Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: georgia redneck on August 12, 2009, 11:07:46 AM
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Just wondering if anybody hunted Indian Heaven; in the last 4 yrs or so it seems like the elk just dissapeared over near east crater.
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I hunted right near there in the lone butte area but never actually in Indian heaven. Lots of hunters and lots of berry pickers in September.
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There is getting to be to many people in the Indian heaven. Elk don't like people, east crater is a trail head you have to stay away from, haven't you seen all the trucks during season.
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Our group has hunted Indian Heaven for several years.........enough said :chuckle:
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I am not actualy hunting east crater trail, there are too many hunters up that trail as you say....it was just a reference point. We go way back and still do not see many animals anymore just wondering if anybody else noticed the same thing. Used to see animals every year just seems they dissapeared.
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I hunt Indian Heaven...................................................Well :rolleyes:............................. :o
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I have noticed the same thing elk are definately on the decline in that area and I am not sure the reason. there are definately less elk period in the trout lake area. No loggin = no food. :dunno: :twocents:
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Just wondering if anybody hunted Indian Heaven; in the last 4 yrs or so it seems like the elk just dissapeared over near east crater.
Didn't that herd get slammed by hunters as they poured out of there during the big snow a few (4?) years back? Weren't guys shooting elk at the Trout lake post office?
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You are correct Iceman. So much so they changed the regs before the following season to restricted firearm in the troutlake flats to keep the idiots from shooting up the farmers houses. So to remedy that change they sell or auction private land tags. Does'nt affect me much but it was quite the slaughter, and the herd could still be feeling the effects.
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Also not quite sure if the herd that was affected is the same herd over in indian heaven. It is at least an hour drive from where I hunt to town and I dont know if they migrate to the flats and the refuge near troutlake or go down near bz corner. Either way I am glad my party isn't the only one that has noticed. Not going to stop me from hunting it though, I may not spend all my time there but it is a great hunt if you get away from all the hunters and go up high.
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I think the herds from Trout Lake to Indian Heaven have been declining for about 10 years due to a lack of logging in the national forest. My group used to hunt Flattop really heavy, but left years ago for better grounds. Also, I think the winter loss a few years ago was high on some of those herds that didn't manage to migrate out. :twocents:
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They haven't done much of any logging at all along the Lewis River for years. It's noticable for sure wether you hunt down low or up high. I used to hunt with a big group along the river flats. Those guys are lucky to see a legal bull now during the whole general rifle season.
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I can't say I hunt Indian Heaven wilderness, am pretty close though. I've hunted it for about 3 years and have found elk, but I also put on the miles to do so. Fortunately, I don't run into but a very few hunters. I don't know what the quality or quantity was prior but I've not seen anything over a 5x5 and only a few bulls each year. I have found enough for me and my huntin partner to chase.
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The elk are there.... They just get pushed a bit....
Keith :)
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bugs are hell
