GMU 101-113 info on Archery Elk - anyone have any info they can share?

[MDGrand]

Just curious about this area for elk... Saw in the regs it is "any elk" and from what I know it is not a huge elk harvest area, but I am curious as to how it looks near Canadian border.. potential herd size, etc?

Any info that anybody can share about the area and its elk population would be helpful.

[CedarPants]

I hunted the modern firearm season north of Smackout/Abercrombie a few years back.  Didn't see any elk.  Saw elk hunters though, some on horseback.

The wolves seem to like their odds for elk in the area as well

[alwinearcher]

There are guys who kill bulls up there..
You better have a lot of time to scout it though because it does not have a high elk population

[MDGrand]

I figured that is why it is "any elk."

Seems like great country for elk.. wonder why the population is so low.

I guess it is fair to say that odds of running into one like deer in that area are few and far between?

[bearpaw]

There is a growing herd but the "any elk" season holds them back from growing as fast as they could. THe WDFW has been trying to kill off all the elk in numerous units for years so the don't have to deal with crop damage and they say they want to keep the area as primary whitetail habitat. But the herd is growing anyway....

As others have said, they are here but you have to find the groups, they are not everywhere like deer. 

[MDGrand]

Interesting!

Thanks Bear Paw.

Amazing they are actually trying to kill them off and maintain one species over another. Crop damage must be pretty bad!

[bearpaw]

Actually very little from elk in this area, but they are trying to avoid it in the future I guess.

A few of the units are "any bull" where they have decided to let the herd grow and they did plant elk in 117 from hanford a few years ago. 117 and 113 have the most elk in the NE, but they are not easy to find there either.

[TheHunt]

Fly the units and early in the morning to find the elk.  It will cost you about 150 - 250 dollars an hour.   The cheapest I can get a Cessna 172 is 150 dollars an hour.