Author Topic: Oak creek (Read 9875 times)

JWBINX · « **on:** February 21, 2021, 09:52:02 AM »

Just took a little road trip over to Oak creek feeding station on Saturday.
I would estimate 300 to 400 elk with a lot of really nice big bulls.
No spikes that I saw? Lots of Sheep at Clemans, but all ewes and juveniles. No big rams down that low.
Hiked up Waterworks for about an hour up and definitely saw signs of dead sheep maybe due to Pneumonia?
All in all a really nice day! Sunny with blue skies.

Tracker0721 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2021, 10:53:47 AM »

I went to Oak creek last week and was pretty impressed. Stayed for a couple hours, it’s interesting to note the lack of spike elk, I only saw one. We were gonna go look at the sheep but changed plans. Snowed on us the whole time and didn’t realize my camera picked up the snow better than my eye did.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2021, 12:04:47 PM »

Nice any other pictures?

Dan-o · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2021, 12:53:01 PM »

Quote from: Tracker0721 on February 21, 2021, 10:53:47 AM

I went to Oak creek last week and was pretty impressed. Stayed for a couple hours, it’s interesting to note the lack of spike elk, I only saw one. We were gonna go look at the sheep but changed plans. Snowed on us the whole time and didn’t realize my camera picked up the snow better than my eye did.

I saw that bull there last Tuesday.
He's pretty funky.

Saw a whopping 2 spikes.

Katmai Guy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2021, 02:00:42 PM »

Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched? Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.

grundy53 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2021, 02:14:01 PM »

Quote from: Katmai Guy on February 21, 2021, 02:00:42 PM

Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched? Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.

Usually later

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Katmai Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2021, 02:32:12 PM »

Quote from: grundy53 on February 21, 2021, 02:14:01 PM

Quote from: Katmai Guy on February 21, 2021, 02:00:42 PM
Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched? Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.
Usually later

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Pinetar · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2021, 02:45:25 PM »

There is lots of spike bulls in the Joe Watt feed lot.

JWBINX · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2021, 05:28:58 PM »

Spikes will carry their antlers much longer than branched bulls. There was a very old bull with regressing antlers that is probably lucky
to survive this long into winter. Deep saddled back, low belly, clubbed rack on one side and shrinking on the other side.(not the same bull in earlier picture) and lots of battle scars, Pretty cool! Good to hear that their are lots of spikes in Joe Watt.
Their was no shortage of cows at oak creek.

Patarero · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2021, 09:31:37 PM »

Quote from: JWBINX on February 21, 2021, 09:52:02 AM

Just took a little road trip over to Oak creek feeding station on Saturday.
I would estimate 300 to 400 elk with a lot of really nice big bulls.
No spikes that I saw? Lots of Sheep at Clemans, but all ewes and juveniles. No big rams down that low.
Hiked up Waterworks for about an hour up and definitely saw signs of dead sheep maybe due to Pneumonia?
All in all a really nice day! Sunny with blue skies.

Yeah, wdfw had signs posted about the pneumonia outbreak in the herd. Saw a 3/4 down on the road a couple weeks ago.

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Randysonia · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM »

I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times!

Tbar · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM »

Quote from: Randysonia on March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM

I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times!

What happened? Please enlighten us.

dilleytech · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2021, 09:10:57 AM »

Quote from: Tbar on March 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM

Quote from: Randysonia on March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times!
What happened? Please enlighten us.

Bigger snow fall winters down lower.

dilleytech · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2021, 09:12:10 AM »

I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?

jstone · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2021, 01:03:15 PM »

Going to Ellensburg for breakfast Saturday
Any elk in Joe Watt?

HUNTINCOUPLE · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2021, 02:17:55 PM »

Quote from: dilleytech on April 01, 2021, 09:12:10 AM

I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?

They use to let Boy Scouts in early for the easy ones. Or some type of young folks group?

Alan K · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2021, 03:42:35 PM »

I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.

Mudman · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2021, 04:15:08 PM »

Quote from: Tbar on March 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM

Quote from: Randysonia on March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times!
What happened? Please enlighten us.

Hmm, really? Maybe they migrated to Idaho..

trophyhunt · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2021, 04:22:29 PM »

Quote from: Tbar on March 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM

Quote from: Randysonia on March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times!
What happened? Please enlighten us.

over harvest by local tribes, (jerky man and his crew), predators are another big reason, wolves on top of cougar and bear populations. I would also say part of the blame goes to wdfw handing out way too many cow permits a few years ago. Just my humble opinion.

Mudman · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2021, 04:32:17 PM »

MADMAX · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2021, 06:21:39 PM »

10 years ago
We had much more

Elk
Deer
Salmon
Access

HUNTINCOUPLE · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2021, 07:52:33 PM »

Quote from: Alan K on April 01, 2021, 03:42:35 PM

I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.

I think your right. I was thinking the Wyoming program out of Jacksons Hole where animals are properly managed............

Stein · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2021, 07:59:02 PM »

Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 01, 2021, 07:52:33 PM

Quote from: Alan K on April 01, 2021, 03:42:35 PM
I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.

I think your right. I was thinking the Wyoming program out of Jacksons Hole where animals are properly managed............

Lots of debate on that one. I hunted the elk reserve and got a dose of opinions as well as history and biology. I watched a documentary, if I can remember where I’ll link it.

I’m not smart enough to have an opinion on elk feeding in WY, but do have an opinion on the lack of management back here.

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huntandjeep · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2021, 07:50:23 PM »

Quote from: dilleytech on April 01, 2021, 09:12:10 AM

I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?

The employees pick up the ones that dont get poached and auction them off every couple years .

Then you have the guy that sits on Chinook Pass every day and watches the herd on that side . He then tells his kids where the bulls drop and they go get them at night .

MADMAX · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2021, 08:14:20 PM »

Always a hurray for me guy around
One year I watched some guy with a drone
A lady in the parking lot gave him hell for cheating

Randysonia · « **Reply #25 on:** April 05, 2021, 07:08:13 AM »

Quote from: MADMAX on April 01, 2021, 06:21:39 PM

10 years ago
We had much more

Elk
Deer
Salmon
Access

Then came the Wolf, Sea Lion, Cougar, and Bad Management!

cooltimber · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2021, 07:44:46 AM »

Quote from: jstone on April 01, 2021, 01:03:15 PM

Going to Ellensburg for breakfast Saturday
Any elk in Joe Watt?

They went up the 8th of March,I live in ellensburg and have watched them most of the winter

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Author Topic: Oak creek (Read 9875 times)

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