Elk Forecast
Are you determined to get your bull this fall? Here's a state-by-state breakdown of what to expect for this season gathered by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Elk and elk hunting opportunities are abundant in much of North America, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is offering a sneak peek at upcoming seasons in its annual roundup of hunt forecasts for 28 states and provinces, now posted at www.rmef.org. "Generally speaking, elk populations are in great shape and hunters have much to look forward to across the West, as well as in several Midwestern and Eastern states," said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation. "A mild winter, much needed spring and summer moisture and our habitat conservation successes all factor into our optimism for the upcoming hunting season."
Photo by: Andrew Osterberg
AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
|
Outdoorlife.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2013 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Print
Email
Share
Comments (11)
Missouri Conservation just announced that they are reintroducing Elk in the SE counties. I sure hope they don't drop off a pack of Wolves with them! I often wonder why conservation is trying to increase the number of predators. In WV and MD, Black Bears are seen in back yards everyday. Here in MO people are seeing more Mountain Lions. And, I read all the time about the Wolves up north. Maybe, anti-hunters are thinking, if there are enough natural predators to keep large game in check, there will be no need of human hunters. Just a thought.
If you know there are no elk in the old hunting areas then adapt and hunt new areas, areas that you know there are fewer if any wolves in. I hunt Wyoming and know that there are some area around Yellowstone where the elk numbers are down. So instead of hunting there I go east into the Big Horns or The Medicine Bow NF.
I agree with ericredshane i live in montana as well and elk numbers have taken a dump due to the wolves.
Any day of the year i can shoot a wolf here, not elk.
30 years ago the herd on my land was around 75 now it hovers around 15. every spring i come across multiple carcass of elk from wolf kills. organizations like RMEF need to realize the real problem.
does not help that point regulating whitetail hunters would love to see the same for elk.
which would dramatically drop hunter success and the overall appeal to out of state hunters.
Sounds like Mr. ericredshane needs to check his facts or just has an axe to grind with a stellar conservation organization. The RMEF has probably done more to expand elk herds throughout N. America and expand elk hunting opportunities in recent years, than any other group or individual. Especially for the average guy. Also, the RMEF has been openly vocal in support of wolf managment plans administered by the individual states which includes hunting. I try to be respectful of other people's opinions, but when their statements are just out and out false, it's hard to ignore.
Would I believe anything from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation? A truly anti-hunting, pro-outfitter, wealthy, green organization? Yeah right. I live in MT and all you have to do is look at the out of state tag sales. They used to sell out winthin a week, now you can get them at anytime. Everyone found out there's no game here anymore. Thanks to organizations like the RMEF and all the people wanting the wolf re-introduction.
The ultimate goal is to keep us peasants out of woods and only accessible to the wealthy. Time to wake up everyone and irradicate the wolf. Do not support the RMEF!
Idaho had to raise the price for residents also because lack of no resident sales do to declining game herds for fault of wolves.
The price of a nonresident tag is absolutely depressing. Apparently all these states and provinces have all the hunters they need/want!
I gave up hunting the Salmon River country in 2005...a friend & I hunted 22 days straight & saw only 2 bulls in rifle season. We made 9 trips there , we know were the elk used to be...there not there anymore ! I made my first trip to Salmon in 1991. Two friends & I hiked up into a general season area we had never been to , without guides or horses & harvested 3 5x5 bulls. If you hike up into that area now , all you see are WOLF tracks !
Are we nuts? Elk in abundance?? You gotta be kidding me! The northern Yellowstone heard is down from 19000 to 6000 animals. The Lolo heard is down from 6000 to under 2000 animals. In the place I've hunted for 40 years just south of the park, the numbers are in the tank. One year not along ago, I hunted hard for 6 days and did not see an elk! Another year, six hunters hunted hard for 6 days and harvested two cows. This is an area where elk abounded prior to the wolf reintroduction. It was not uncommon for six hunters to fill their tags in a couple of days with nice bulls.
If the hunters and gun owners in this nation don't get on the ball and realize the conflict we are in with the anti-gun/anti-hunter wolf lover crowd, the only thing that will extinct is the hunter.
I live 15 miles from the Tex creek zone and hunted it for the entire season. Better have about 3ft of snow to get them in there it was the worst tag I ever had. If ran until Dec or they had the late hunts like they used to that would work. A friend of mine lives in the Beaverhead zone and I got drawn for a late cow tag this year the only thing is that yes the wolves are heavy in that area.
So I am assuming that the Middle Fork and Salmon areas are among the units that aren't doing very well?? That is where I will be this fall
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Are we nuts? Elk in abundance?? You gotta be kidding me! The northern Yellowstone heard is down from 19000 to 6000 animals. The Lolo heard is down from 6000 to under 2000 animals. In the place I've hunted for 40 years just south of the park, the numbers are in the tank. One year not along ago, I hunted hard for 6 days and did not see an elk! Another year, six hunters hunted hard for 6 days and harvested two cows. This is an area where elk abounded prior to the wolf reintroduction. It was not uncommon for six hunters to fill their tags in a couple of days with nice bulls.
If the hunters and gun owners in this nation don't get on the ball and realize the conflict we are in with the anti-gun/anti-hunter wolf lover crowd, the only thing that will extinct is the hunter.
The price of a nonresident tag is absolutely depressing. Apparently all these states and provinces have all the hunters they need/want!
I gave up hunting the Salmon River country in 2005...a friend & I hunted 22 days straight & saw only 2 bulls in rifle season. We made 9 trips there , we know were the elk used to be...there not there anymore ! I made my first trip to Salmon in 1991. Two friends & I hiked up into a general season area we had never been to , without guides or horses & harvested 3 5x5 bulls. If you hike up into that area now , all you see are WOLF tracks !
Idaho had to raise the price for residents also because lack of no resident sales do to declining game herds for fault of wolves.
I agree with ericredshane i live in montana as well and elk numbers have taken a dump due to the wolves.
Any day of the year i can shoot a wolf here, not elk.
30 years ago the herd on my land was around 75 now it hovers around 15. every spring i come across multiple carcass of elk from wolf kills. organizations like RMEF need to realize the real problem.
does not help that point regulating whitetail hunters would love to see the same for elk.
which would dramatically drop hunter success and the overall appeal to out of state hunters.
If you know there are no elk in the old hunting areas then adapt and hunt new areas, areas that you know there are fewer if any wolves in. I hunt Wyoming and know that there are some area around Yellowstone where the elk numbers are down. So instead of hunting there I go east into the Big Horns or The Medicine Bow NF.
So I am assuming that the Middle Fork and Salmon areas are among the units that aren't doing very well?? That is where I will be this fall
I live 15 miles from the Tex creek zone and hunted it for the entire season. Better have about 3ft of snow to get them in there it was the worst tag I ever had. If ran until Dec or they had the late hunts like they used to that would work. A friend of mine lives in the Beaverhead zone and I got drawn for a late cow tag this year the only thing is that yes the wolves are heavy in that area.
Missouri Conservation just announced that they are reintroducing Elk in the SE counties. I sure hope they don't drop off a pack of Wolves with them! I often wonder why conservation is trying to increase the number of predators. In WV and MD, Black Bears are seen in back yards everyday. Here in MO people are seeing more Mountain Lions. And, I read all the time about the Wolves up north. Maybe, anti-hunters are thinking, if there are enough natural predators to keep large game in check, there will be no need of human hunters. Just a thought.
Sounds like Mr. ericredshane needs to check his facts or just has an axe to grind with a stellar conservation organization. The RMEF has probably done more to expand elk herds throughout N. America and expand elk hunting opportunities in recent years, than any other group or individual. Especially for the average guy. Also, the RMEF has been openly vocal in support of wolf managment plans administered by the individual states which includes hunting. I try to be respectful of other people's opinions, but when their statements are just out and out false, it's hard to ignore.
Would I believe anything from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation? A truly anti-hunting, pro-outfitter, wealthy, green organization? Yeah right. I live in MT and all you have to do is look at the out of state tag sales. They used to sell out winthin a week, now you can get them at anytime. Everyone found out there's no game here anymore. Thanks to organizations like the RMEF and all the people wanting the wolf re-introduction.
The ultimate goal is to keep us peasants out of woods and only accessible to the wealthy. Time to wake up everyone and irradicate the wolf. Do not support the RMEF!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)