Ideas abound on how to address elk hoof rot

Local officials and residents expressed dissatisfaction with the department's efforts to address the disease commonly known as elk hoof rot. The disease deforms the hooves of elk; they begin to limp and become more and more immobile and eventually die of starvation, disease or predation.

Commissioner Dan Cothren, whose job as a forest security officer takes him around the hills, said the number of elk has diminished significantly in the past few years, and the large number of hunting seasons--from September to February--takes many healthy animals out of the herds. He suggested reducing the number and length of seasons.

"You're killing healthy cows, and you're killing way too many," Cothren said. "They aren't coming back. They're hit hard."

Stuart Moonen, a Skamokawa valley resident, said the number of animals in herds has greatly decreased. "If we see six now, we're excited," he said.

Dr. Boone Mora, a retired public health officer and Skamokawa resident, said the department has incorrectly identified the cause as treponeme bacteria.

Mora believes the cause is leptospira bacteria, but he has been unable to have access to elk to test his theory.

Until the department makes a correct diagnosis, efforts to address the situation will fail, he said.

The department aims to understand the cause of the disease and how it's affecting herds, Norman said. They're trying to understand factors such as the extent to which it's found and how it affects pregnant cows and their calves.

State Representative J.D. Rosetti voiced dissatisfaction with the process and the pace of progress.

The disease has been found in Oregon, and wildlife managers there have taken steps to keep hunters from spreading it through the transport of their animals. However, Washington isn't doing any of that, he said.

Further, the hoof rot work group isn't considering input such as Mora's which is contrary to WFDW biologists' analyses.

"The fact is that the concerns of these people aren't being addressed," he said.

The department is addressing the problem and the citizen's concerns, Norman and Unsworth responded.

"Our number one objective is to contain the spread," Norman said.

The department has had over 200 observers survey elk; they've solicited public input and reports on their website; they're trying to identify the best practices for hunters, and they're considering changes to seasons, he said.

"We're trying to understand enough to get the best tools to manage it," Norman said. "I know it's a lot of study, but in my view we have to understand what's going on so we know what to do."

Unsworth defended the department's work.

They've considered input from Mora and others, he said.

"It's not like we're trying to sweep anything under the rug," he said.

"It's a challenging issue. Wildlife diseases are difficult to deal with. "

He also commented that he has "quite a bit of confidence" in the work of the department's scientists and experts.

"I appreciate the conversation," Unsworth said. "Any wildlife disease is frustrating. We'll keep plugging away at this."