Community members from Asotin, Garfield, and Columbia County came together on Monday to discuss the declining elk populations in the Blue Mountains. Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and county officials.

"Please remind yourself, mind your manners tonight,” said Chris Seubert Asotin County Commissioner. “We're here to get a good discussion going, get the real facts."

Asotin County Commissioners hosted a town hall to discuss concerns surrounding the declining elk population in the Blue Mountain.

"Get the dialogue opened up so we can help with the predator problem, basically is what we're here about, about the elks in the Umatilla National Forest,” Seubert said.

Fish and wildlife’s goal population for Blue Mountain Elk is 5,500. The last two years, the population estimate has been south of 4,000.

Local residents shared that they’ve noticed the decline.

"We are in trouble. Anybody that's spent much time in these mountains knows that,” said a concerned citizen.

Commissioners from neighboring southeast Washington counties and two Fish and Wildlife Commission members were in attendance.

"I think one thing that often is not understood, is that hunters are conservationists,” said a concerned resident.

Fish and Wildlife biologists said they’ve tracked 125 newborn calves and only nine survived a year.

Some believing the main problem is predation.

"If you can't trap, you can't use hounds, and you can't bait bears, you're not going to handle the predators,” said a concerned citizen.

Some in attendance shared concern of the economic fallout if predators turn to livestock. While others said they’re concerned for the safety of people.

"One of the things we're missing here tonight is the safety of our grandchildren, of our kids,” said a resident.