Elk in and around Olympia?

[razzanof]

This morning, while driving around trying to kill time with my kids (my wife was at the doctors), I drove up near Black Lake.  At one point, I saw an "Elk Crossing" sign.  Just wondering if I have a chance of actually seeing elk (not necessarily hunting but rather showing my kids) in that area?  It's amazing to me to think that there may be elk living less than three miles from the city!

[dreamunelk]

Really good. 

[Curly]

Yeah, there is a large herd that hang out on the USFWS refuge property by the black river. 

[bullkiller]

Yeah. Go down 110th Ave sw.  You will see that herd.  They are almost always there.  Think last time I went by there were about 8 or 9 legals and around the same amount of spikes. 

[razzanof]

Thanks, everyone!  As I said in my original message, it is amazing to me that elk are this close to Olympia.  (Perhaps it is my eastern mindset!)

[Torrent50]

There is a herd that crosses Delphi Rd near Mud Bay regularly as well.

[Stump]

Nice herd off Military Rd by the recycle plant. Organic Springs.

[Billy Fudd]

Hey bull killer-

All those elk are legal if they are ranging out of that preserve.  Deschutes is an any elk area.  So is Capitol peak.  Doesn't have to be 3 point or better. 

[bobcat]

The Capitol Peak GMU (663) does have the 3 point minimum restriction. But you're right about Deschutes (666). It does not have the 3 point restriction. But, the problem is there is no public land to hunt in 666.

[Billy Fudd]

Thanks for the correction.  Has that changed in the last ten to fifteen years?
And yes agreed about the private land in deschutes.

[razzanof]

Thanks!  Just drove out to 110th Ave with my 3-year old daughter.  We saw a herd of about 100 elk.  She hasn't stopped talking about them!

[billythekidrock]

This morning, while driving around trying to kill time with my kids (my wife was at the doctors), I drove up near Black Lake.  At one point, I saw an "Elk Crossing" sign.  Just wondering if I have a chance of actually seeing elk (not necessarily hunting but rather showing my kids) in that area?  It's amazing to me to think that there may be elk living less than three miles from the city!

They are only there a couple months out of the year, but they can often be seen at daylight and just before dark. The rest of the year they are at 110th.

[billythekidrock]

Yeah. Go down 110th Ave sw.  You will see that herd.  They are almost always there.  Think last time I went by there were about 8 or 9 legals and around the same amount of spikes. 

And lots of hoof rot.

[Martinhunter]

Yep right outside littlerock, there's a big herd that hangs out. Lots of bulls in it too bout they stay on the refuge land, they'll all die of either old age, cars or preditors. It's cool to go take the kids to look at though. Last time I was there in October they were very vocal, it was pretty cool to watch.

[Craig]

This is right of Delphi rd.