Post by: time2hunt on January 13, 2024, 08:04:37 AM
Our Mission:
Provide a unified voice for beef producers, promote innovative rangeland and livestock management, protect and preserve the cattle industry in the State of Washington.
Action Needed – Support SB 5892
Dear Washington Cattlemen's Association Members,
Please support Senate Bill 5892 which allows for the harvest of elk out of season and without a tag if they have diseased hooves.
In seventeen Washington counties, elk populations suffer from treponeme-associated hoof disease, impacting not only the elk but also the health of our livestock’s hooves.
SB 5892 recognizes the challenges in managing this disease and emphasizes the role of private individuals in humane treatment and disease control. With proper documentation and reporting, private citizens would be allowed to harvest affected elk out of season and without a tag. This is a three-year pilot program which could provide valuable insights for future management efforts.
The Public Hearing is on MONDAY, January 15, 2024, at 1:30 PM – Please come in person to testify or sign in to testify live over zoom (see below):
Sign in as “Pro” on the senate website. Follow the instructions below, no later than 1 hour before the hearing at 1:30 PM:
1. Click HERE
2. Under the Meetings Drop Down, select 1/15/2024 1:30 PM
3. Click SB 5892 Diseased elk, then select type of testimony (there are zoom instructions on the same page)
4. Choose Position (Pro) then fill in your name, address, etc., and ‘submit’.
If you are not able to testify, you can use the steps above to have your position (Pro) noted for the record, just choose that option.
Your involvement is crucial in making an impact.
Thank you for all you do!
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Post by: HntnFsh on January 13, 2024, 08:32:42 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on January 13, 2024, 08:55:00 AM
Post by: Tbar on January 13, 2024, 08:56:59 AM
T2H- Can you give any specifics why this seems like a good bill? I can give you many real world examples of why it isn't. This is no different than Islees wolf policy positions, an overreach and poorly thought out.
Post by: HntnFsh on January 13, 2024, 09:08:03 AM
Post by: medic6 on January 13, 2024, 09:10:27 AM
Post by: Tbar on January 13, 2024, 09:27:36 AM
Shooting just the limpers doesn’t mediate the exposure risk. Wdfw tried shooting just the limpers, they tried shooting whole herds (toutle).New elk move in and limpers start to appear. If the affected elk are on the property you may have contaminated soil already. No documented elk/cattle hoof rot cross yet, but if it continues it will. I support ranchers and finding a solution but shooting select ones isn’t a viable solution. If science says only elk that limp can spread it, maybe. Sucks for all involved.Cattlemen are well versed in hoof ailments and the treatment. In the industry is a known issue that's been treated for half a century and not cured. There is treatment for domestic stock though.
Post by: time2hunt on January 13, 2024, 09:34:36 AM
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Post by: Lumpy Taters on January 13, 2024, 09:58:01 AM
Post by: CarbonHunter on January 13, 2024, 10:11:16 AM
This is a horrible idea to let private citizens kill elk with no regulations. Every poacher on the planet will claim the elk was limping if they get caught.
Post by: cem3434 on January 13, 2024, 10:13:42 AM
Post by: Fishmaker57 on January 13, 2024, 11:10:37 AM
Post by: HntnFsh on January 13, 2024, 11:12:36 AM
Just another ploy to not deal with the real issue. My guess is this was brought about by the timber industry. Spraying clear cuts has not only caused this issue, but has all but destroyed the Blacktail population. Growing up, finding Blacktail was easy, just go sit on any clear cut. Defy anyone to do that now; nothing but dead grey vegetation as far as you can see!
This is a huge part of the problem.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on January 13, 2024, 11:15:21 AM
This smells like a play by cattlemen to reduce elk populations so they can have more grazing for cattle. Looks like something you might see in Montana by the cattlemen.
This is a horrible idea to let private citizens kill elk with no regulations. Every poacher on the planet will claim the elk was limping if they get caught.
Sounds like an argument that could flip to support taking cattle off elk range. :peep: I agree it would have no benefit in getting back to healthy elk herds.
Post by: Tbar on January 13, 2024, 11:33:16 AM
This is an interesting thought. I think the cattlemen would frown on the shoe on the other foot. Could you imaging shooting range cattle that appeared lame or sick? Makes little sense either way.This smells like a play by cattlemen to reduce elk populations so they can have more grazing for cattle. Looks like something you might see in Montana by the cattlemen.
This is a horrible idea to let private citizens kill elk with no regulations. Every poacher on the planet will claim the elk was limping if they get caught.
Sounds like an argument that could flip to support taking cattle off elk range. :peep: I agree it would have no benefit in getting back to healthy elk herds.
Post by: time2hunt on January 13, 2024, 11:46:49 AM
What is the tribe doing about this issue ? Are they doing any studies or offering any solutions? This is not meant as a jab or stir the pot ! As for hoof rot in cattle we can vaccinate and bring the cattle in a trim hoofs and clean them up.This is an interesting thought. I think the cattlemen would frown on the shoe on the other foot. Could you imaging shooting range cattle that appeared lame or sick? Makes little sense either way.This smells like a play by cattlemen to reduce elk populations so they can have more grazing for cattle. Looks like something you might see in Montana by the cattlemen.
This is a horrible idea to let private citizens kill elk with no regulations. Every poacher on the planet will claim the elk was limping if they get caught.
Sounds like an argument that could flip to support taking cattle off elk range. :peep: I agree it would have no benefit in getting back to healthy elk herds.
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Post by: BA Mongor on January 13, 2024, 03:18:40 PM
Remember that even though these animals have the disease, cows are still being bred and having calves. Someone mentioned that they "WDFW" shot affected elk in the Toutle, they also did it in the Coweeman. Nothing helped. I hate to see these or any animal suffer, but this thing needs to run it's course. It sucks, but it's reality.
Another post mentioned that the State needs to "come clean" about this. There are some really smart people that have been working on finding the root cause, but have nothing more than some possible scenarios that may have caused this. I'm a firm believer that it's not just (1) thing, it's likely a multitude of different things that came together.
I do agree that the use of these chemicals by the tree farm owners can't be and isn't good, but they are a business, and if the chemical is approved by the government they'll use it. Pretty hard to find those grass filled, blackberry strewn side roads that were always loaded with animals. Or the lush clear-cuts that were magnets for every animal.
If this passes, what few elk we do have rebuilding will be reduced significantly :twocents:
Post by: jstone on January 13, 2024, 03:56:51 PM