Late archery unit 328

[bornhunter]

A WDFW biologist told me the late archery hunt in 328 nov 21st to dec 8 is a waste of time. He said " there is no elk in there that late." Anyone know this to be the case?

[vandeman17]

weather dependent but often times the majority of the unit is sparse at that time of year

[Bone collector 13]

Very weather dependent, plan on hunting it this year though

[PlateauNDN]

  but it doesn't stop some from hunting it. I've seen 2 trucks packed with guys chasing 1 spike or a couple cows. Small numbers but they are there.

[dreadi]

If that’s true, I would suggest asking “Where do they go?” Surely if someone knows there are no elk in a half million acres, they must know where they went.

I’m going to agree with the previous responses. Last year at the end of modern, traffic advisory radio said the elk were running south across 90 east of 328. The weather that day was very windy and snow was coming down fast. Previous to that day we had one hard snow day on Wednesday that left snow for days in higher elevations. This past modern season in 328, it was near 60 degrees everyday in the lower areas near Vantage and high 30’s-mid 40’s near the reserve. I never saw any snow this year either.


As much as we think we know about elk movement, I’ve come to believe that “elk gonna elk”. Meaning, we can’t predict everything.

I hope you both find the true spike you’re looking for.

[bornhunter]

The bio said they head for the reserve which I think is in 329. I am not familiar with ground to the vantage side of the unit. I hunted the general archery season and got into quite a few elk but no shot opportunity. Thanks for info everyone.

[dreadi]

The majority of the reserve is in 328 and there's plenty of access by foot and vehicle to the areas surrounding it.  Check out the Green Dot map for the Colockum here https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/green_dot/ It shows you were the reserve is.

[bornhunter]

Thank you sir. Will do.

[trapp01]

 they drop into west bar for the winter or down in the private property down in the sage on the ellensburg side

[bornhunter]

Ok thanks.

[HoytHunter24]

I have hunted it during late season and if there is snow on the ground the animals have probably already made it down to the private land. However I did cut a few sparse tracks from overnight that were filtering down the mountain. I personally won't hunt there late season again.

[bornhunter]

Appreciate your input Hoythunter. With all the seasons winding down I was just wanting to get out for another hunt before its all over for the year. And I ain't gettin any younger so have to make best of it while I still can. Maybe I will look elsewhere for a late eastside archery hunt for old farts 

[MeSacHappy]

I hope you both find the true spike you’re looking for.

It's open for antlerless as well. I don't think anyone in their right mind would head up there for a true spike only hunt after early archery, muzzy, and modern seasons...there aren't any left. 

Like others have said it depends on the amount of snow. Some years you can find elk up top at 6,000 ft and other years you can't make it a mile up Reecer...most years conditions are somewhere in between.

A WDFW bio telling you it's a waste of time is ludicrous.

MSH

[Waycott15]

Biologist told me the same thing last year about 328. Said to head into 342. Saw quite a few elk in there with little hunting pressure. Wasn’t able to get it done though. Hope that helps.

[bornhunter]

I will look at that unit too. Thank you.