Elk Hunting Holding Its Own

Elk herd population status varies tremendously across the state, but overall hunting prospects are good. In general, eastern Washington has spike bull only general seasons and western Washington has three-point minimum antler general bull seasons. High wildfire danger may mean both public and private land closures, restricting elk hunting access.

In the far northeast portion of the Selkirk herd 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.

In the southeast, 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 1990s, but below the 10% success rates experienced in the late 1980s. 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.

In southcentral Washington, the Yakima herd numbers are about 12,000 elk. The management objective is to reduce the population because of increased damage problems and habitat concerns. As a result, a significant increase in antlerless permits are authorized for this year. The hunting outlook isn’t as rosy for the Colockum herd. Calf production and bull ratios are still below normal and all branched bull permits have been discontinued again this year.

In the north Puget Sound area elk populations are down and hunting opportunities are limited. The unit number for the White River was changed from 472 to 653, but it is the same unit. Elk hunting in the Green River Watershed (GMU 485), Nooksack unit GMU 418 and Sauk, GMU 437 remains closed.

In southwest Washington, last winter was very mild, resulting in excellent winter survival of elk. Historically, pre-season ratios of 19 to 33 bulls per 100 cows have been recorded in 3-point units. Concern over declining populations in several of the units with high 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, 520, and 530. To achieve this goal, modern firearm antlerless permits were reduced by half, and cow opportunity for archers has been limited this year to the first 12 days of the late archery season. A precipitous decline of the South Rainier elk herd since1994 has led to an elimination of antlerless harvest in units 510, 513, and 516. Loss of habitat and high harvest pressure is believed to have led to this decline.

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 Indian 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. This year the Dickey (GMU 602) will be open for archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm general seasons for the second time in 15 years. Pre-season bull ratios are similar to other surrounding units but many, brushy, thick, swampy areas provide some older bulls hiding places. They also make for difficult hunting conditions. The best hunting opportunities should be in the southern and eastern part of the region where elk are expanding. The Willapa Hills area should offer good hunting again this year. Much of the area has road access restrictions that limit vehicle entry, but that’s where the best hunting is found. Elk are also expanding their range in the Skookumchuck unit (667) and the Minot Peak unit (660). These growing herds are now spending time on private farms causing increased damage problems.