Elk Hunting Simplified
There’s nothing simple about elk hunting, except for Washington’s new two-tag system this year. Elk hunters either hunt western or eastern Washington, as defined by the crest of Cascade Mountains. When the change was made this spring, the old five-tag system was still reflected in the printed tags. But any Northeast, Blues, Colockum, or Yakima tag is good on the eastside, and west is still west. Elk herd population status varies tremendously across the state, but overall hunting prospects are fair to good. In general, eastern Washington has spike bull only general seasons and western Washington has 3 point minimum antler general bull seasons.
In the far northeast portion of the Selkirk herd, elk populations continue to recover from the winter losses of 96/97, but hunter success is always relatively low due to the abundance of escape cover for widely scattered, small groups of animals. Fresh snow during the season will likely play a greater role in success than the number of elk in the herd. The translocation of about 80 elk from Hanford to Pend Oreille County has proven successful. But only cows and calves were moved here, so other than the few bull calves, there won’t be increased opportunity yet. Because of the elk transplant, antlerless permits were eliminated for 2000 in most of the area. There is either-sex hunting opportunity for elk hunters in the “elk damage areas” (GMU’s 101, 105, 121, 124 W of Highway 395).
The Blue Mountains elk herd populations have improved in most areas, with the exception of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness (unit 169). Hunter success rates will average about 5%, which is consistent with success rates experienced in the 1990’s, but below the 10% success rates experienced in the late 1980’s. This is a spike bull only area, and low calf survival in some parts of the Blues continues to reduce the number of spike bulls available for harvest.
The Yakima herd numbers over 13,000 elk. Spike-only bull elk general season hunting and branched-antlered bull by-permit-only management has been very successful. The management objective of those restrictions is to achieve ratios of 12 antlered bulls per 100 cows after the hunting season, and progress is being made to reach that level.
The outlook isn’t as rosy for the Colockum herd. Calf production and bull ratios are below normal and all branched bull permits have been discontinued this year. The Colockum has some of the most open habitat in the state and elk are vulnerable to over harvest.
Western Washington elk hunting has a three point antler restriction in most general seasons, but some damage areas have other opportunities. In the Puget Sound area elk populations are down and hunting opportunities are limited. The White River unit (653) of Pierce County, located just north of Mt. Rainier National Park, changed the numbers from 472 to 653, but it is the same unit. Harvest success in this area depends on the amount of snow that falls before and after the state established seasons. Elk leave the park only when snowfall in late fall forces them back to lower elevations where they are available to hunters. The Snoqualmie unit (460) has small scattered elk groups that are slowly increasing in size. Persistent hunters who scout effectively can expect to be rewarded with uncrowded hunting conditions and an opportunity to harvest older bulls.
Elk hunting in the Green River Watershed (GMU 485), Nooksack unit GMU 418 and Sauk, GMU 437 remains closed.
In southwest Washington the St. helens elk herd is the second largest in the state. Margaret and Toutle areas remain open only by permit, but other units are open for 3 point or better bulls in the general seasons. Concern over declining populations in several of the units that experience the most harvest pressure, has led to a reduction in cow elk harvest allocation. Managers are striving to reduce cow harvest by at least 50% in units 506 (Willapa Hills), 520 (Winston), and 530 (Ryderwood). To achieve this goal, modern firearm permits were cut in half and cow elk harvest was limited to the early archery season. A precipitous decline of the South Rainier elk herd since 1994 has led to an elimination of antlerless harvest in units 510 (Stormking), 513 (South Rainier), and 516 (Packwood). Loss of habitat and high harvest pressure have led to this decline. Unfortunately, however, as is becoming increasingly the case, damage concerns in some of the wintering range of this herd have led to formulation of new elk damage hunts. These hunts will target specific groups of elk, hopefully alleviating the damage problem and not contributing to the general decline of elk in these units.
The winter in southwest Washington was mild, and relative to the previous two winters, snowfall levels were low in the middle elevations of the Cascades resulting in excellent winter survival. Due to increasing problems with vandalism and garbage dumping, more private timber owners have been placing gates on roads, many open only during hunting seasons. The closures have provided better conditions for wildlife, which should mean greater hunting success for those willing to walk behind gates.
Historically, pre-season ratios of 19 to 33 bulls per 100 cows have been counted in the southwest’s 3-point units. Based upon last year’s harvest and present habitat conditions, ratios are likely to be comparable this year. Access to private lands may be limited, however, due to fire danger and landowner road closures. The best bets for early hunting will be smaller openings and clearcuts, near small patches of mature timber.
In the coastal region of the Olympic Peninsula, elk populations have declined about 40% over the last ten years. WDFW has spent the last three years working with Peninsula tribes on needed harvest reductions and elk populations appear to be responding. Historically, pre-season ratios of 15 to 35 bulls per 100 cows have been counted in Olympic 3-point units. As numbers of elk have responded to reduced antlerless harvest by the state and tribes, more legal bulls have been seen in surveys. Based upon last year’s harvest and present habitat conditions, hunting is likely to improve over the last couple years.
This year the Dickey (GMU 602) will be open for general archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm seasons for the first time in 15 years. Permit only seasons were the rule here the last few years. Pre-season bull ratios are similar to other surrounding units but many low elevation, brushy, thick, swampy areas provide some older bulls hiding places. They also make for difficult hunting conditions. Most areas have brush higher than your head and lots of escape cover for the elk with few openings for a clear shot. If you are prepared and willing to deal with this, bull elk hunting could be surprisingly good for you here.
The best hunting opportunities should be in the southern and eastern part of the region where elk are expanding. The Bear River unit (681) and North River unit (658) should be good again this year. Elk are expanding their range in the Skookumchuck unit and some local elk are now spending the winter on private farms causing damage problems. The Minot Peak unit (660) holds the Chehalis Valley elk sub-herd during spring, summer, and fall. This growing herd now numbers more than 200 and will provide good opportunity this year for archers, muzzleloaders, and modern firearm hunters.
The Willapa Hills area should offer good hunting again this year. Much of the area has road access restrictions that limit vehicle entry. Best hunting opportunities are in these areas where vehicle disturbance is avoided. Most hunters hunt less than a mile from roads and the energetic hunter is often rewarded by seeing more elk.
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