Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Photo & Video => Topic started by: WonkyWapiti on June 29, 2009, 12:19:23 AM

Title: Got close to some elk today
Post by: WonkyWapiti on June 29, 2009, 12:19:23 AM: Well as part of a study I have been tracking some elk and got to take some pictures today. I had my camera and thought I would share. This group was about 15 cows, 1 spike, and a bunch of calves.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg191.imageshack.us%2Fimg191%2F7161%2Fsoccerelkjune2009151.jpg&hash=5dce21879c318e98e998a45ee5c41cbbb663b88f)

This little one was hungry
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg4.imageshack.us%2Fimg4%2F7051%2Fsoccerelkjune2009239.jpg&hash=8dc0609c72fda219a22c9383ab2d5cca40b9ddad)

I hope this one grows up to be a nice 7x7
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg4.imageshack.us%2Fimg4%2F3314%2Fsoccerelkjune2009246.jpg&hash=eb81583cf012a88923858690ee86a182e376fa4c)

At first I thought there was only 1 calf but there ended up being a ton of them just over a rise being tended to by a couple of cows. I didn't want to get too close and get my butt kicked by mom.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg191.imageshack.us%2Fimg191%2F6506%2Fsoccerelkjune2009263.jpg&hash=eb014da85e4503dbf0d69f36166c0ee0c8a608b5)

I just love these summer coats
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg197.imageshack.us%2Fimg197%2F4148%2Fsoccerelkjune2009280.jpg&hash=c27db03494f1f6746d0858ad22309bc74ef4af5a)
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: coriantonk on June 29, 2009, 12:33:17 AM: Great pics. Thanks for sharing. I really like the looks of the little spotted one. Aint he cute :)
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: mkcj on June 29, 2009, 01:13:54 AM: Very nice pictures
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 29, 2009, 07:43:48 AM: Quote from: WonkyWapiti on June 29, 2009, 12:19:23 AM

At first I thought there was only 1 calf but there ended up being a ton of them just over a rise being tended to by a couple of cows. I didn't want to get too close and get my butt kicked by mom.
[img width=800 height=531]http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6506/soccerelkjune2009263.jpg[/i

Elk have daycare....??? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: zackmioli on June 29, 2009, 08:04:48 AM: nice pics!
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: tlbradford on June 29, 2009, 08:14:00 AM: These are great. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: Ray on June 29, 2009, 08:24:03 AM: Looking good. I like seeing the small ones.
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: WDFW-SUX on June 29, 2009, 08:30:16 AM: Grass fed prime elk steak............. :drool:
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: tmike on June 29, 2009, 08:41:06 AM: Very nice! What kind of study are you doing? Do those collars have anything to do with it :dunno:
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: WonkyWapiti on June 29, 2009, 07:10:40 PM: Yup those are telemmetry collars that we collared this winter. That's a whole story in itself and one of the coolest things I have ever done. I've been assisting with a study with the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group attempting to ascertain elk population numbers and mortality rates in the greater North Bend area.

I'd heard stories about elk calves hanging out in "nursery groups" but I'd never seen it before this weekend. These were some of the first real pics I've posted up here. I'll try to get some more soon and post them up here.
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: tmike on June 29, 2009, 07:34:17 PM: Did your study have anything to do with the added Master Hunter cow hunts in that area. Just curious I didn't apply for one but I saw a pile of elk along the freeway in North Bend this winter. That's great your involved with that. Did you collar them with a helicopter? I helped a little with project CAT here in East King County with Rocky Spenser before his accident. That cougar study included the North Bend area or part of it.
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: runamuk on June 29, 2009, 09:02:29 PM: That is so cool.........thanks for sharing. I love the little ones....
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: Timmybob on June 29, 2009, 09:42:08 PM: Great Pictures.....

Tmike: I didn't meet Rocky Spencer, But I heard he was a great guy.....Sorry to hear about him.,
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: WonkyWapiti on June 29, 2009, 11:47:12 PM: As a result of the group I am associated with (USVEMG) we were able to ask WDFW to add those master hunts and the special draws for the cow tags. I wasn't lucky enough to get drawn. We're also working to expand some elk habitat east of North Bend. We did not use a helicopter to tag the elk, they were all darted from the ground. We suspended tagging back in April due to the pregnant cows. We hope to continue in the fall.
Title: Re: Got close to some elk today
Post by: Timmybob on June 29, 2009, 11:59:56 PM: Man, I bet that's cool going out and tagging elk with darts from the ground......Where do I sign up????