Hoof Rot

Hoof Rot

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
I've said this several times before and I'll say it again, one of the best outfitters for Western big-game hunting, or any hunting for that matter is Mike Jenkins of "Up Front Outfitters". I called him the other day to ask about when some of the seasons begin and then I learned something intriguing. " Mule deer season starts October 11, there are two separate areas, one runs until October 19 and the other area is open until October 26. Our elk season on the west side for Roosevelt opens for rifle November 1 and runs until the 12th or 13th of November. Tell me about Washington elk. Are they huge and abundant? Roosevelt elk are very abundant but of course we have the hoof rot disease which is affecting Southwest Washington's largest elk population. A lot of elk have been dying because of this hoof rot disease. It is mainly on the private timberlands. What is hoof rot disease? There is a lot of speculation as to whether or not it is caused by chemicals and over spraying by the timber companies. Or is it just a rare disease that the animals have gotten over the years. There is no proof either way. It's just kind of strange that on timber company land, all of this has developed. It isn't anywhere else. That is where it started. It's where they are spraying. Roosevelt elk have lived here for 100 years without hoof rot and now that they are spraying chemicals they seem to have it.
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