Post by: bbarnes on August 25, 2013, 07:37:43 AM
Thank you for your interest and willingness to serve on the Public Hoof Disease Working Group.
The prevalence and geographic scope of hoof disease in elk in Southwest Washington has increased significantly. Understanding this issue is a priority and WDFW is committed to the sound management of these important resources. Understanding which type of hoof disease in elk is present and what the possible cause is will provide a better understanding of how it is occurring. WDFW biological and veterinary staff have been working with veterinary experts throughout the country, and abroad, to develop sampling and testing plans for identifying the cause of hoof disease in southwest Washington elk to better understand the causes and effects of the hoof disease phenomenon seen in western Washington elk herds. We are expectant that this effort will provide further information and insight to the issue of hoof disease in Southwest Washington and guide future management efforts.
WDFW is establishing the Public Working Group as we believe it is important to work together as we try to better understand and address this issue. The purpose of this Working Group is to provide the opportunity to share information about the hoof disease phenomenon, discuss research and management questions with regard to hoof disease, and public outreach.
I have pasted a Doodle Poll link below with potential dates and times for our first meeting. We would like the first meeting to be in person so that folks have the opportunity to meet each other, but also understand travel and time limitations, so we will have phone capability as well. The first meeting will most likely be held in Vancouver, with subsequent dates, times, and location to be determined as a group.
Please indicate your availability at the link below:
http://www.doodle.com/ru6kwedgk3b32nrs (http://www.doodle.com/ru6kwedgk3b32nrs)
Once folks have provided their availability, I will follow-up with details about date, time, and place that will work for most members.
I have included a list below of the people invited to serve on the Working Group for your reference:
Name
Affiliation
James Misner
Cowlitz County Commissioner
Daniel Cothren
Wahkiakum County Commissioner
Axel Swanson
Clark County Senior Policy Lead
Tom Davis
Farm Bureau
Dr. Wayne Clifford/Dr. Ron Wohrle
WA Department of Health
Dr. Tom Besser
Washington State University
Mark Smith
Local resident/business owner
Bob Schlecht
SW Land Access Coalition
Barry Armstrong
Sierra Pacific
Mike Rochelle
Weyerhaeuser
Brian Anderson
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Curt Gavigan
Senate Natural Resources
Jerry Nelson, Kristin Mansfield, Sandra Jonker
WDFW
I look forward to hearing back from you and thank you for your participation.
Take care,
Sandra.
Sandra Jonker, Ph.D.
Wildlife Program Manager, Region 5
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
2108 Grand Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98661
Tel: (360) 906-6722
Fax: (360) 906-6777
email: sandra.jonker@dfw.wa.gov
Post by: Crunchy on August 25, 2013, 07:50:18 AM
Post by: jumpin on August 25, 2013, 08:09:34 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2013, 08:10:14 AM
Post by: bearpaw on August 25, 2013, 08:14:49 AM
Post by: haulinbass on August 25, 2013, 09:28:00 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2013, 11:58:23 AM
I could be wrong but has the thought ever occurred that this hoof rot might have something to with private timber companies and all the sprays they use and exposure tothe wildlife. Dunno just thinking big timber companies that charge for access to hunt public elk on private land might wanna join in and try to resolve this issue. :twocents:
They have people working on this with the state/feds. They're listed in the original post.