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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Southeastern Hunters Will Have Blues

Fenton Roskelley Correspondent

Ninety-five percent of those who hunt elk in the far-eastern region of Washington likely will have to settle for venison or beef.

Elk hunting will be tough again this year.

If the weather cooperates with elk hunters in the Yakima and Colockum areas, the elk kill should be up a little from that of last year. The bull-cow ratio has improved considerably the last couple of years as the result of stringent management rules.

But while the Blue Mountains elk herds are still lagging, the herds in the northeast corner of the state are slowly gaining ground. About 40 percent of the elk killed in the Spokane region last year were taken in Spokane, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, biologists said. Ten years ago, these counties produced only a pittance of the region’s elk harvest.

Spokane County’s elk also are contributing more and more to the overall harvest. Last year, 7 percent of hunters who bought tags in Spokane County took home elk.

“This year’s hunting framework for archery and muzzleloader seasons, Advanced Hunter Education graduates and special draw modern firearm either-sex permits should provide even more opportunity,” biologists said.

In the Blue Mountains, special permit holders could find some nice bulls, but a spike-bull-only rule remains in effect for the general seasons to boost older bull ratios for better productivity.

“Poor elk calf survival continues to plague herds in the Blue Mountains,” biologists said. “Yearling spike bulls available to hunters are few and far between, with last year’s crop of calves at the lowest level on record - 16 calves per 100 cows.

“Hunters averaged a 5-percent success rate (in the Blues) last year and this year will be no better. The better areas this year should be units 154, 160, 161, 166, 169 and 172.

This will be the third season for spike-bulls-only during the general season and branched-antler-bulls by permit in the Yakima region. The bull-cow ratios in the Yakima and Colockum herds is improving, but still not adequate for general hunting of branched-antler bulls.

“Post-season ratios in 1994 were five bulls per 100 cows and calves; last year that increased to nine bulls per 100 cows in the Colockum and 10 per 100 in the Yakima area,” biologists reported.

Spike bulls will again supply ample opportunity for general season hunters.

, DataTimes