Elk on Windmill area

[baldopepper]

Drove back on I-90 late yesterday and usually see elk on the windmill area, but nothing like there were yesterday.  For about a 2 mile stretch down from Rye Grass summit the north side of the freeway was literally covered with elk. If anyone wants to see a lot of animals, just take a drive over as far as Vantage and watch the north side of the freeway hillsides.  I'd suggest being careful if you drive that area at night when they start crossing over the freeway.

[rougheye]

Dot started using salt on the roads again . Huge problem with elk on the road. I heard they were trying to build a fence

[full choke]

Two weeks ago I had to hit the brakes and swerve to avoid a small herd on I-90 about a 1/4 mile from Vantage. It was super foggy and I was going slow, but it was still nerve racking. Visibility was in the yards. There was a big rig not far behind me, I wonder if he made it through?

[yakimanoob]

Sounds like it's time to patrol for roadkill salvage... 

Stay safe folks.  That stretch of highway is deadly this time of year. 

Is there any talk of putting a land/wildlife bridge right there?  Seems like an obvious spot for one, imho.

[boneaddict]

should be some happy Master Hunters.  THey were all standing on the firing center side the other night. 

[baldopepper]

I didn't stop and count but I'm betting there was well over 1,000 head in that stretch.  I've been driving that stretch for years at all times of the year and I've never seen that many. Must be quite a sight to actually see them crossing the road. (couldn't spot a single set of horns though)

[vandeman17]

be careful of the roundabout exits in vantage. Multiple times I have taken that exit in the dark and had elk standing in the road

[jstone]

Time for a road trip

[Skyvalhunter]

Its good to hear there some decent number of elk around besides ones and twos

[Dan-o]

Its good to hear there some decent number of elk around besides ones and twos

Agreed. 

I love this place. You spend all fall trying to find elk, and mysticaaly they show up here by the hundreds and hundreds. 

I also appreciate that local wdfw watch them closely.

[Moe the Sleaze]

The presence of the windfarm has affected their migration more than usual.  And will continue to do so.  Things have changed in the southeastern Colockum.  Minimal human activity on the windfarm, restricted road access etc.  The elk are naturally drawn there now.  I know there are special permits, but they will have to be increased.  Those elk will likely start hanging at the windfarm year-round too.

[boneaddict]

I thought there was a reserve there.

I know there have been elk there for decades though in large numbers this time of year.  Long before the windmills

[baldopepper]

I thought there was a reserve there.

I know there have been elk there for decades though in large numbers this time of year.  Long before the windmills

Ive seen them there for years also, just never in the numbers that are there now.  There have actually been a few there all summer and fall. I don’t know if they’re going stay or spread back out.

[Moe the Sleaze]

Yeah, I can't prove my theory, its just a feeling I have that the wind farms have drawn greater numbers of elk into that area than before. Maybe they're hypnotized by the spinning blades...

But I agree, there have been some elk there all along, especially this time of year.  Dodged a great many individual animals or small groups over the years driving between Seattle and Spokane.  Never big herds though.

[wheels]

dang missing the mass migration lol