- How can I report diseased wildlife that I observe?
For diseased wildlife, contact the WDFW Wildlife Health Section of the Wildlife Program at (509) 892-1001 ext. 326. WDFW has re-established a hotline to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties in order to monitor lead poisoning. People can call (360) 466-4345, extensi ...
- How do I get an animal tested for rabies?
The decision of whether or not to test an animal for rabies is made by state and local public health authorities after consideration of the circumstances surrounding exposure to a potentially rabid animal. If you are bitten by an animal or believe that you may have been exposed to rabies, conta ...
- Can I get a replacement big-game tag if my animal is diseased?
Yes, but you will need to contact your local Fish and Wildlife Officer Wildlife Biologist, or take the entire animal to a WDFW Regional Office in order to do so. Expect to surrender the antlers or horns of your big-game animal to WDFW, and to have to dispose of the carcass. Once approved for re ...
- How widespread is the elk hoof rot and/or elk hoof deformation problem in Washington?
Elk with hoof disease have been observed in Southwest Washington since the mid-1990s. This problem is most apparent in the lower Cowlitz River Valley in game management units (GMUs) 504, 530, 520, and 550, although it has also been observed in GMUs 506 and 556. Hunters and other observers are e ...
- What is the status of hair loss syndrome in deer?
Hair loss syndrome in black-tailed deer was first described in western Washington in 1995. The condition is caused by a heavy infestation of Eurasian louse in the genus Damalinia (Cervicola) sp. The normal hosts of this louse are European and Asian deer and antelope which are not seriously affe ...
- How do I get my animal tested for chronic wasting disease?
WDFW continues to test for chronic wasting disease in the eastern one-third of Washington. If you harvest a deer or elk east of the Columbia River and you want to get it checked for chronic wasting disease, you can contact WDFW at (509) 989-6224 to arrange for a sample to be taken. Test results ...
