Metaline Falls / Ione Elk population

[tjsr61]

Went for a bike ride around Washington in July, talked with some locals in this area and they said that the elk where pretty heavy in the area. I am just curious to see what anyones input would be on this. As we didnt really see any on our ttrip

[go4itlab]

supprised the locals even talked to you about hunting, most are pretty tight lipped. Not a lot of elk up there. If your looking for numbers your better off staying on the west side of the state.

[CAMPMEAT]

I know a logger over in Metaline. He told exactly where the elk are......... I guess he must like me.

[JM]

Why would your first instinct be to put a spot that someone tells you about on the internet??? I like reading stories on this site, but a post like this is the bad part of Hunt Wa. and a great way to ruin a spot. I will admit that it's not as bad as the person who posted the picture of the big buck killed in the Thirty mile burn and then told where it was killed.

Let's say just for arguments sake that 5,000 people read this post and 2% decide to hunt this area, that means that 100 more people are going to be up there chasing small herds of elk around in a small area.

I'm not trying to offend you, but I just had to share my opinion on this.

Went for a bike ride around Washington in July, talked with some locals in this area and they said that the elk where pretty heavy in the area. I am just curious to see what anyones input would be on this. As we didnt really see any on our ttrip

[wlandrum]

 

Why would your first instinct be to put a spot that someone tells you about on the internet??? I like reading stories on this site, but a post like this is the bad part of Hunt Wa. and a great way to ruin a spot. I will admit that it's not as bad as the person who posted the picture of the big buck killed in the Thirty mile burn and then told where it was killed.

Let's say just for arguments sake that 5,000 people read this post and 2% decide to hunt this area, that means that 100 more people are going to be up there chasing small herds of elk around in a small area.

I'm not trying to offend you, but I just had to share my opinion on this.

Went for a bike ride around Washington in July, talked with some locals in this area and they said that the elk where pretty heavy in the area. I am just curious to see what anyones input would be on this. As we didnt really see any on our ttrip

[cryder]

or maybe he likes the idea of other peeps being successful,like I always say hunt wa. is a tuff and tight lipped crowd,dont ussally look here for help,most of the time they tell you to find your own honey hole and keep it to yourself,after im successful ill tell the whole world where I got it ,in fact I will drive you there if your up to it,i like being a part of other peeps success,i guess mom was right I,m just special !!!!

[10thmountainarcher]

Doesnt matter where he told you they are the elk move around a lot up there. One day here the next 15 miles away.. it's tough hunting,  if a local told you there were a lot of elk and where they are he was pulling your leg. Im from the area and out of towners are not looked upon there in a positive manner trust me. If u want to hunt the area be prepared to go without killing an animal for years at a time. Be prepared to hunt your butt off in steep thick country and never see an animal possibly.. The wolves have gotten bad up there also making it even worse.

[cryder]

I have some friends that let me hunt up there and I have to agree very tough area  to hunt let alone get something .I did have a great turkey season up there, and did see several deer but they are very timid,probably the wolves I'm guessing ,and don't bow hunt it without a side arm EVER !best of luck and if you have success up there let us know,I for one will not be offended just happy for you,its very tough up there, do more listening than anything they make plenty  of noise up there, I even heard turkey coming towards me,it can be done .

[Expedition Scout]

I agree with 10thmountain. I work and live in the area and the wolves have taken a good hold. Last report I heard is the pack is 12 to 14 strong. That is a lot of mouths to feed. Selkirk Elk Herd reports list 2000 head from Spokane to Canada and Idaho to Columbia River. Lot of land for a few elk to roam. This includes the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge that has been all over the papers lately boasting a quarter of that number!

[JLS]

An any elk season for many years sure didn't help the population grow by leaps and bounds.  Glad to see it by permit for cows now.

[buckfvr]

n.e. elk are here today, gone tomorrow small bands of elk that cover alot of ground..............even if they are there, you probably still wont see them, let alone kill one.

[oldleclercrd]

You know when people ask about the area I just tell em to go find out for yourself. Being so thick up there, you're heard by most of the animals before you ever have a chance to see one. They simply slip out of the area without you ever knowing their there. Like most have said, they make these 7-10 day loops. You may see lots of fresh sign, but they won't be back to that area for at least a week. One more tough thing for people to understand is the fact that these elk simply aren't as vocal as most elk. Why would they want to ring the dinner bell for the wolves? Come on up, but be prepared to hunt a new subspecies of elk.

[10thmountainarcher]

An any elk season for many years sure didn't help the population grow by leaps and bounds.  Glad to see it by permit for cows now.

Archery is still any elk in the NE sir.

[10thmountainarcher]

I agree with 10thmountain. I work and live in the area and the wolves have taken a good hold. Last report I heard is the pack is 12 to 14 strong. That is a lot of mouths to feed. Selkirk Elk Herd reports list 2000 head from Spokane to Canada and Idaho to Columbia River. Lot of land for a few elk to roam. This includes the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge that has been all over the papers lately boasting a quarter of that number!

I guarantee you that there are more then 14 wolves in the area now.  I'm talking I saw wolf sign all over the place up here.  My parents neighbor has a collard black male on his trail camera... He lives 2 miles south of Ione.

[JLS]

An any elk season for many years sure didn't help the population grow by leaps and bounds.  Glad to see it by permit for cows now.

Archery is still any elk in the NE sir.

I was referring to rifle, guess I didn't specify that.