Thursday, May 8, 2014 - Mason County Journal - Page B-7
WDFW sets comment period for elk plan
STAFF REPORT
news@masoncoun ¢om
I
I
The Washington I De-
partment of Fish land
Wildlife (WDFW) i S ac-
cepting public comments
through June 2 on a draft
Willapa Hills Elk Herd
Plan, designed to guide
future managemeqt of
elk in the southwest cor-
ner of the state. !
I
State wildlife mnag-
ers will also havel two
public meetings t dis-
cuss the draft plan, Which
is posted on WDFW's
website at wdfw.wa.gov/
publications/01592. ]
The meetings i are
scheduled at the follow-
ing locations and times:
• Montesano - i May
13 from 6-7:30 p.rfi, at
WDFW's regional &rice,
48 Devonshire Road I.
• Longview - May 15
from 6-7:30 p.m. at the
Cowlitz County PU D of-
rice, 961 12th Ave. J
i
Written commens can
be submitted at wdfw.
wa.gov/conservatim/elk/
willapa_hills/commlents.
html or mailed to
Willapa Hills Elk Herd
Plan, Wildlife Program,
Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife,
600 Capitol Way! N.,
Olympia, WA 98501.
One of 10 elk herds
in Washington State,
WDFW will consider
comments received in
writing or during the
public meetings in draft-
ing a new version of the
plan for public review.
Final approval, expected
this fall, will mark the
completion of formal
management plans for
all 10 elk herds in the
state.
Photo courtesy of WDFVV
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will have two meetings to
collect comments on its Willapa Hills Elk Herd Plan.
the Willapa Hills herd
is made up of an esti-
mated 8,000 to 10,000
Roosevelt elk that roam
the forested region from
Grays Harbor south to
the Columbia River and
Interstate 5 west to the
Pacific Ocean.
WDFW's manage-
ment plan calls for de-
veloping more, precise
information about the
size and other character-
istics of the herd. Other
key goals outlined in
the plan include main-
taining the herd's size,
improving its habitat,
minimizing crop damage
and addressing the inci-
dence of disease.
The Willapa Hills
elk herd is one of two
herds in Washington
affected by hoof dis-
ease, which has spread
rapidly among elk in
the region since 2008.
WDFW is working with
veterinary specialists
and diagnostic labs to
find what causes the
disease.
The plan also recog-
nizes the importance of
maintaining sustain-
able hunting opportu-
nities, calling for close
coordination between
WDFW and area treaty
tribes in developing
hunting seasons and
planning other manage-
ment activities.
MCSA
This Week
AT THE RANGE
Non-Members Welcome
Memberships Available
May 8, Thursday Winchester .22 Pistol Marksmanship
100 plus rounds Any .22 pistol in safe operating condition.
Self-paced awards based program. $6.00 members $8.00 non-members.
May 9, Friday 6:00 pm Bullseye
.22 Pistol on 6 targets, runs about an hour.
$3.00 for members $5.00 for non-members 60 rounds
May 10, Saturday 10:00 am- 2:00 pm Open Range Day
The indoor range is open to the public, $12.00 per lane. You may share a
lane with another person, one shooting at a time. One paper target with
fee, more available to purchase at $.25 a piece. Please bring all firearms
unloaded and in a bag or box.
May 13, Tuesday 6:00 P.M. Action Pistol League
Move and shoot for .38 special, 9mm, and up. 48 rounds on a mix of
targets, awards after 5 matches. See website for more info.
May 15, Thursday Winchester Defensive Pistol Marksmanship Program
Develop shooting skills with your concealed carry firearm.
50 rounds or more, self paced awards style shooting program. $6.00
members, $8.00 for non-members.
Coming up:
MCSA's popular air gun booth will be participating in the Brinnon
Shrimpfest May 24 & 25, come eat shrimp and shoot for a trophy with us.
Lots to see and do. Follow the signs.
June 7, 10:00 am-3:30 pm First Steps Pistol Class.
Firearm and ammunition provided. Applications and payment information
on the club website. $50.00
We have a fund raising gun raffle, tickets are $2.00 per ticket.
See the gun and buy tickets at Renegade Guns in Shelton, they are open
10am-5pm Monday-Friday or contact a club member.
Did you know: The public is always welcome to participate in any
organizexl event and that MCSA is open every 2nd Saturday from 10am-
2pro for open shooting.
MASON COUNTY
SPORTSMAN' S ASSOCIATION
W. 521 Business Park Rd., Shelton
Message Phone 427-1102
www.masoncountysa.com 1
r
GET YOUR
RECREATION PERMIT
Hunt, fish and explore private
land less than 30 minutes from
Olympia.
Secure your access to bicj game and bird
hunting and fishing on 24,000 acres of forest
land. Motorized permits are only $250.
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