Late season antlerless help

[Elk_Guapo]

Hey folks, I've hunted deer in Eastern Washington for about 35 years, but when it comes to elk, I'm still trying to put it all together. 

This year, with the help of a couple game cameras, I feel like I learned enough about a particular spot to draw up a decent game plan for next season.  However, I've actually still got a couple more days to fill my antlerless elk tag for this year.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding cows.  I've been seeing bulls consistently for the past 10 days, but they're either solo or in a bachelor herd.

What I'm trying to understand is whether cows are likely to be in the same vicinity as bulls right now, considering the recent snow and cold weather, or if cows have already begun to migrate out of the areas I'm in (Naches, Tieton, Cowiche, Wenas, as well as between Cle Elum and Kittitas). 

I stopped by the Oak Creek feeding station this afternoon, and saw several hundred animals, so I imagine the draw of easy food isn't helping my situation.  Although, maybe it could if cows are simply at the lower elevations of their winter range (ie: private farmland), and it's just a matter of getting access?

As much as I'd like to figure out elk on my own, I'm not too proud to ask for help.  And if there was ever a year to do it, this is it for me, since I lost my buck to bone sour.   

I'd really really appreciate any advice or assistance y'all are willing to provide!

[hunter399]

Hey folks, I've hunted deer in Eastern Washington for about 35 years, but when it comes to elk, I'm still trying to put it all together. 

This year, with the help of a couple game cameras, I feel like I learned enough about a particular spot to draw up a decent game plan for next season.  However, I've actually still got a couple more days to fill my antlerless elk tag for this year.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding cows.  I've been seeing bulls consistently for the past 10 days, but they're either solo or in a bachelor herd.

What I'm trying to understand is whether cows are likely to be in the same vicinity as bulls right now, considering the recent snow and cold weather, or if cows have already begun to migrate out of the areas I'm in (Naches, Tieton, Cowiche, Wenas, as well as between Cle Elum and Kittitas). 

I stopped by the Oak Creek feeding station this afternoon, and saw several hundred animals, so I imagine the draw of easy food isn't helping my situation.  Although, maybe it could if cows are simply at the lower elevations of their winter range (ie: private farmland), and it's just a matter of getting access?

As much as I'd like to figure out elk on my own, I'm not too proud to ask for help.  And if there was ever a year to do it, this is it for me, since I lost my buck to bone sour.   

I'd really really appreciate any advice or assistance y'all are willing to provide!

What is I lost my buck to bone sour?
What GMU are you hunting .
Weapon
Regular permit,or depredation permits.

Some info might peak someones interest to help.

[brokentrail]

@hunter399  definition from the google machine...

Basically, bone sour is when the carcass does not cool fast enough and bacteria explodes within, rotting the meat from the bones outward. This most commonly occurs in larger animals like elk and moose, but it can happen in deer, too. There is no way to fix or salvage the meat.

[hunter399]

@hunter399  definition from the google machine...

Basically, bone sour is when the carcass does not cool fast enough and bacteria explodes within, rotting the meat from the bones outward. This most commonly occurs in larger animals like elk and moose, but it can happen in deer, too. There is no way to fix or salvage the meat.

Thanks did not know that.
Never had a problem cooling meat down . Probably why I've never heard of it.

[TeacherMan]

Pretty much once the elk decide to migrate they leave the middle to high country behind! It can be crazy frustrating n cause you’re right they are all over the private ground down low. I’ve thought many times late tags are for private farms. But if you can get access you’ll literally kill it.

As for bone sour, the bigger the critter the worse it can be.

[Elk_Guapo]

Hey folks, I've hunted deer in Eastern Washington for about 35 years, but when it comes to elk, I'm still trying to put it all together. 

This year, with the help of a couple game cameras, I feel like I learned enough about a particular spot to draw up a decent game plan for next season.  However, I've actually still got a couple more days to fill my antlerless elk tag for this year.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding cows.  I've been seeing bulls consistently for the past 10 days, but they're either solo or in a bachelor herd.

What I'm trying to understand is whether cows are likely to be in the same vicinity as bulls right now, considering the recent snow and cold weather, or if cows have already begun to migrate out of the areas I'm in (Naches, Tieton, Cowiche, Wenas, as well as between Cle Elum and Kittitas). 

I stopped by the Oak Creek feeding station this afternoon, and saw several hundred animals, so I imagine the draw of easy food isn't helping my situation.  Although, maybe it could if cows are simply at the lower elevations of their winter range (ie: private farmland), and it's just a matter of getting access?

As much as I'd like to figure out elk on my own, I'm not too proud to ask for help.  And if there was ever a year to do it, this is it for me, since I lost my buck to bone sour.   

I'd really really appreciate any advice or assistance y'all are willing to provide!

What is I lost my buck to bone sour?
What GMU are you hunting .
Weapon
Regular permit,or depredation permits.

Some info might peak someones interest to help.

GMUs:  328, 334, 335, 342, 368
Weapon:  rifle
Permit:  regular

As to the bone sour, it was my first archery buck, and I pulled the shot and hit him in the shoulder right around sunset.  Tracked the blood trail for a few hours until it ran cold.  Found him the next morning, but when I cut him open, I was greeted by green-tinged meat and the stench of rotting meat.

[hunter399]

Hey folks, I've hunted deer in Eastern Washington for about 35 years, but when it comes to elk, I'm still trying to put it all together. 

This year, with the help of a couple game cameras, I feel like I learned enough about a particular spot to draw up a decent game plan for next season.  However, I've actually still got a couple more days to fill my antlerless elk tag for this year.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding cows.  I've been seeing bulls consistently for the past 10 days, but they're either solo or in a bachelor herd.

What I'm trying to understand is whether cows are likely to be in the same vicinity as bulls right now, considering the recent snow and cold weather, or if cows have already begun to migrate out of the areas I'm in (Naches, Tieton, Cowiche, Wenas, as well as between Cle Elum and Kittitas). 

I stopped by the Oak Creek feeding station this afternoon, and saw several hundred animals, so I imagine the draw of easy food isn't helping my situation.  Although, maybe it could if cows are simply at the lower elevations of their winter range (ie: private farmland), and it's just a matter of getting access?

As much as I'd like to figure out elk on my own, I'm not too proud to ask for help.  And if there was ever a year to do it, this is it for me, since I lost my buck to bone sour.   

I'd really really appreciate any advice or assistance y'all are willing to provide!

What is I lost my buck to bone sour?
What GMU are you hunting .
Weapon
Regular permit,or depredation permits.

Some info might peak someones interest to help.

GMUs:  328, 334, 335, 342, 368
Weapon:  rifle
Permit:  regular

As to the bone sour, it was my first archery buck, and I pulled the shot and hit him in the shoulder right around sunset.  Tracked the blood trail for a few hours until it ran cold.  Found him the next morning, but when I cut him open, I was greeted by green-tinged meat and the stench of rotting meat.

Maybe someone will chime in with help.
Not my area.
Sucks about the buck,at least you found it.
Good luck on the hunt.

[bustedoldman]

I would imagine anywhere in 328 would be fairly easy as long as you have mobility?

[teanawayslayer]

And what tag do you have? Hunter ed instructor tag?? Didn’t realize there was anything open right now.

[Rainier10]

Cows and bulls are not running together but they also are not far apart, within a mile or two of each other.

[teanawayslayer]

Cows and bulls are not running together but they also are not far apart, within a mile or two of each other.

not quite correct. The big herds have plenty of bulls with them. Most are still sucking milk. But there are quite a few raghorns with them. But by far more cows than bulls

[Rainier10]

Cows and bulls are not running together but they also are not far apart, within a mile or two of each other.

not quite correct. The big herds have plenty of bulls with them. Most are still sucking milk. But there are quite a few raghorns with them. But by far more cows than bulls

okay.

[hunter399]

Cows and bulls are not running together but they also are not far apart, within a mile or two of each other.

not quite correct. The big herds have plenty of bulls with them. Most are still sucking milk. But there are quite a few raghorns with them. But by far more cows than bulls

okay.

No way ,you guys are both wrong ,lol,
Bull or cow , elk will be where the best available feed is.
Just kidding guys , every one is right ,

[Twispriver]

Contact the local game warden. If elk are causing problems on private ground and need to be gone he/she is going to know about it and can maybe steer you in the right direction.

[cantstump]

I just took a late season cow semi-near there. The biggest factor in that area right now is water. With how cold it was the last 2 weeks, the elk had to move to find un-frozen water. That usually means a river or creek. It's warmer now, but still below freezing in the hills. Find the water, and the elk won't be far away.

And yes, a lot will be low in private land. Whatever access you can get there is helpful. Also doesn't hurt to knock on a door or two after you've found them, especially if you offer some of the meat and a bottle of their favorite liquor.