Lewis River Unit

[kglacken]

I am in the middle of planning a scouting trip down there and with the cost of gas, I would like to make the most of my trip. If anyone has any information on areas to check out or start, please let me know! I understand if you do not want everyone to know about it, so PM me if that is a problem, but I am looking for just very general information. (If you want to give me a hot spot I will take it, but Im not looking for it)  It would be great if I could get some help from others in this area. I will be bow hunting it. I am in shape, training and dieting for elk season, so hiking is no problem! Thanks in advance guys! 

[zoorda]

pm sent

[Shawn Ryan]

pm sent

[bucklucky]

Me too 

[bullcanyon]

Not near the unit it was 4-5 years ago. Not totally sure what has happened, but I'll tell ya it has gone downhill. We got a couple bulls two days apart 4 years ago and had many more screaming.  The following year we seen less than a dozen elk all season in that area.  Been roughly the same since.  My cameras don't get many elk pics either.  Some great elk country.  Hope they come back soon.

[bucklucky]

I used to hunt it before when it was mostly timber. Seems they have been seriouely clearcutting the areas I used to hunt and elk numbers have dropped I guess. I havent hunted it snce 07. Thought About heading back this year .

[Fullabull]

The biggest reason you don't hear bulls screaming anymore is because of the season change. 4 or 5 years ago we could hunt to the 21st or so which allowed us to actually hunt as the prime rut was starting. Now it's all early season hunting so you have to work to get them to respond. There will be no more screaming (especially in crowded areas) we just don't get to hunt that part of the rut any longer. If you can get real remote you might still get some better vocal action but not like when the season went to the 21st.

I think there is still a very good elk population, it has just become a harder hunt because of the early dates. You really need to get good at elk vocalizations to get them to respond to you now. Know what you are saying and what they are saying and you will still have success. You just won't see as many elk as you use to.

[b0bbyg]

First off I am not an expert just will relay what I have seen in the Lewis. 6-7 years and counting. Elk numbers have stayed the same for me. Have not seen more recently than 5 years ago.  Sometimes they move out of a particluar meadow one year but they are still usually in the area, Just got to find them with miles covered.

Most years they are not vocal at all in our area, except last year first day of archery they were bugling and chuckling from sunrise on the first day.

I have a friend that hunts a different part of the Lewis and they have many bulls bugling every year during archery.

[Swatson]

I spend a lot of time in that unit from summer time camping/scouting and in both early archery and rifle season and absolutely agree elk numbers have decreased drastically over the last 5 years!  The earlier archery seasons that we have been having don't help with the bugling but that has nothing to do with me thinking the numbers are down.    That being said we still bugle elk and see elk it's just gotten a lot worse over the last 4 or 5 years.     

[Broken Arrow]

Good spot to start is at 4 corners where 560 and 572 connect. Some good pockets of elk clear down to the river. Don't base elk numbers on vocalization during early archery.

[couesbitten]

Good spot to start is at 4 corners where 560 and 572 connect.

If you're talking about the 4 corners that I think you are (FR60 and Carson-Gular Rd), that is where the 572 (Siouxon) and 574 (Wind River) units meet.

[sneakyjake]

I second the decline in animals.  Also the bugling has taken a nose dive over the last few years.  I don't think the earlier season has made a difference with that.   I used to hear them just fine early on.   I think the cows moved out of my area the last few years taking the bulls with them.  I'm sure other parts of the unit are affected quite differently.  Hopefully it will pick up this year.  Or maybe I will finally draw a nice permit.

[PolarBear]

It use to be my favorite unit to hunt.  We would get into nice bulls every single day.  I haven't hunted it in a few years but my buddies say the same thing that has been said here, a noticeable decline in elk and the quality of bulls.

[kglacken]

Thought i would bump this thread. I have been scouting around and found some decent area. Going to explore the eastern part of the unit now. Looking to find some gated roads to bike into that hold some elk. If anyone has any information they would be willing to share, that would be great!

[ELKBURGER]

Its a big unit. Alot of people pour into it when weyer shuts everything down.