Attention Elk Hunters!
If you harvest an elk in Washington
Please inspect all hooves and note if, in your opinion, they appear to be deformed or exhibit any abnormalities.
You will be requested to report this information in your annual hunter report to help WDFW understand the distribution and prevalence of treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) in elk in Washington.
What is TAHD?
TAHD causes limping and lameness as a result of abnormal hoof growth, lesions, and, in severe cases, eventual sloughing of the hoof capsule. Research done by WDFW, in conjunction with a panel of scientific advisors, found that these abnormalities were strongly associated with treponeme bacteria, known to cause digital dermatitis, a hoof disease in cattle, sheep, and goats. Although digital dermatitis has affected the livestock industry for decades, TAHD is the first known occurrence of digital dermatitis in a wild ungulate.
Where is it found?
TAHD has been previously documented in Whatcom, Skagit, King County and all southwest Washington counties. The disease is most prevalent in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and the western half of Lewis County. In April 2018, WDFW confirmed TAHD in western Klickitat County, the furthest east confirmation of the disease to date. WDFW has not confirmed TAHD in any other elk populations east of the Cascade Range.
Please remember to inspect your elk harvest for hoof abnormalities and report the observation on your harvest report. By reporting your observations you are directly helping WDFW understand and manage treponeme-associated hoof disease.
Please note...
Elk hunters in western Washington should be aware of recent changes to WAC 220-413-200, which requires hunters to leave the hooves of harvested elk at the site of harvest in game management units 407, 418, 437, 454, 501-564, 568, 572, 574, 578, 633, 636, and 642-699. The intent of this rule is to reduce the spread of TAHD to new locations.
Hoof Disease Information
If you harvest an elk in Washington
Please inspect all hooves and note if, in your opinion, they appear to be deformed or exhibit any abnormalities.
You will be requested to report this information in your annual hunter report to help WDFW understand the distribution and prevalence of treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) in elk in Washington.
What is TAHD?
TAHD causes limping and lameness as a result of abnormal hoof growth, lesions, and, in severe cases, eventual sloughing of the hoof capsule. Research done by WDFW, in conjunction with a panel of scientific advisors, found that these abnormalities were strongly associated with treponeme bacteria, known to cause digital dermatitis, a hoof disease in cattle, sheep, and goats. Although digital dermatitis has affected the livestock industry for decades, TAHD is the first known occurrence of digital dermatitis in a wild ungulate.
Where is it found?
TAHD has been previously documented in Whatcom, Skagit, King County and all southwest Washington counties. The disease is most prevalent in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and the western half of Lewis County. In April 2018, WDFW confirmed TAHD in western Klickitat County, the furthest east confirmation of the disease to date. WDFW has not confirmed TAHD in any other elk populations east of the Cascade Range.
Please remember to inspect your elk harvest for hoof abnormalities and report the observation on your harvest report. By reporting your observations you are directly helping WDFW understand and manage treponeme-associated hoof disease.
Please note...
Elk hunters in western Washington should be aware of recent changes to WAC 220-413-200, which requires hunters to leave the hooves of harvested elk at the site of harvest in game management units 407, 418, 437, 454, 501-564, 568, 572, 574, 578, 633, 636, and 642-699. The intent of this rule is to reduce the spread of TAHD to new locations.
Hoof Disease Information
