Post by: wormfood on August 20, 2014, 10:54:01 AM
WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
Dear Southwest Washington Elk Hunter:
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, at a public meeting held in Olympia on August 8, 2014, approved a new regulation that requires hunters to leave the hooves of any elk taken in southwest Washington on site to help minimize the spread of Elk Hoof Disease, which affects the region's herds. http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/permanent.html#14-07-112 (http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/permanent.html#14-07-112) .
Under WAC 232-12-286, it is now unlawful to transport the hooves of harvested elk beyond the site where the animal was killed. A violation of this section is an infraction under RCW 77.15.160, Infractions. The Game Management Units (GMUs) affected by the new regulation are GMUs 501 through 564 and 642 through 699. You are receiving this email because your hunter reporting and special permit application history shows that you have previously hunted and/or harvested elk in one or more of these areas.
The regulation is effective immediately.
Elk Hoof Disease is a major concern for hunters, area residents, and state wildlife managers. Minimizing the spread of the disease is a top priority. Evidence to date indicates that the disease involves a bacterial infection similar to those seen in domestic livestock.
For more information on elk hoof disease, see WDFW's recent news release at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jun2314a/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jun2314a/) and the department's wildlife health webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/hoof_disease/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/hoof_disease/) .
Other Hunting News …
Keep your eyes open for the 2014 Hunting Prospects, available soon on our website.
Photo Contest! The Department is accepting photos for the 2015 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet Cover Photo Contest. This year's theme is "Women: Hunting Through the Generations". We know that the world of hunting is full of grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. Passing down hunting knowledge through the generations is something that brings families closer and turns hunting experiences into cherished memories. If your family includes women who know a thing or two about the hunt, we want to know about it. Capture a photo of your family experience and upload it at http://wdfw.wa.gov/sharephotos/contest.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/sharephotos/contest.html) .
Want to have a pamphlet in your pocket while you're out hunting? Download the 2014 Big Game Rules and Regulations straight to your smartphone for only $5.99! If you have cell phone coverage, this application even knows what unit you are standing in.
Android Google Play Store: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportsmanregs.biggameregs.wa2014_15&hl=en (http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportsmanregs.biggameregs.wa2014_15&hl=en)
Apple App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/washington-2014-2015-biggameregs/id874295739?ls=1&mt=8 (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/washington-2014-2015-biggameregs/id874295739?ls=1&mt=8)
Sincerely,
Wildlife Program
WDFW
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Post by: splashcaster on August 20, 2014, 10:59:21 AM
Post by: BNAElkhntr on August 20, 2014, 11:09:01 AM
Post by: splashcaster on August 20, 2014, 11:12:23 AM
I Just received that email from state Never hunted there but I've subscribed to the email system Wish they would just make it statewide though
hmmm I'll have to check the junk mail then. Either way, glad I found out sooner rather than later.
Post by: DoubleJ on August 20, 2014, 11:37:27 AM
Post by: EyeTooth on August 20, 2014, 11:51:20 AM
Post by: floatinghat on August 20, 2014, 12:25:44 PM
Maybe they could require hunters to cut them off, bag them up, and have a drop off spot where they could take them and study them or burn them. Seems leaving bacterial infected parts in the field does nothing to stop the spread
:yeah: unless there is a concern it may move to your big toe.
Post by: Stein on August 20, 2014, 12:40:00 PM
Quote
Download the 2014 Big Game Rules and Regulations straight to your smartphone for only $5.99!
Sorry to derail the thread, but you really have to pay to get an electronic copy of the regs? Really?
Post by: lamrith on August 20, 2014, 01:12:56 PM
Post by: TheHunt on August 20, 2014, 01:37:06 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 20, 2014, 01:45:38 PM
Maybe they could require hunters to cut them off, bag them up, and have a drop off spot where they could take them and study them or burn them. Seems leaving bacterial infected parts in the field does nothing to stop the spread
Apparently, they know all they need to know about, so no need for further study. :rolleyes:
Post by: bobcat on August 20, 2014, 01:52:21 PM
Post by: splashcaster on August 20, 2014, 02:06:20 PM
This was included in the Big Game hunting regulations, page 46 and page 60. So even those who did not receive an email should have already been aware of the new rule.
Unless I'm missing something, pg. 46 just says that there might be new rules for SW Washington (not that there were at the time the regs were written) and pg. 60 only applies to elk that actually have hoof disease.
This expands that to ANY elk in the selected gmu's, not just those mentioned on pg. 60 as having hoof disease as of August 8th. I see your point though, I should've been more on top of checking the website listed just in case they did adopt new rules.
Pg. 60 does give support to those who would prefer to have a drop off site to study the disease since it specifically states that animals can be reinfected if the causative baterium persist in the soil AND it states that they don't have enough information about it...it does seem strange then to require them to remain there.
Post by: kentrek on August 21, 2014, 03:40:46 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 21, 2014, 04:23:55 PM