Compared to other units such as the Winston or Coweeman the pressure isn't as bad, but the population density of elk is far lower than what you would find in those units, always has been, especially these days.. The terrains steep in many area's, some of the timber stands allow visibility out to 100yrds or so but for the most part its brushy and the reprod in the NF is too tall to see into most of the cuts. Herds are usually small, I'd guess an average of 5 elk.
Last year it snowed almost everyday, first day and a half I hound dogged elk, sneaky fookers, humbling to see what lengths they will go to in order to shake you off of their trail. Moved camp late on day two down to the snow park on the 88 due to the increasing snow level. Spent day three driving around till we found what elevation was holding the most elk. Picked a spot and stuck with it dawn to dusk for two days, on day three I took my first bull. Nice young n tasty 4x4. 6 guys and about 8 hours later after stumbling through the snow n brush in the pitch black we got it out of the hell hole I was hunting in.
Our groups been hunting in the fr88/fr23 area since 1999. Average 1 elk per our group of 6-8, dependent upon cow tag draws.
