Post by: Mike_D on July 11, 2009, 01:07:37 PM
I've been scouting the 113/117 pretty intensly this year (building a house north of Priest River ID), and I've been wondering about the Salmo wilderness...
Are there elk populated in that area? I've only gone through on 302 once, and also checked out the Sullivan Lake area as well. Didn't see much sign (at least from the truck), and I'm wondering am I too far north for 'em? I've seen tons of sign (maybe its moose?) in the southern portions... (around Baldy southward...)
Regards,
Mike_D
Post by: bearpaw on July 11, 2009, 01:10:22 PM
More moose in the south half, more elk in the north half has been my experience. If the sign look like the biggest elk sign you have ever seen it's probably moose.
RE: 117
Elk are mostly middle to south end, moose scattered thoroughout.
Post by: Mike_D on July 11, 2009, 01:21:45 PM
I know during the spring I've several elk in the fields, both north and south of USK around 30 head or so in one field.. recovering the from the winter. I've also bumped the damn things in 117 north of the ski resort and Chewela (?sp) while turkey hunting.
I got a reference from a different forum for a biologist a Mr. Dana Base with WDFW thats supposed the know the area real well. I'm hoping they haven't laid him off with all the cutbacks and all. I hope to gather additional info from him.
With fewer enforcers, I fear more poaching with the bad times.
Even still, I'm hoping the forums will be useful, this provides plenty of eyes on the ground.
Post by: bearpaw on July 11, 2009, 01:57:23 PM
Post by: clindsayrun on July 11, 2009, 03:29:39 PM
A few elk down there...and lots of bear.
Post by: bearpaw on July 11, 2009, 04:41:18 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on July 11, 2009, 07:22:21 PM
Post by: Machias on July 11, 2009, 07:39:07 PM
Post by: Mike_D on July 12, 2009, 09:30:01 AM
Thanks I would greatly appreciate that. I'll also be in the area around next Wed./Thursday or so, and hope to put in a weekend of scouting.
regards,
Mike
Post by: Guy on July 12, 2009, 08:26:47 PM
Wonder if the wolf lovers have explained that to all their nature loving friends? I think it's pretty neat that there are caribou in Washington... Hope they manage to stay around..
Post by: bearpaw on July 12, 2009, 08:38:28 PM
Post by: Machias on July 13, 2009, 10:17:34 AM
Post by: Mike_D on July 13, 2009, 12:03:11 PM
thanks for looking during day. I'll be checking out several different areas over there this next weekend.
Post by: Mike_D on July 19, 2009, 05:15:41 PM
Got in touch with Dana Base, sounds like a great guy... We discussed the Salmo-Priest at length, and he put in an area just off Boundary dam... Damn... I thought where I was looking was north... :o
Didn't have time to head that far up this weekend...flat tires, water pumps... etc. etc.. :ACRY:
But I did a quick run up to the top of Calispel peak... Found lots of deer tracks and one lone Elk track. Aweful dry right now... and hot.... so I suspect their staying bedded and near water...
:dunno:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on July 19, 2009, 06:44:51 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on July 19, 2009, 07:33:04 PM
If you are looking near the tops of the mountains you are to high.
The bios have always said to me, stay close to the river or oin a major creek drainage, in other words a creek you may have trouble jumping across without touching water.
That is the thick stuff, its dang hard to glass elk in unit 113, not many openings that you can glass elk in.