Post by: Bunnell on December 04, 2013, 02:14:48 PM
Post by: bobcat on December 04, 2013, 02:21:41 PM
Post by: tonymiller7 on December 04, 2013, 03:46:39 PM
Post by: Soady on December 04, 2013, 05:05:55 PM
Post by: Eagle eye on December 05, 2013, 09:56:15 AM
Post by: splitshot on December 05, 2013, 11:22:04 PM
Post by: BullMagnet76 on December 06, 2013, 02:52:41 AM
Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.:twocents:
:yeah:
I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy. :sry:
Post by: zoorda on December 06, 2013, 12:40:18 PM
Post by: fishinmike on December 06, 2013, 06:45:44 PM
Post by: Soady on December 08, 2013, 08:58:59 PM
Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.:twocents:
:yeah:
I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy. :sry:
Start talking to the landowners. Over the 20 or so years of hunting that area, most of the dairy farmers will allow you to hunt their land. Go up during the off season and get to know some of them. Offer to help with some chores, they really appreciate the help. IMO, the elk numbers are way down and predator numbers a lot higher. The ranchers really appreciate you taking care of the critters that cause them problems. Be polite and it will usually get you a long ways.
As released in 2012 a District 10 news letter from Pat Miller District Wildlife Biologist:
Big game populations in Cowlitz and Lewis counties were influenced by late spring storms in 2013. The survey index that was conducted for winter elk mortality showed high loss in 2012/2013, indicating a reduction in yearling animals and some loss of older animals as a result of the winter conditions. The influence of these winter losses may impact elk numbers for a few years as the reduced recruitment impacts the population over time.
Anyone care to guess what this 2013 severe cold weather is going to reflect on the 2014 newsletter?
In addition to 2013 for both Winston/Mossyrock a grand total of 458 antlerless permits, would any one care to predict the percentage of harvest?
If this does not paint a bigger picture then I guess we can just continue to talk to land owners. Here is a challenge, ask any of those land owners if "talk ever pulled a stump" most likely they will tell you no. In order to pull a stump you have to keep digging at it to get to the roots. Judging from the above stats those are "the roots" of a great decline both in elk numbers and lost hunter opportunities.
:twocents:
Post by: fishinmike on December 08, 2013, 09:31:09 PM
Post by: KB88 on December 09, 2013, 09:10:46 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on December 09, 2013, 11:24:50 AM
Post by: Elk whack master on December 16, 2013, 05:47:16 PM
Post by: griz_64 on August 06, 2019, 02:16:08 PM
Having hunted that area for 23+ years the elk are on the decline in that unit as the population spreads out into habitat areas, coupled with poor management techniques by WDFW in the Winston side, throw in the hoof rot issue, cougar issue and in my opinion it doesn't take long to understand there is a problem. Spent five days in that area hunting hard and only crossed three sets of fresh track and heard of maybe three animals being taken, so we pulled camp and left.:twocents:
:yeah:
I know where there is about 30 head but unfortunately they are on a co worker of mines private property and I have been sworn to secrecy. :sry:
Bet i could guess the rough area of that co worker lol
Post by: huntmando on August 06, 2019, 08:52:11 PM
Post by: Igottanewknee on August 06, 2019, 08:58:51 PM
This is beyond random. :dunno:Shhhh.....
I think it means the invasion has started.... Keep your head down and don't talk to anyone.
Got it?
Ok, good.