Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: HoofsandWings on August 23, 2016, 07:10:05 AM

Title: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 23, 2016, 07:10:05 AM: Has anyone noticed the hundreds of sheep grazing on forage in the Bethel unit?
They go back and forth over the same ground. Nothing left for elk to feed on.
I saw elk earlier in those areas and after the sheep were done, no elk.
I saw the sheep herder and his dog a couple of times.
Actually, I think there are several herds of sheep up there.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Fish4Fun on August 23, 2016, 07:12:59 AM: What part of the Bethel did you see the sheep in ?
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: boneaddict on August 23, 2016, 07:46:48 AM: Yep, and it killed a ton of bighorns too.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on August 23, 2016, 08:11:04 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on August 23, 2016, 07:46:48 AM
Yep, and it killed a ton of bighorns too.
The Martinez family run sheep and cattle up there. And yes that is how the wild sheep got sick and had to be killed. Just like the pack goats can spread the disease. This is why we I have a problem with the Game department and the Forest Service. They
do not work together. Look at the hay the game department feeds the elk at the feed stations. Full of weeds! Its ok for the state to put the toxic weeds back on the FS land. But we have to feed a weed free hay. Which is fine but the state should have to also. Our game department and local Forest service need to start working together or this problem will not get fixed. Call the FS AND COMPLAIN this is the only way to get this problem fixed.

Sorry but just had to vent.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: jackelope on August 23, 2016, 09:26:52 AM: Is it legal for them to graze these sheep where they're at?
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: TriggerMike on August 23, 2016, 09:27:44 AM: I saw probably close to 1000 domestic sheep grazing in the Colockum a few weeks ago. Never seen them up there before that. Good thing there's no bighorns for them to kill there...
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 23, 2016, 09:36:34 AM: Quote from: jackelope on August 23, 2016, 09:26:52 AM
Is it legal for them to graze these sheep where they're at?
A couple of years ago, Oak Creek traded with DNR
I believe Grouse Haven and North Fork of Oak Creek are now DNR land.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Fish4Fun on August 23, 2016, 10:15:27 AM: We have never seen the sheep in the Grouse Heaven area before. Hope they stay out of there :yike:
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: liljozie495 on August 23, 2016, 11:47:29 AM: Where abouts did u see the sheep at? Hoping my cam isn't loaded with sheep pics.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Elkrunner on August 23, 2016, 11:56:41 AM: Quote from: TriggerMike on August 23, 2016, 09:27:44 AM
I saw probably close to 1000 domestic sheep grazing in the Colockum a few weeks ago. Never seen them up there before that. Good thing there's no bighorns for them to kill there...

I've seen the for years up around swift creek around this time. The herder guy is super nice.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: lee on August 23, 2016, 12:04:10 PM: Last Tuesday, I had to stop on the 1500 road (a mile or so from where it meets the Nile road) as they were loading 4 semi's with sheep and blocking the road.

I continued up the 1500 to the 1504, then to the 185 and didn't see anymore sheep. The Forest Service was down the 1504 doing prescribed burns.

Lee
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 23, 2016, 02:31:08 PM: Quote from: liljozie495 on August 23, 2016, 11:47:29 AM
Where abouts did u see the sheep at? Hoping my cam isn't loaded with sheep pics.
My two cams were loaded with them. Different herders, went by the camera every two days for a week. Sometimes heading west, other times heading east.
I am reminded of Peruvian sheep herders in the manner of their dress.
One moved the camera so it pointed up about 10 degrees. I no longer saw animals on the trail, but in time lapse mode, I saw sheep at the other side of the gap/draw I was filming.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: branches on August 23, 2016, 08:19:51 PM: When I first started bow hunting in 1984 I hunted Timberwolf Mountain and that place was loaded with elk. I think it was 1987 when they started running sheep in that area and the elk were gone. The place was dead. I had to move camp to another spot of the wilderness area because the sheep killed off all of the elk habitat.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: NOCK NOCK on August 23, 2016, 08:54:21 PM: Serious question here.
Sometimes individual sheep get lost/left behind the herd as they graze them along(I have seen singles on 3 different occasions,3 different years.....weeks after the herd has moved through the area)
Do they then become public property? Assume they don't last long on their own and a cat gets his easy meal.

Always wondered if they should be taken out. :mgun2:
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: lee on August 24, 2016, 01:32:22 PM: I know that the area around Bethel Ridge has had sheep on it form at least as far back as 1880's.

Google "Sheep herder Hindoo John" for an interesting articule . He was killed in a "pile up" in the Hindoo basin.

Lee
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: mburrows on August 24, 2016, 01:55:25 PM: Quote from: liljozie495 on August 23, 2016, 11:47:29 AM
Where abouts did u see the sheep at? Hoping my cam isn't loaded with sheep pics.

nothing more frustrating when you throw the SD card in to check out your pictures and its bunch of sheep, had it happen multiple times :chuckle:
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: zackmioli on August 24, 2016, 06:43:36 PM: Saw them up on the 1506 back in july. Looked like one of the herders big dogs killed a sheep or found it dead and drug it to the road. The sheep was all bloody with the dog standing over it when I drove past.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: snake on August 24, 2016, 06:54:26 PM: Sheep Happen
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Mossyoak on August 25, 2016, 07:43:57 AM: Two weeks ago in the Teanaway we ran into a big group. I asked the hearder how many sheep there were, I would have guessed about 300 or 400. But it was tough to see them in the thick brush. He said there were 1700! Why would they allow 1700? Also, the dogs were very aggressive, be careful if you come across them.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Naches Sportsman on August 26, 2016, 05:09:14 PM: There's around 1500 pair in the rattlesnake every summer.
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: jdb on August 26, 2016, 05:22:08 PM: Quote from: Mossyoak on August 25, 2016, 07:43:57 AM
Two weeks ago in the Teanaway we ran into a big group. I asked the hearder how many sheep there were, I would have guessed about 300 or 400. But it was tough to see them in the thick brush. He said there were 1700! Why would they allow 1700? Also, the dogs were very aggressive, be careful if you come across them.
why would they not?
Title: Re: Domestic Sheep in Bethel unit
Post by: Mossyoak on August 26, 2016, 10:29:18 PM: I didn't know they would let them bring up that many. I guess just because they appear to everything that a deer, or elk would eat. I doubt they hurt anything, they do make a mess of things though.