April 2006

Contact:
WDFW Wildlife Program, (360) 902-2515

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 dramatically altered the landscape in an area of southwest Washington that supports a portion of the state's largest elk herd. While the herd- now estimated at 13,350 animals- has largely recovered from the blast, lack of adequate forage is a continuing problem for the sub-population of elk that live on the site of the volcanic mudflow.

In the years after the mountain erupted, sending a wall of mud coursing down the Toutle River Valley, vegetation gradually re-appeared and elk returned to the area. Gradually, however, replanted forests grew taller, shading out low-growing forage plants. The soil's mineral content also was dramatically altered by the eruption, reducing nutrients available to the elk in the plants that grow there.

These lasting effects of the volcano challenge both the elk that range there, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists who manage a 2773- acre state wildlife area to support the animals. These challenges are especially evident when harsh or prolonged winter weather takes a toll on elk that are chronically short on nutritious forage.

A portion of wildlife populations throughout nature succumb normally to winter, when harsh weather takes its toll on diseased or aged animals, or the animals become prey for other species. In a typical winter, approximately 10 percent of a wildlife population may typically succumb. In an especially cold or prolonged winter, especially one that follows milder years, mortalities may be much higher. Mount St. Helens elk that succumb to winter conditions are more readily visible to human observers due to area's open terrain.

In 1999, at least 80 of the 600 elk gathered in the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area died from winter stress. This year, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) also is investigating reports of a smaller number of elk mortalities in the area, following a harsher-than-normal winter.

This year, WDFW conducted two elk-mortality surveys in the area of the Mount St. Helens mudflow, and a third is planned in late April. The first survey, in January, located five winter-killed elk, out of an estimated 626 animals that had been observed earlier in the area. The second survey, in late March, showed another 20 mortalities.

Besides monitoring the elk, WDFW has been actively working to improve conditions for the animals. Department wildlife and lands managers have worked for more than a decade, along with other organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other volunteers, to improve elk habitat and reduce herd population. Those efforts include:

• Improving forage: Since 1990, WDFW wildlife biologists and land managers have improved forage for elk by seeding and fertilizing forage plants, removing weeds and controlling erosion. Much of the work has been conducted with partners such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and local volunteers. More than 700 acres were seeded from 1999 through 2000, although continued shifts in the Toutle River channel and resulting erosion destroyed a large area of the plantings. Since then, grass and shrubs have been planted to stabilize the seeded area and competing weeds, such as Scotch broom, have been removed from more than 200 acres.

• Elk relocation: WDFW and Indian tribes have worked cooperatively to reduce the size of the Mount St. Helens elk herd by relocating 103 animals to the North Cascades. These elk transfers, which took place from 2003 through 2005,were undertaken in part to reduce stress on remaining elk near Mount St. Helens.

• Hunting: In 2004, WDFW re-opened hunting for the first time since the eruption, to reduce the number of elk competing for food in the area. Hunting permits were initially limited to disabled hunters in the area of the mudflow; more recently the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved 110 cow-elk permits and 196 bull-elk permits for 2006 fall hunting seasons. These permits include an additional 30 elk permits- for hunters using modern firearms and muzzleloading rifles- that were approved for two game management units (GMUs) adjacent to the volcanic blast zone:
  • GMU 524 (Margaret unit): Modern firearms permits were increased from 25 to 30 in the Margaret B hunt. Muzzleloader permits were increased from 10 to 15 in the Margaret D hunt.

  • GMU 556 (Toutle unit): Modern firearms permits were increased from 35 to 50 in the Toutle B hunt. Muzzleloader permits were increased from 10 to 15 in the Toutle D hunt.