Think you know Elk numbers???

[Boomerboy87]

Do you or have you hunted South West Washington for Elk? I have hunted Elk on the East side of Washington for the first time three years in a row. I could only get bulls within range in a quality bull unit while only hunting cow or spike and have had more encounters with bulls than cows. I am hunting the South West side this year. I was wondering how the population or numbers of herds are compared to the East side?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Depends on what you mean by "southwest"
The Yakima herd has historically been the largest herd in Washington, used to be +/- 14,000....
Now its more like 9,000..
The St.Helens herd was only slightly smaller at around 12,000 and now is about the same (9,000)
If you look at distribution map, pretty much anything South of Mt.Ranier was prime elk, just depending on which side of the PCT you were on.
Willapa Hills and Olympic herds were around 8,000 animals, but hoof rot and other issues probably puts them closer to 6,000 animals.
West-side elk are harder to count because of the forest understory, so population is more of a guess based upon harvest stats and early spring aerial counts.
Also, not all areas will hold the same densities, forage base is a huge determining factor.
Areas that have more open/regenerative growth (clear cuts, deciduous forest, grasses and sedges)  will have more elk than areas that have mature stands of timber with few natural clearings (I say "natural" but mean "not sprayed", as my opinion is that spraying retards regeneration of new growth, and restricts the diet and carrying capacity of the land.
.
You are more likely to see more elk in eastern Washington, you can find elk in South central (Packwood/Adams/St.Helens) or if you get a good spot in Ryderwood/Willapa, you might even find some that aren't limping.
.
Stay away from the coast, no elk there..

[Boomerboy87]

Haha, thanks. I was referring to wdfw's East and West. I am ready to explore new country so either way I'm excited about the West side. The research I've done has shown to have larger herds in the Western part of the state. Thank for you input.

[Skyvalhunter]

Don't always believe what you read.

[Johnny Doe]

Depends on what you mean by "southwest"
The Yakima herd has historically been the largest herd in Washington, used to be +/- 14,000....
Now its more like 9,000..
The St.Helens herd was only slightly smaller at around 12,000 and now is about the same (9,000)
If you look at distribution map, pretty much anything South of Mt.Ranier was prime elk, just depending on which side of the PCT you were on.
Willapa Hills and Olympic herds were around 8,000 animals, but hoof rot and other issues probably puts them closer to 6,000 animals.
West-side elk are harder to count because of the forest understory, so population is more of a guess based upon harvest stats and early spring aerial counts.
Also, not all areas will hold the same densities, forage base is a huge determining factor.
Areas that have more open/regenerative growth (clear cuts, deciduous forest, grasses and sedges)  will have more elk than areas that have mature stands of timber with few natural clearings (I say "natural" but mean "not sprayed", as my opinion is that spraying retards regeneration of new growth, and restricts the diet and carrying capacity of the land.
.
You are more likely to see more elk in eastern Washington, you can find elk in South central (Packwood/Adams/St.Helens) or if you get a good spot in Ryderwood/Willapa, you might even find some that aren't limping.
.
Stay away from the coast, no elk there..

I'd say, YES!  Stiknstringbow knows his WA elk numbers