Tfinal,
The area that these elk are fed in is just above some of the most productive orchard area in central washington. As the years have gone by more and more land has been put into agriculture such as apples, pears, peaches and cherries, it has taken over potential winter range and the orchardists won't put up with elk in their orchards destroying the trees, fences, etc. This is also near the largest herd of elk in washington.
As far as fair chase, I don't think feeding these elk in winter affects it very much. These elk are usually no where near the feed station during hunting season. They are in some of the most rugged country in the state. One of our mm members had a special any bull muzzleloader license for the "rimrock" area upstream from the feed station, this past fall, hunted almost the entire season, saw some elk, got about plum worn out, but never fired a shot. It is IMHO about as fair chase as it can possibly be.