Three Spots Proposed for Loowit Elk Hunt
By Allen Thomas, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.
Jul. 26–State and federal wildlife officials are proposing three special, limited-entry elk-hunting areas in the Loowit game unit on the north side of Mount St. Helens beginning in 2008.
The three areas would include the Pumice Plain south of the North Fork of the Toutle River, upper Smith Creek and Mount Whittier.
In the proposal, hunting would be limited to graduates of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s master hunter program. They would be selected in a random drawing. Only modern firearms could be used, and the emphasis would be on killing cow elk.
Tom Mulder, manager of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, sent out a letter earlier this month seeking public comment on the proposal. The Forest Service would like comments back by Tuesday.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest and state Department of Fish and Wildlife are partners in an aggressive program to reduce the number of elk in the Mount St. Helens herd, hoping to cut the population to better fit the carrying capacity of the habitat.
This year, the wildlife agency issued more than 1,600 additional antlerless elk permits in game units around the volcano.
Two winters ago, more than 60 elk died north of Mount St. Helens. Last winter, a feeding program was initiated by the state to prevent a reoccurence.
“The elevated number of elk is having a negative effect on the ongoing recovery of vegetation communities within the Mount St. Helens blast zone,” Mulder said.
State wildlife officials would determine the number of permits for each elk area. The season is expected to be from mid- to late October, Access would be walk-in only off of existing open roads. No motorized vehicles or livestock would be allowed.
No overnight camping would be allowed inside the monument, except at established campsites such as in the Mount Margaret backcountry. Hunting might be limited to weekdays to lessen potential conflicts with hikers and other monument visitors.
The Mount Whittier elk area would be east of Coldwater Lake to trail No. 214. The upper Smith Creek hunting area would be south of Windy Ridge road No. 99 south to Ape Canyon.
The Forest Service does not allow off-trail hiking in the Pumice Plain.
Participants in the special hunt would be issued a permit for off-trail access during the two-week permit season.
As many as three others would be allowed off-trail to help retrieve a downed elk.
The Forest Service may prepare an environmental analysis if public comment results in significant issues.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.
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