So, I commend the DWR and almost all of what they do given the situation they are put in. However, I don't know if I'm just bad at finding elk at this point or if I have a legitimate gripe.
I frequently go on Monroe and Fishlake. I go on the Dutton and Beaver now and then. To me elk numbers have become pitiful especially on Monroe, Dutton, and Fishlake. I realize this is due to pressures from livestock guys in the last few years and a ton of anterless tags as a result. Still population estimates are reasonable on all 3 of those units. I believe the Dutton is still estimated at over 1,800, Monroe is estimated at around 1,000 and Fishlake at 4,000+. I have to say if the elk are there I'm not seeing them, I'm wondering is anyone really? I've been out looking at deer the last couple weeks hard for bucks and have been okay with the amount of deer I've seen, but I've looked high and low and seen some elk but not even a fraction of what I have always seen. It seems anterless elk tags are a bit out of control across the whole state to appease livestock guys.
I'm mainly just wondering, kind of for the areas I've mentioned or even other areas around the state anyone wants to discuss. Are you seeing the elk? Am I just blind? Or are elk numbers way down on these units and other areas around the state? I'm still seeing some elk but not hardly what I usually have seen. And Fishlake, Dutton, Beaver, and Boulder are still being hammered with anterless tags. Just wondering what other people?s thoughts and what you're feeling on what you're seeing on elk numbers?
I frequently go on Monroe and Fishlake. I go on the Dutton and Beaver now and then. To me elk numbers have become pitiful especially on Monroe, Dutton, and Fishlake. I realize this is due to pressures from livestock guys in the last few years and a ton of anterless tags as a result. Still population estimates are reasonable on all 3 of those units. I believe the Dutton is still estimated at over 1,800, Monroe is estimated at around 1,000 and Fishlake at 4,000+. I have to say if the elk are there I'm not seeing them, I'm wondering is anyone really? I've been out looking at deer the last couple weeks hard for bucks and have been okay with the amount of deer I've seen, but I've looked high and low and seen some elk but not even a fraction of what I have always seen. It seems anterless elk tags are a bit out of control across the whole state to appease livestock guys.
I'm mainly just wondering, kind of for the areas I've mentioned or even other areas around the state anyone wants to discuss. Are you seeing the elk? Am I just blind? Or are elk numbers way down on these units and other areas around the state? I'm still seeing some elk but not hardly what I usually have seen. And Fishlake, Dutton, Beaver, and Boulder are still being hammered with anterless tags. Just wondering what other people?s thoughts and what you're feeling on what you're seeing on elk numbers?