Elk hunting permits reduced for Mount St. Helens

OLYMPIA — Elk hunting permits around Mount St. Helens have been reduced by 400 for this fall by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The Mount St. Helens elk herd has been reduced by 25 percent to 30 percent, largely through elevated permit levels started in 2007.

The herd was thought to be too large for its habitat capacity.

The commission increased big-game permits available for elk in the Colockum and Yakima herds, plus for whitetail deer in northeast Washinton.

Permits for the Colockum herd were increased from 374 to 1,016. Permits were approved for 130 more bull elk and 1,440 more antlerless elk from the Yakima herd.

Deer in northeast Washington are rebounding from the harsh winter of 2007 and 2008, so 120 antlerless permits will be available for youth, senior and disabled hunters.

The commission also reduced the cost of a second deer tag from $68 to $43.40 and the price of a multi-season deer tag from $182 to $139.10.

Dave Ware of the Department of Fish and Wildlife said the reductions are to encourage participation in certain hunts.