Oregon elk

[West1234]

How are elk doing as a whole in Oregon? Especially the rockies?

 

[tailchaser]

It's definitely in a downward trend. The footprint of wolves in Oregon is growing daily in the NE section and the affects of huge numbers of cow tags in the Central units are starting to show also. If you have points built up, burn them sooner than later. You can still find elk, but overall the population numbers are moving in the wrong direction. I don't see any way to turn the tide until ODFW changes the management on predators. Which I have zero faith will happen anytime soon.

 

[baltz526]

Expect more tag reductions every year. ODFW program of Elk herd reduction has been nearly completed. Most areas are stripped of huntable populations. The balance are over hunted. Success rates in the 5% to 15% are the new normal. Even on cow tags.

 

[osu92]

Don't forget to mention that ODFW has ridiculously low management objectives set for every unit in the state, and often they're not even meeting those. Bull:cow ratio targets at 10:100??? ODFW is ALL about selling tags and won't let actual herd dynamics stand in their way.

 

[Willametteriveroutlaw]

Depends on where you are hunting, North east is tough. The John Day Valley is pretty steady, there's getting to be more in the desert..