The 9500 Yakima elk herd encompasses 3 PMU's (Primary Managment Units) This include the area between the Yakama Reservation and White Pass. The area between White Pass and Chinook Pass and the area between Chinook Pass to I-90.
Each of these three PMU's have their own feeding stations. However; the only two that are open to the public is the one at Oak Creek and also the one in Ellensburg up Joe Watt canyon. As far as where the elk go? The WDFW and the DOT try and keep the migration between these PMU's to a minimum using elk fences. So most of them tend to stay in their PMU. Now there are 4 other feed stations (that I know of) but are not open to the public. Some used to be but are not anymore. Like I said earlier you can thank Poachers and the Indians for the closures of the other ones. It was done to protect these very docile animals from being killed.
Also it is a very mild year so most of the elk only come down as far as they have to. (This is weather dependent) Some of the elk no matter how mild the winter is comes down for the free food. We call these elk "wellfare elk." Elk are like humans in this regard. Some are willing to work for their food while others just want government handouts.
