Yakima elk herd

[jstone]

The past 6 years I have been hunting elk in the taneum. I get away from other hunters. I cover about 9-11 miles a day. every year I see less and less elk. Is the elk Herd taking a big hit or is it the weather? This year I saw no elk in the early season where I usually see elk. Sometimes I am the only one in camp to see elk? Just wondering if its like this for most? What's the health of the Herd?l

[hughjorgan]

We have been hunting the other side of the ridge in the little naches and some in the Nile, been seeing the same amount of animals most of the time. Some years are better than others. Have you been able to do any scouting? Was there any sign of recent elk activity? I know if I am not finding animals I will get out the topo and go explore a new spot.

[washelkhunter]

Hunted the nile unit for ml deer and elk this year. Conditions were awful but i did get into deer and elk. My partner never saw a hair. We didnt shoot anything. Last year of spikes for me. I cant take the abuse any longer.

[stickbuck]

We have seen a nice increase in elk the last 3-4 years. The areas we hunt are still getting about the same pressure during archery, but we have gone from seeing 5-10 elk a day to 10+ elk a day during our September hunt. It's been a really big surprise since we started hunting it 15 years ago. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that all the clearcuts are now grown up around 20-25 feet and the elk are actually feeling safe enough to bed out there when its not super hot.