Littlerock elk herd

[Screaminreelz]

Ok, I know this can and probably will go a thousand directions but I want ask those willing to keep on track what the story is with this heard. I watched nearly 100 elk with more than 26 bulls in it tonight buggleing their brains out chasing cows, showing off their well endowed elk hood and cant figure out for the life of me how this heard is still standing. I assume they pile up there early September and then winter there all the while never leaving. Any locals know if they make it up in the hills to the west? Seems there were quite a few limpers unfortunately. Sad to see but I would rather not have a topic complaining about hood rot and wdfw/state/weyco ect... just want a little history from those who've watched them grow up.

Thanks

[bobcat]

If you hadn't noticed they made archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm seasons all open for antlerless elk this year in 663, because of the expansion of that herd.

[Screaminreelz]

I'm aware, was just curious for some history and hoping for some knowledge to be shared.

[Craig]

THey like to hang out on private property  a lot of the time. I have found  some areas they cross in Capital forest but have never seen them off private property.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

That herd is a culmination of several area herds losing a few animals over the years to form what you see now. The Tenino herd, specifically the ones that ran behind the Alpaca Farm (previously owned by Dan Agnew as Dan-Dar Farms) had several cows and a couple of small bulls that ran the gauntlet over I-5 and ended up over there an up into Capital Forest. Others came from the Lincoln Creek herd as there was a bull that I had seen for a few years that ended up over there. Also, there was a small band of elk running around near the E/D Lines in Capital Forest over quite a few years however there numbers were kept low. This was mostly due to them occasionally crossing over into tribal ground near Gate road that they were getting mowed down by tribal hunters in the fields just off Hwy 12 near the Black River. The other problem is they were just flat out being run around by a few dedicated hunters and quad riders. That area off 113th that they reside in now was made a preserve and since then tend to live there, occasionally sweeping north as far up as almost Black Lake Blvd, but typically stick to private ground. Some decent genetics in there however yes, that herd is rampant with hoof rot, which is a passion/hate issue with me so I will refrain from giving my opinion, lol. Last year the Thurston County SWAT team snipers were used to take out 2-3 'bad' animals. Its a closely watched herd by neighbors.....every year someone tries to sneak in there for either sheds or a chance at taking a shot at one of them and usually they are caught. Between a landlocked preserve by privately owned property owners which closely watch that herd its impossibly for even a calf to be born and not be noticed. Its awesome to see that herd growing, but the question will be to see where some go from that spot if they are forced out by numbers.
To answer your question Screamin', there about 6-8 bulls that are ALWAYS there along with a fair amount of cows. Most of the cows hang out just west of that field into private ground. Some of the younger bulls come from Capital Forest and come down for the September festivities. Every year around winter it seems 1 or 2 young raghorns get tatered by motorists on I-5 too on their attempt to head East. But yes, most of locals either from the west and north directions. It seems the other band of elk on the growth is just to the north of there that run the power lines up to Mud Bay road and also private ground...Im sure they are some of what you've been seeing there as well.
Anyway...that's about the only history I know of that herd and mostly due to watching them for a lot of years...I think its kind of a cool location as I can take my kids out there at most any given morning and at least see a few of the herd members.

[Screaminreelz]

Thank you for that.

I was wondering if those neighboring herds are where some of them came from. I wasn't too far behind when a few of them were tagged on I-5 a few years back. A couple of real nice bulls. They are fun to watch, I took my 8yr old daughter up there last night and she got to hear them bugle and chirp, it was pretty cool.

Thanks again for the info!

[Peewee]

Good job joel