Pasayten Elk

[shanevg]

Has anyone ever seen any elk in the Pasayten Wilderness?  I know that they are in there, and I'd love to see them, I just don't know where to look.  Does the herd just live in a small pocket in the wilderness, or are they pretty wide spread?  Is it just by chance that you happen upon the herd, or can you see them at a pretty regular basis on one or two (or more) specific trails? 

[boneaddict]

I imagine it has changed a bunch with the last three BIG fires back there.  There are a few, but not many.  A few moose as well along with some Grizz if you are really lucky.

[shanevg]

Any idea about best place to find them?

[boneaddict]

I'd hate to point you in the wrong direction since I haven't been back there since the the last two big fires.  Its all different now, so the information is way outdated.

[Bearhunter]

We seen a small bull a few years back up at the very end of the Sweet Grass butte road, about a mile out up in rocky ridge that runs back there.  But that was a few years ago.  The Cattle ranchers also told us that they here theme once in a while in September back there.  Its a place to start, I quess.

[mkcj]

I have been going there since we built our cabin in 68 and the only place i have seen elk sign was up out of twisp and I'm sure they came over from lake chelan maybe try up farther up towards 30 mile

[bowpredator]

I dont know about elk, but Ive seen moose and 2 grizz while hunting back up off of sweet grass.

[alecvg]

Weres that at?  Winthrop are?

[shanevg]

Weres that at?  Winthrop are?

Unit 203 (NE of Winthrop)

[long-shot]

there's one old cow down on the river but she think's she's a whitetail,  as far as sweet grass  i would't  waste my time up there because there not there, i never seen or hear them,  i was told they were up towards 20 mile but after all  the fires they probly moved on,  there was just a few them.

[shanevg]

there's one old cow down on the river but she think's she's a whitetail,  as far as sweet grass  i would't  waste my time up there because there not there, i never seen or hear them,  i was told they were up towards 20 mile but after all  the fires they probly moved on,  there was just a few them.

How recently was this fire you guys are talking about?  Was that the one from two years ago, or was there also one this past year (2007)?

[long-shot]

two years ago was tri-pod fire and befrore that one was 30 mile fire that wasabput 2003 or2004 i think i might be off on the year but close

[MADMAX]

I have seen that cow up on the rendevous near the ponds in the snow one year, quite the surprise, I hear the cattlemen's lobby does not want any elk in the Methow

[mkcj]

Sweet grass is in unit 218 Madmax what pond are you talking about the 1 by the old orchard or farther up by the  cattle guard

[shanevg]

two years ago was tri-pod fire and befrore that one was 30 mile fire that wasabput 2003 or2004 i think i might be off on the year but close

Well the 2006 hunting report says there were 8 elk shot in the Pasayten unit.  So unless the more recent fire pushed them out, there are still elk in there somewhere.