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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

February 6,

Game Division

Mount Saint Helen's Wildlife Area Elk Mortality Survey– The first ground survey of the Mount Saint Helen's Wildlife Area was completed last week. The purpose is to search for elk mortalities as a gauge of winter severity. WDFW Wildlife Area Manager Calkins, Wildlife Biologist Woodin and Toutle High School Science Teacher Cal Buker were assisted by 14 Environmental Studies students in a partial search of the Toutle mudflow area.

The process involves walking each zone and visually inspecting the entire area for elk carcasses. Each mortality is inspected to determine age, sex, and condition of the animal. The location is also documented using global positioning system (GPS).

Four of eight zones on the mudflow were searched for mortalities. those zones were selected based on their previous history of containing higher numbers of elk mortalities. Five mortalities that had been previously discovered were documented. No additional mortalities were found.

Potential Hoof Rot in Elk– A few reports of elk having feet shaped like "elf hooves" have occurred recently in Cowlitz County. In one case the hoof was collected and will be submitted to Washington State University for analysis. Hoof rot has not yet been proven by analysis to occur in Southwest Washington, although it has been suspected for some time. In addition to misshapen hooves, symptoms of this condition include limping and eventually inability to get up and walk.

Three Year Hunting Season Package– District 10 provided input this week on damage hunts in the northern portion of the region. The Wildlife enforcement program develops hunt proposals that are reviewed and approved by the Wildlife Program to deal with elk damage in various part of the SW Washington. New hunts of '06 will continue to emphasize the long duration, short intensity type of hunting program that has been successful in the Gray's River area.

Goose Season Wind-up– Travel trailer was returned to the Merwin Hatchery after use at the Ridgefield Marina. Data entry is still taking place for this years season but harvest does not look very high. The reduction in cackler bag limit is probably the reason.

Aircraft Safety– District Wildlife Biologist Miller participated in an Aircraft Safety Committee meeting in Ephrata. There were several unresolved issues from the discussions at the recent Program school and we attempted to resolve these issues plus edit the SOP. Meeting went reasonably well and a new draft for Administrative review will be produced soon.