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Elk WILDLIFE DIVISION
Regulating harvest, health, and enhancement of wildlife populations
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Reporting Elk Hoof Disease in Oregon

Elk hoof disease – Report online here
Sturgeon Fishing Sturgeon Fishing
Examples of diseased elk hooves. Click to enlarge
-Photos by ODFW-
Sturgeon Fishing Sturgeon Fishing
Examples of diseased elk hooves. Click to enlarge
-Photos by WDFW-

Report Observations of Elk with Hoof Disease in Oregon

ODFW is asking the public for help as citizen scientists in documenting elk in Oregon with a contagious form of hoof disease that is spreading from herds north of the Columbia River in southwest Washington. Please use the online form below to report observations of live elk, hunter-harvested or dead elk showing signs of elk hoof disease that may include lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves.

It may be important for a biologist or veterinarian to contact you for additional information, so please provide a phone number or email address. You may also submit photos or video of lame/limping elk.

If you harvest an elk or locate a dead animal with suspected hoof disease, please take the following steps:

  1. Remove and save the affected hoof/hooves in a plastic bag and place in a cool area for further evaluation by ODFW.
  2. Take digital photos of affected hooves.
  3. Fill out this online form.

Call our toll-free wildlife health lab number at 866-968-2600 or email our veterinarians at Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov to arrange collection of the diseased hoof.

Is the meat safe to eat?

Most elk hoof disease infections are concentrated in the lower leg and there has been no evidence that the disease spreads to other organs of the elk. If the rest of the meat looks normal, the animal should be safe to eat.

Elk hoof disease fact sheet

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Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
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