Elk north of Cle Elum

[RatherBOutdoors]

These are old pics I took in March of 2006 that I thought you might like.  Just a little drool got on the camera.

[Pygmy]

Great pictures.  Thanks for posting.

Pygmy

[Dan-o]

Cool.

You'd never have seen that before we went spike only.

[floatinghat]

very cool pics thanks for sharing.

[skidynastar33]

Cool.

You'd never have seen that before we went spike only.

What did it use to be and when did it change?

[nwwanderer]

Lots of dropped jaws there, how far had they run?  2006, wolves yet or other cause?

[boneaddict]

Cool.

You'd never have seen that before we went spike only.

What did it use to be and when did it change?

Can't remember the year, but the feeding stations were full of cows, a few spikes and usually no branch antlers, except the remote ones.   It was a good day to spot a branched bull at them.   I specifically remember a bull that showed up at the upper oak creek lot, which they closed down eventually.  You just didn't see them.   Now they are stacked like cord wood.   Big difference!   

[Dan-o]

Cool.

You'd never have seen that before we went spike only.

What did it use to be and when did it change?

Can't remember the year, but the feeding stations were full of cows, a few spikes and usually no branch antlers, except the remote ones.   It was a good day to spot a branched bull at them.   I specifically remember a bull that showed up at the upper oak creek lot, which they closed down eventually.  You just didn't see them.   Now they are stacked like cord wood.   Big difference!

 

He's exactly right.

I remember going to the Oak Creek Feeding Station, and you'd see a thousand cows with a handful of rag horns and maybe not a single mature bull...   at most one or two.

As much as I like to hunt big bulls, it sure is cool to see
the big boys survive a while.

I'm guessing it changed close to 20 years ago.

[RatherBOutdoors]

Lots of dropped jaws there, how far had they run?  2006, wolves yet or other cause?

They weren't in a hurry.  I saw them in a field, pulled over, walked to the fence line and started snapping pics.  They were more spooked about trying to cross the road.  Given it was March, I suspect they were slowly working their way back up into the upper elevations.

[Katmai Guy]

I've got some photos that look the same from about 6-7 yrs ago, just below Hidden Valley Ranch, Close?

[RatherBOutdoors]

I've got some photos that look the same from about 6-7 yrs ago, just below Hidden Valley Ranch, Close?

This was maybe 8-10 miles north of Cle Elum heading toward Wenatchee on 970.

[safehunter]

Lots of dropped jaws there, how far had they run?  2006, wolves yet or other cause?

They weren't in a hurry.  I saw them in a field, pulled over, walked to the fence line and started snapping pics.  They were more spooked about trying to cross the road.  Given it was March, I suspect they were slowly working their way back up into the upper elevations.

 You sure it was March?

[RatherBOutdoors]

Lots of dropped jaws there, how far had they run?  2006, wolves yet or other cause?

They weren't in a hurry.  I saw them in a field, pulled over, walked to the fence line and started snapping pics.  They were more spooked about trying to cross the road.  Given it was March, I suspect they were slowly working their way back up into the upper elevations.

 You sure it was March?

March 5th at noon.  A couple had dropped antlers.  The rest couldn't have been too far behind.

[HuntandFish]

The bulls were east of cle elum most likely. I have the same herd of bulls hang out on our property for a few days out of every month. This year there is some very impressive bulls in the group! Fun to see them around, especially fun to wake up for work and see a group of bulls 10 yards out your kitchen window!!