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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: JWBINX on February 21, 2021, 09:52:02 AM


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Title: Oak creek
Post by: JWBINX on February 21, 2021, 09:52:02 AM
Just took a little road trip over to Oak creek feeding station on Saturday.
I would estimate 300 to 400 elk with a lot of really nice big bulls.
No spikes that I saw? Lots of Sheep at Clemans, but all ewes and juveniles. No big rams down that low.
Hiked up Waterworks for about an hour up and definitely saw signs of dead sheep maybe due to Pneumonia?
All in all a really nice day! Sunny with blue skies. :)
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Tracker0721 on February 21, 2021, 10:53:47 AM
I went to Oak creek last week and was pretty impressed. Stayed for a couple hours, it’s interesting to note the lack of spike elk, I only saw one. We were gonna go look at the sheep but changed plans. Snowed on us the whole time and didn’t realize my camera picked up the snow better than my eye did.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 21, 2021, 12:04:47 PM
 Nice any other pictures?
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Dan-o on February 21, 2021, 12:53:01 PM
I went to Oak creek last week and was pretty impressed. Stayed for a couple hours, it’s interesting to note the lack of spike elk, I only saw one. We were gonna go look at the sheep but changed plans. Snowed on us the whole time and didn’t realize my camera picked up the snow better than my eye did.

I saw that bull there last Tuesday.   
He's pretty funky. 

Saw a whopping 2 spikes. 
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Katmai Guy on February 21, 2021, 02:00:42 PM
Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched?  Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: grundy53 on February 21, 2021, 02:14:01 PM
Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched?  Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.
Usually later

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Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Katmai Guy on February 21, 2021, 02:32:12 PM
Do spike antlers possibly fall earlier than branched?  Never thought about it or cared before since i dont shed hunt.
Usually later

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 :tup:
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Pinetar on February 21, 2021, 02:45:25 PM
There is lots of spike bulls in the Joe Watt feed lot.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: JWBINX on February 21, 2021, 05:28:58 PM
Spikes will carry their antlers much longer than branched bulls. There was a very old bull with regressing antlers that is probably lucky
to survive this long into winter. Deep saddled back, low belly, clubbed rack on one side and shrinking on the other side.(not the same bull in earlier  picture) and lots of battle scars, Pretty cool! Good to hear that their are lots of spikes in Joe Watt.
Their was no shortage of cows at oak creek.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Patarero on February 21, 2021, 09:31:37 PM
Just took a little road trip over to Oak creek feeding station on Saturday.
I would estimate 300 to 400 elk with a lot of really nice big bulls.
No spikes that I saw? Lots of Sheep at Clemans, but all ewes and juveniles. No big rams down that low.
Hiked up Waterworks for about an hour up and definitely saw signs of dead sheep maybe due to Pneumonia?
All in all a really nice day! Sunny with blue skies. :)
Yeah, wdfw had signs posted about the pneumonia outbreak in the herd.  Saw a 3/4 down on the road a couple weeks ago.

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Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Randysonia on March 31, 2021, 06:55:40 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times! >:(
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Tbar on March 31, 2021, 08:09:22 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times! >:(
What happened?  Please enlighten us.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: dilleytech on April 01, 2021, 09:10:57 AM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times! >:(
What happened?  Please enlighten us.

Bigger snow fall winters down lower.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: dilleytech on April 01, 2021, 09:12:10 AM
I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: jstone on April 01, 2021, 01:03:15 PM
Going to Ellensburg for breakfast Saturday
Any elk in Joe Watt?
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 01, 2021, 02:17:55 PM
I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?

They use to let Boy Scouts in early for the easy ones. Or some type of young folks group? :dunno:
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Alan K on April 01, 2021, 03:42:35 PM
I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Mudman on April 01, 2021, 04:15:08 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times! >:(
What happened?  Please enlighten us.
Hmm, really?  Maybe they migrated to Idaho..
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: trophyhunt on April 01, 2021, 04:22:29 PM
I remember the good old days when there were 2500 to 3000 elk at the station. you could look clear down to right and see nothing but horns and elk. Well you can guess what happened! Sad Times! >:(
What happened?  Please enlighten us.
over harvest by local tribes, (jerky man and his crew), predators are another big reason, wolves on top of cougar and bear populations.  I would also say part of the blame goes to wdfw handing out way too many cow permits a few years ago.  Just my humble opinion.
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Mudman on April 01, 2021, 04:32:17 PM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: MADMAX on April 01, 2021, 06:21:39 PM
10 years ago
We had much more

Elk
Deer
Salmon
Access
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 01, 2021, 07:52:33 PM
I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.  :dunno:

I think your right. I was thinking the Wyoming program out of Jacksons Hole where animals are properly managed............
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Stein on April 01, 2021, 07:59:02 PM
I thought I had heard they collect them and auction them at the end of the season to help pay down some of the feed costs.  :dunno:

I think your right. I was thinking the Wyoming program out of Jacksons Hole where animals are properly managed............
Lots of debate on that one.  I hunted the elk reserve and got a dose of opinions as well as history and biology.  I watched a documentary, if I can remember where I’ll link it. 

I’m not smart enough to have an opinion on elk feeding in WY, but do have an opinion on the lack of management back here.


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Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: huntandjeep on April 03, 2021, 07:50:23 PM
I have always wondered what happens to the sheds that fall right at the feed station? I mean within a few hundred yards of the fence in site. Employees snatch them up?
The employees pick up the ones that dont get poached and auction them off every couple years .

Then you have the guy that sits on Chinook Pass every day and watches the herd on that side . He then tells his kids where the bulls drop and they go get them at night .
 
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: MADMAX on April 03, 2021, 08:14:20 PM
Always a hurray for me guy around
One year I watched some guy with a drone
A lady in the parking lot gave him hell for cheating  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: Randysonia on April 05, 2021, 07:08:13 AM
10 years ago
We had much more

Elk
Deer
Salmon
Access
      Then came the Wolf, Sea Lion, Cougar, and Bad Management!
Title: Re: Oak creek
Post by: cooltimber on April 05, 2021, 07:44:46 AM
Going to Ellensburg for breakfast Saturday
Any elk in Joe Watt?
They  went up the 8th of March,I live in ellensburg and have watched them most of the winter
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