Elk in the Toutle River valley appear to be doing well despite the recent heavy snowfall, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Two weeks ago, two state biologists conducted a monthly elk count at the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area. They didn’t see any dead elk in the area where dozens of elk have starved in previous harsh winters.
The biologists also spotted several groups of elk along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
“All looked reasonably healthy based on behavior and appearance,” according to Sandra Jonker, regional wildlife manager.
During the harsh winter of 2006, more than 60 elk died on the state’s wildlife area, leading to charges that the agency was mismanaging the herd. The following two winters, the department brought in hay bales to feed the elk.
Agency policy calls for feeding elk only after prolonged bad weather and when the population is greater than natural forage on the wildlife area can support.
Though heavy snow has fallen at higher elevations in the past few weeks, overall the winter hasn’t been too severe for the elk.
November and December conditions were exceptionally wet but temperatures were mostly normal and snow accumulations were short-lived.
Temperatures during the first half of January were often below normal, but the coldest weather was combined with dry conditions. Most of February was almost spring-like, with warm temperatures and relatively dry conditions.
The total of 153 elk observed on the wildlife area was relatively few for this time of year, Jonker said. That’s a good sign because elk tend to congregate in the area when snow covers the surrounding hills. On Dec. 6, 370 elk were spotted.
The portion of the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area lying east of a line defined by Hoffstadt Creek, the North Fork Toutle and Deer Creek is closed to public access through April 30 to minimize disturbance to the elk.
