673, 672, 506, 681 (pacific county)

[Dbax129]

in that costal, sw corner of wa,  Pacific county, Do the elk there live in those areas year round, or are they coming from mount raineer or st. hellens during the winter months?
Any insight would be helpful.  Thanks!

[bobcat]

Those are not migratory elk.

The elk from the St Helen's and Mt Rainier area don't need to go that far.

[dreamunelk]

They are not migratory.  They just alter use with in there home range with the seasons.

[Dbax129]

Thank you.  I have since posting  learned this is called the Willapa Valley heard.  Is this correct?  Also, is it a general rule that elk prefer north facing slopes and benches in the winter or am I mistaken on that?

[Mudman]

 :dunno:From what I have seen you are backwards.  North in hot weather, south in cold.

[bobcat]

I believe it's referred to as the Willapa Hills herd.

[kisfish]

They are here all the time. I see them in the same spots and that changes up when they get some pressure but they tend to run the same area. Are you going to hunt bow or rifle?

[Dbax129]

Rifle.  Probably bow in a year or 2, I've never shot a bow though, and think I would prefer to try rifle first, try to learn about the animals more this year, and maybe pick up a bow eventually.
Ok,  south facing hills more in winter. I suppose that makes much more sense anyway, if they are trying to catch some rays. 

[Mudman]

Dont forget about their food.  Grows better in sun. 

[skywalker253]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

[DoubleJ]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

[deerhunter_98520]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

If youve never hunted here thats an understatement

[Dbax129]

 
that being said, should I expect to only have short range shots, or are there ways to look across from one hill to the other and take a 400+ yard shot on some unsuspecting grazing monster bull?  Do folks use tree stands for elk or is it more about covering ground? Also, there are a lot of clear cuts out there of varying size, do the elk like these areas for food?

[skywalker253]

If you hunt the thick drainages, then plan on a short shot. There are places you can shoot 150 yards in the timber. You can shoot 400 yards in a clear cut, but most the elk hold up in the jack firs or a thick drainage; once the hunting pressure hits. Most of 673 is gated up by Hancook Timber until Sept. You can take the 2200 RD off hwy 101 and it will wrap you all the way around into Raymond/Southbend. It may be open now, but the remaining roads will likely be gated. Buy a mtn bike is my suggestion.

[Dbax129]

Thanks Skywalker.  A mountain bike was actually my plan. 
What are "jack firs" and what is drainage?  I've heard the term, but I have no idea what that feature is.  I assumed it was the low point between 2 steep hills, where water funneled through going down a hill side or something.  probably wrong though