Pasayten Elk

[mossback91]

There is a small group but somebody who doesnt live close by with lots of free tiem for searching is gonna have a hard time finding them.

[long-shot]

the lobby is a new one to me, i've never heard that one? she spends most of year down at the old big valley ranch she thinks she a whitetail, if they shot 8 elk in 2006 then there aren't many left, because there was just a handfull of them

[boneaddict]

THere have been three major fires back there I believe.  The thirtymile which devastated most of the elk that I knew of, and two others.   There are elk ALL over the valley if you spend enough time up there.  The game department does not want elk in the valley.  NEVER HAVE.  Thats why the season you get.   There have been several controversies over the years of them killing them.  More good press.  However there is some prime habitat up there for them and thus there will always be elk moving in.   Last year I found elk where I had no idea they were there and they were quite established.  This was not in the Pasayten however.   

[long-shot]

bones right there is some awsome areas back in there that would be perfect for elk but the wdfw doesn't want them in there! that doesn't meaNn they don't travel through, i know of a few little bunches up there.

[shanevg]

Never seen an elk in the valley.  I did see a moose once.  How often do you guys see moose over there?

[WDFW-SUX]

There are more moose than elk now.

[shanevg]

Where is the best place to find the moose?  The one I saw was just right along Highway 20.

[Bearhunter]

Long-shot how can you say that there are no elk back in Sweet grass, because you havent seen them?  We have seen one and a bull at that.  Cant tell if you were disputting it or not   I have spent a lot of time back in that country, probably more than most on here and there is definetly grizz back there also.  A small herd runs the valley floor between mazama and Winthrop we have seen them several times, although we did not see them last year.  Its definetly not a good place to go and hunt them, I think Id focus somewhere else.

[coyotemadness]

I've never seen any elk but have seen two moose in my travels near Winthorp. Saw both of them up 30 mile. This was after the 2001 fire up there. I have never seen any elk up near sweet grass. Makes me want to check it out.

[boneaddict]

Well considering how much I love elk, how much time I spend int he valley and how well I know it but don't hunt elk there, ought to tell you something.

[shanevg]

I see you guys talking about 30 mile a lot, where exactly is that?  I couldn't find it on the map.   

[boneaddict]

Go up the Chewack River.  North of Winthrop

[long-shot]

Bearhunter I'm not saying you didn't see an elk, just you are a lucky one if you did, we have run cattle in there for almost 60 yrs, other then some tracks we saw down by copper glance trail a few yrs ago and a few down on the river thats all the elk i know about, i would love to see more up there but the wdfw don't want them in there.  were did you see the grizz at?

[shanevg]

Why would WDFW not want elk in the Methow?  Doesn't that just mean additional revenue for them with more licenses being sold?  Doesn't really make sense to me. 

[boneaddict]

THeya re afraid they will out compete the muledeer and damage one of the best herds in the state.