Elk in Stampede unit

[Bob33]

I am a first year archery elk hunter with a Western tag.  I was scouting on the Cascade Crest this weekend, between the Little Naches unit and the Stampede unit.  Just at dark one evening, I watched elk come out of the reprod and timber on the eastern (Little Naches) side like rats: they were everywhere.  I quit counting at 50.  I checked the western (Stampede) side the next night but only saw one cow.

Without giving away your secret spots, can anyone suggest other areas that I might scout?

[Hornseeker]

Just spend some time up there... early morn... late evening... you'll find them. Go hike through some roadless canyons during the day and look for sing... they are there....

[Bob33]

Thanks.  I assume you mean on the western side in the Stampede unit.  I have to believe there are elk on both sides of the crest.  It's just odd that I saw so many on the eastern side, and very few on the western side.

[stumprat]

They cross back and forth.
The crest trail doesn't have an invisible fence

[Bob33]

I could swear I saw a fence and gate near Pyramid Peak.  It has a sign that reads "Elk passage: $2 each direction"

[stumprat]

I could swear I saw a fence and gate near Pyramid Peak.  It has a sign that reads "Elk passage: $2 each direction"

 
Sorry for being a smart ass.

Keep an eye on the elk you saw. I bet you catch them on the west side soon.

[Bob33]

I knew you were joking.  Thanks for the help.  It was fun seeing so many elk, even if I only saw them on the Little Naches side the one evening I was there.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I used to hunt that area quite a bit, and there used to be tons of elk on the wet side.  I swear though, about 15 yrs ago, it changed.  I don't know why exactly, and I'm not going to spread any rumors as to why or what I've heard, but you don't see them on the wet side anywhere near as much.  Also, the sign is just way less on the wetside.  They are still there, just not near as much as the eastside.  I archery hunted it 2 yrs ago for just 2 days, and was so discouraged at lack of sign I moved on. 

[Bob33]

"you don't see them on the wet side anywhere near as much.  Also, the sign is just way less on the wetside",

Very interesting.  That's my limited experience to date as well.  As a first year archery (lifelong rifle) hunter, I don't mind not getting an elk, but it would be nice to be in an area with a good chance of seeing them.

[blmathis12]

the indians put a hurting on them up there pretty good! but thats just like any unit but just give a try and expect some heat up there!

[Hornseeker]

The Indians in fact DO put a hurt on them... they get in through the Shed in the winter when the elk are fairly confined in the lowlands... its too bad...

When I was hunting the area heavily in the mid 80's to early 90's...there were elk EVERYWHERE... it was nothing to see several groups a day and hear bugles about any place you stopped in September...

I would look pretty hard along that crest between Stampede and Lil Nach... get as far from a road as you can... they'll be there... Another good spot is back on the line between the Cedar/Green sheds and the open stuff....

[Machias]

The only reason I gave up on that area, is when you are hiking away from one road your just getting closer to the next road.  It was very frustrating to try and work into areas and still could not get away from the sounds of motorbikes and the little jeeps.  Drove me crazy to the point I gave up.  Of Course it's probably much better now that you don't compete with the Labor Day crowd.

[huntnphool]

I used to hunt that area a lot, got a couple nice bulls in there. One year I found a couple carcasses without heads. I reported it to F&G but never heard anything, I would have thought they would want to have had me show them but......