Post by: colockumelk on May 30, 2011, 02:22:08 PM
Well its nice to know and see that the WDFW FINALLY updated this for the Yakima and Colockum elk herd. The previous 6 years other than the exact numbers all they did was cut and paste the report. Its nice to see that they FINALLY mentioned the affect that the Tribes are having on our elk herds and the affects that the ORV/snowmobile crowd is having on wintering elk. All in all I thought it was a really good report. Definately the best they have done in the past 10 years. If you don't want to read the whole thing here is their conclusions.
Management conclusionsBased on the available information, the Colockum bull
ratio is below objective and the Yakima bull ratio is
declining.
Hunter opportunity and harvest have been reduced in
both herds. Achieving bull escapement in the
Colockum is problematic. Recruitment of spike bulls
through the hunting seasons has typically been low.
High road density is likely contributing to elk
vulnerability during damage and regular hunting
seasons. A change in regulation (True-spike) is being
tried in an attempt to increase bull escapement.
However, without a significant increase in calf
recruitment, achieving the objective of 12 to 20 bulls
per 100 cows is unlikely in the short term.
Yearling bull escapement in the Yakima herd has
averaged 35% over the last 10 years and has never been
below 30%. In 2009, <20% of yearling bulls survived
the season, despite a decrease in hunters. The season
was slightly later than in previous years, but only by 3-
6 days. For some reason, elk migrated out of the higher
elevations, with greater security, to open winter range
areas during the season. Even in years with significant
snow, bull escapement had been much higher.
Post by: Killmore on May 30, 2011, 06:54:19 PM
Post by: rtspring on May 30, 2011, 07:07:43 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on May 31, 2011, 08:21:17 AM
Post by: Jburke on May 31, 2011, 10:34:14 AM
I have been seeing bears cruising the calving areas of the clockum and was wondering if they would open the area up for baiting of bears to help the calf recruitment. They did it with cougars on a limited basis so why not with bears to help the elk herd? It wouldn't help this year but there are getting to be quite a few bears in the area and they put the hurt on the calves. If it got introduced for the next three year cycle of rules it might increase the number of calves getting through the spring.
I would bet money that they will not open it to baiting. Spring bear permits maybe, but not baiting. :twocents:
Post by: Matt on May 31, 2011, 12:16:16 PM
They don't have a clue on how well the herd is doing. I don't know where they get their information but it is very misleading. The elk heards in the Yakima are doing way better in the last fews years.
I haven't hunted the Nile in the early season for about 5 years but I know that in the area that I hunt for late season the numbers aren't anywhere near what they were just 10 years ago.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 31, 2011, 12:18:14 PM
Post by: d-rock on June 02, 2011, 11:43:31 AM