are there any elk in 505 mossyrock

[Bunnell]

I have spent the last seven days in the north side of 505 and have yet to see an elk or really any sign that they even exist. Kinda like hunting for bigfoot. Anyone have any help

[bobcat]

I don't think there's many on the north side, and the few that are around are very likely on private land that is not open to the public. You might find more at the southern boundary on private timberlands.

[tonymiller7]

Hunted Mossyrock for over 20 years at one point and maybe saw elk 5 times. 

[Soady]

Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW  in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.

[Eagle eye]

I agree with Soady, We've hunted that area for about 15 years, used to be some good Elk hunting. Spent time in the early season this year and never seen ELK, went up last Saturday and didn't see any fresh sign. Will be hunting a new area next year!

[splitshot]

   nope,  mike w                                                                                                                                                                                I really don't know

[BullMagnet76]

Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW  in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.

 

I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy.   

[zoorda]

We just spent 5 days hunting the 505 and the 503, we saw no elk and only one set of tracks the entire time. We did see a lot of deer though. One of the guys in are group thought he saw a white tail doe, I wouldn't believe it except I saw a deer last year that I was 90% sure was a whitetail in the same area.

[fishinmike]

Start talking to the landowners. Over the 20 or so years of hunting that area, most of the dairy farmers will allow you to hunt their land. Go up during the off season and get to know some of them. Offer to help with some chores, they really appreciate the help. IMO, the elk numbers are way down and predator numbers a lot higher. The ranchers really appreciate you taking care of the critters that cause them problems. Be polite and it will usually get you a long ways.

[Soady]

Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW  in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.

 

I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy.   

Start talking to the landowners. Over the 20 or so years of hunting that area, most of the dairy farmers will allow you to hunt their land. Go up during the off season and get to know some of them. Offer to help with some chores, they really appreciate the help. IMO, the elk numbers are way down and predator numbers a lot higher. The ranchers really appreciate you taking care of the critters that cause them problems. Be polite and it will usually get you a long ways.

As released in 2012 a District 10  news letter from Pat Miller District Wildlife Biologist:
Big game populations in Cowlitz and Lewis counties were influenced by late spring storms in 2013. The survey index that was conducted for winter elk mortality showed high loss in 2012/2013, indicating a reduction in yearling animals and some loss of older animals as a result of the winter conditions. The influence of these winter losses may impact elk numbers for a few years as the reduced recruitment impacts the population over time.

Anyone care to guess what this 2013 severe cold weather is going to reflect on the 2014 newsletter?
In addition to 2013 for both Winston/Mossyrock a grand total of 458 antlerless permits, would any one care to predict the percentage of harvest?

If this does not paint a bigger picture then I guess we can just continue to talk to land owners. Here is a challenge, ask any of those land owners if "talk ever pulled a stump" most likely they will tell you no. In order to pull a stump you have to keep digging at it to get to the roots. Judging from the above stats those are "the roots" of a great decline both in elk numbers and lost hunter opportunities.
 

[fishinmike]

I am not arguing the fact that there are a multitude of problems with these elk herds. I was only offering some help as where to maybe try to find some elk that may still be in the area.

[KB88]

Haven't seen elk up there in 8 years now. However, the last group of 8-10 I saw there were all cows and one masher 7x7.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

go in off longbell road!

[Elk whack master]

Zoorda sent ya a pm

[griz_64]

 :dunno:r

Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW  in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.

 

I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy.   

Bet i could guess the rough area of that co worker lol