Pasayten Elk

[shanevg]

How does WDFW feel about the moose?   Do they want the moose out of there too, or are they not as damaging to the deer population?

[mossback91]

I think that the elk thing has more to do with competing with cattle and ranchers dontlike them for a combonation of things. they tear alot of stuff up. The methow/okanogan County  does have the largest mule deer herd in washignton thouggh also

[boneaddict]

I doubt it has much to do with ranching since the WDFW and ranchers don't historically get along.   UNLESS of cours they don't want to build a huge elk fence etc and they don't want to deal with the expense.   

I think they love the moose Shane.   What is your interest.  Just for fun, photography, future hunts.  Are you a moose fan?

[shanevg]

I doubt it has much to do with ranching since the WDFW and ranchers don't historically get along.   UNLESS of cours they don't want to build a huge elk fence etc and they don't want to deal with the expense.   

I think they love the moose Shane.   What is your interest.  Just for fun, photography, future hunts.  Are you a moose fan?

Fun, photography, and a moose fan.  I (like most people on these forms it seems) spend a lot of time in the Methow.  I'm even getting married at Sun Mountain this coming December.  I also love wildlife, so I'd love to be able to find the moose and elk while I'm going over there.  I would never make a trip to the Methow just to hunt elk, I'd rather see a healthy herd there.  I would love even more to see a healthy moose herd there!  So yeah, mostly just for fun and enjoyment of a wider range of wildlife. 

[mossback91]

I think it has more to do with complaints and getting them all the time. ALso how would a deer and an elk compete much they dont eat the same stuff do they?

[boneaddict]

My brother got married at Sunmountain.  Very nice spot.  Congrats.  I'll shoot you a pm with some good info and you can go from there.

[mossback91]

I think I'll ask the biologist next week and will ask for a straight up answer none of that politically correct BS.

[boneaddict]

Good luck.  They are under ALOT of pressure to say certain things.


THere are a couple that know what the heck they are talking about though, and I appreciate them.  they don't usually last long though because the PC crap gets to them.

[coyotemadness]

There are no wolves in WA either. 

[coastalghost]

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.

Years ago we did alot of rafting in the Methow River doing fisheries surveys.  One day we putting in our rafts at Winthrop....we just started the float and I looked up on top of the bank and there was a young bull moose standing right next to a house just watching us.....pretty cool.  The moose ended up traveling all the way down the methow and was spotted in Twisp and kept going and was spotted down near the highway!  Dont know what ever became of him.  Crazy how they will just follow drainages...buggers really get around. 

[coyotemadness]

That would have been a sweet sight to see. I've never seen a bull moose in my life, just cows and little ones.