collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause  (Read 34252 times)

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9163
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #180 on: January 04, 2022, 05:40:36 PM »
How will it really help? I’ve personally spent many many days and hours glassing those mountains and yet to see a cat?? Years I’ve been all over the wenaha, hiked many miles and no cats, I just don’t get it!!  I know, I should say, I believe all the info about cats being a huge problem, I believe they are most likely the biggest prob, mostly because a guide I know over there says so. But I’m not a horrible hunter and I’ve taken a bunch of bears and seen one wolf, but never had the opportunity to take a cat. If they opened up cougar hunting year round with NO limits, would it really make a dent? Or is this just an easy way for WDFW to show they are trying to help when it’s not a drop in the bucket?  Just a thought here.

Jerry, I hear you. But all I know is that we definitely can’t kill the freaking cats if the season isn’t open.
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline JeepWrangler

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 73
  • Location: United States
  • Groups: Wildlife Committee of Wa, Washington State Bowhunters, Pope and Young
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #181 on: January 04, 2022, 06:24:14 PM »
01/04/2022
06:22pm

DFW Cougar Hunt Area Hotline  (866) 364-4868

Just listened to the recording on the hotline

 * Currently all cougar hunting areas are open *

I would like to recommend the book:

"Calling Cougars - The Ultimate Predator Hunt"
written by Tim Roberts

Good luck to everyone
Member: Washingtonians For Wildlife Conservation
Member: Wildlife Committee of Washington
Member: Washington State Bowhunters
Financial Supporter: Blood Origins
Member: Western Bear Foundation
Pope & Young Book: Washington Black Bear

Offline meatwhack

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1058
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #182 on: January 04, 2022, 06:32:34 PM »
If they opened cats up for hunting at night and removed the quota you’d see some cats hitting the dirt in a hurry.

Offline huntnnw

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 9254
  • Location: Spokane
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #183 on: January 04, 2022, 10:12:06 PM »
How will it really help? I’ve personally spent many many days and hours glassing those mountains and yet to see a cat?? Years I’ve been all over the wenaha, hiked many miles and no cats, I just don’t get it!!  I know, I should say, I believe all the info about cats being a huge problem, I believe they are most likely the biggest prob, mostly because a guide I know over there says so. But I’m not a horrible hunter and I’ve taken a bunch of bears and seen one wolf, but never had the opportunity to take a cat. If they opened up cougar hunting year round with NO limits, would it really make a dent? Or is this just an easy way for WDFW to show they are trying to help when it’s not a drop in the bucket?  Just a thought here.

last time I had a elk tag there I had a cam on a ridge and had 3 different cats walk by in the summer and early fall in the wide open in the daylight. They are there just low odds to get a shot. I am going to try in january as we are getting lots of snow and the elk and deer are going to be super concentrated.

Offline haus

  • Too Tall
  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 1029
  • Location: KITCO
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #184 on: January 05, 2022, 02:56:53 AM »
The cougar population was way high in blues when I was hunting the region in the early 00's. I don't doubt the recent data obtained, but if this were consistent for the past 20 years the elk pop decline would be greater than it currently is, as that calf kill rate is completely insustainable. Guess what I'm getting at is if there has been a shift with the prey focus of the cougar pop in the region, what's the cause?
RMEF

Offline meatwhack

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1058
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #185 on: January 05, 2022, 07:39:20 AM »
The cougar population in the blues is significantly higher now than it was in the early 2000’s.

Offline JakeLand

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4105
  • Location: Wet side
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #186 on: January 05, 2022, 09:08:10 AM »
Advocate for if you’re a licensed trapper and have a cougar tag to be able to trap your cat ! Just being able to trap ( and a NO quota on cougar ) would help put a good dent in density populations

Offline MtnMuley

  • Site Sponsor
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 8635
  • Location: NCW
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #187 on: January 10, 2022, 04:33:46 PM »
The cougar population in the blues is significantly higher now than it was in the early 2000’s.
:yeah:

Offline Browndawg

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 118
  • Location: Camas

Offline Rainier10

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 14476
  • Location: Over the edge
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #189 on: January 23, 2022, 08:59:26 AM »
And cougar hunting is now closed in these units that are struggling with calf recruitment because of the cougar population. :bash: :bash: :bash:

Hunt Area  GMUs 149, 154, 157, 162, 163Late Hunting Season  January 1 - April 30, 2022Status  CLOSED (21 Jan 2022)
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline bearpaw

  • Family, Friends, Outdoors
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 37051
  • Location: Idaho<->Colville
  • "Rather Be Cougar Huntin"
    • http://www.facebook.com/DaleDenney
    • Bearpaw Outfitters
  • Groups: NRA, SCI, F4WM, NWTF, IOGA, MOGA, CCOC, BBB, RMEF, WSTA, WSB
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #190 on: January 23, 2022, 11:06:39 AM »
The cougar population was way high in blues when I was hunting the region in the early 00's. I don't doubt the recent data obtained, but if this were consistent for the past 20 years the elk pop decline would be greater than it currently is, as that calf kill rate is completely insustainable. Guess what I'm getting at is if there has been a shift with the prey focus of the cougar pop in the region, what's the cause?

I would suspect the following scenario: Deer are normally the number one prey for cougar, but in areas where there are more elk than deer cougar will focus on elk. Hunter accounts in this topic mention how the deer have disappeared in the blues (probably due to over predation by cats) now the cats have to shift to elk.
Americans are systematically advocating, legislating, and voting away each others rights. Support all user groups & quit losing opportunity!

http://bearpawoutfitters.com Guided Hunts, Unguided, & Drop Camps in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wash. Hunts with tags available (no draw needed) for spring bear, fall bear, bison, cougar, elk, mule deer, turkey, whitetail, & wolf! http://trophymaps.com DIY Hunting Maps are also offered

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 49015
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #191 on: January 23, 2022, 11:45:20 AM »
Deer haven’t been plentiful in the Blues since at least 2010 and probably further back than that. At least not in the mountains. In the foothills and farm country there was always more deer,  but even that population is nosediving. In 2013 I had 5 different lions on one camera 100’ off of a crp field in the farm country/foothills. One was collared as part of a study 5 ish years earlier and I can’t remember how many miles away. More than a couple miles away.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline meatwhack

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 1058
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #192 on: January 23, 2022, 12:22:11 PM »
I’d say the deer numbers in the blues have been declining since probably the 90’s and have gotten substantially worse the last 10 to 15 years.

Offline Bob33

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 21190
  • Groups: SCI, RMEF, NRA, Hunter Education
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #193 on: January 23, 2022, 12:26:03 PM »
It's raining cats, dogs and bears on our big game.
Nature. It's cheaper than therapy.

Offline Pathfinder101

  • The Chosen YAR
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 11735
  • Location: Southeast WA
  • Semper Primus
Re: Blues Elk Substantial Decline and the Root Cause
« Reply #194 on: January 24, 2022, 11:29:31 AM »
The cougar population was way high in blues when I was hunting the region in the early 00's. I don't doubt the recent data obtained, but if this were consistent for the past 20 years the elk pop decline would be greater than it currently is, as that calf kill rate is completely insustainable. Guess what I'm getting at is if there has been a shift with the prey focus of the cougar pop in the region, what's the cause?

I would suspect the following scenario: Deer are normally the number one prey for cougar, but in areas where there are more elk than deer cougar will focus on elk. Hunter accounts in this topic mention how the deer have disappeared in the blues (probably due to over predation by cats) now the cats have to shift to elk.

This is spot on.   :yeah:  I don't even go to the mountains anymore for deer.  In fact, the only thing I have gone up there for the past few years is bear hunting. 
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal