthing.

[AKBowman]

Sounds like we need some wolves in the Willapa Hills to get those elk herds healthy again.   

Worse idea EVER!!!! Dont even think it!!!!! 

[bobcat]

I was just guessing that's what somebody in the WDFW is going to be thinking.

[AKBowman]

I was just guessing that's what somebody in the WDFW is going to be thinking.

Yeah thats what I got from it.

Please, please, please say they wouldnt even think of doing something like that. If they did those things would be TOTALLY out of control within 3 years and would eradicate pretty much everything with no way to control them in all that thick stuff.

NIGHTMARE!!!!!!

[grundy53]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildlife/management/gray_wolf/draft_plan/05oct2009_draft_plan_deis.pdf
 
here is their proposed wolf management options. yes it includes sw washington.

[deerhunter_98520]

i hate to say this but there already in north river...i made a cast of a print from a year ago...it was chasing a deer

[BrandonWatts]

hey grundy didnt know you were on here   i saw 4 bulls down opening day last year none with hoof rot. i have seen a could herds here in the last couple of weeks and have seen no sign of hoof rot but they were mainly towards south bend. it hasnt made it that far yet hoping it wont. 2008 season was really bad for the willapa hills about 80 percent of the bulls taken had hoof rot bad. i remember one bull basically had just a bloody stub no hoof left on it at all.

[mrgoodwrench]

i hate to say this but there already in north river...i made a cast of a print from a year ago...it was chasing a deer

I seen em too man!!!! There are wolves all over the North River!! WTF.....you ever heard of a dog chasin a deer??