West Klickitat Late Muzzle Elk Hunt

[KDB]

Anyone notice that the regulations have changed for the late muzzle elk hunt in West Klickitat-578.  First 5 days are 3 pt. or better or antlerless. The second week is bulls only. Not sure why they made the change.

[Bunny Thumper]

Guess their more concerned with supplying the local ranchers with depredation tags so they can sell them for profit and kill elk all winter into the spring.

[HAGEMANIAC]

Anyone notice that the regulations have changed for the late muzzle elk hunt in West Klickitat-578.  First 5 days are 3 pt. or better or antlerless. The second week is bulls only. Not sure why they made the change.

$$$

[Dark2Dark]

Anyone notice that the regulations have changed for the late muzzle elk hunt in West Klickitat-578.  First 5 days are 3 pt. or better or antlerless. The second week is bulls only. Not sure why they made the change.

I can’t remember what it was before. Wasn’t it something similar? Just longer?

[Bulldozer77]

I saw that too. assuming it's to reduce harvest. there were 53 cows taken in there during the late muzzleloader season last year and 72 in 2018. that's a pretty big hit on that herd in the two years that they've opened it for antlerless. Not sure if that's why but it seems logical 

[birddogdad]

not the animals we had years ago there in 578, or even up above in 560 right now... not sure if there was a big winter kill  or the herd is just moved off somewhere else..

last year they were shooting hoof rot animals in trout lake too..

wont even discuss potential of wolves 

all adds up..  i can say from experience , population there is WAY down from 5 years ago.

[Bulldozer77]

not the animals we had years ago there in 578, or even up above in 560 right now... not sure if there was a big winter kill  or the herd is just moved off somewhere else..

last year they were shooting hoof rot animals in trout lake too..

wont even discuss potential of wolves 

all adds up..  i can say from experience , population there is WAY down from 5 years ago.

  I agree with all of this too

[elksnout]

not the animals we had years ago there in 578, or even up above in 560 right now... not sure if there was a big winter kill  or the herd is just moved off somewhere else..

last year they were shooting hoof rot animals in trout lake too..

wont even discuss potential of wolves 

all adds up..  i can say from experience , population there is WAY down from 5 years ago.

Five years ago? Those areas 560, 578 and 574 used to be the place to be no matter the weapon for elk. Need to go back fifteen years ago to have seen decent hunting. Damn sad.

Elksnout

[BUTTER]

This time of year 10 years ago youd see 500 head in the valley now your lucky to see 40. Herds dieing and will only get worst. Wolves this wolves that cats are doing the majority of the killing up there.

[BUTTER]

Remember also this coming year could be a real change as 70 percent of the places people would consider worth elk hunting is now Reservation.

[dilleytech]

Remember also this coming year could be a real change as 70 percent of the places people would consider worth elk hunting is now Reservation.

Can you explain a little?

[BUTTER]

Court rules Glenwood is under Yakama jurisdiction - The Goldendale Sentinel
https://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2019/09/04/news/court-rules-glenwood-is-under-yakama-jurisdiction/12137.html

[dilleytech]

Court rules Glenwood is under Yakama jurisdiction - The Goldendale Sentinel
https://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2019/09/04/news/court-rules-glenwood-is-under-yakama-jurisdiction/12137.html

Interesting. I didn’t see where the land would be handed over to the tribes just that lt gives them criminal jurisdiction.

[444Marlin]

I don't know if that qualifies as 70% of anywhere worth hunting for elk in the unit.  I hunted up there before the decision and I wasn't impressed.  I don't feel like we're missing any of the best parts of that unit.

The herd in that area has been impacted by a lot of things:  hoof rot, bad drought and wildfires (mostly in the area across the road in the 560), an over-allocation of cow tags,and subsequent tough winters.

I think they should eliminate all anterless tags and late season hunts for that area and the 560 for a few seasons, and maybe put it as a draw only if that doesn't help.  I've personally stopped hunting that area because I think we should give it a rest.

[BUTTER]

I dont think anyone fully knows what will happen once the tribe fully has it. Yes I agree it needs a rest those elk dont get a break from darn near the beginning of Sept till Dec. We complain about predators and some will be upset with this opinion but I feel as if these units and many others are over hunted. 560 in the wilderness used to be one of the best tags in the state now id say its borderline so so there is still some good bulls around no doubt I seen a few last season hit the floor but there rare nowadays. I personally quit have switched areas and am hunting elsewhere out of state.