Author Topic: East Slopes Elk Populations (Read 3098 times)

BullShooter · « **on:** May 09, 2011, 07:38:01 PM »

I spoke to a biologist that is currently researching elk migrations and he told me that the populations were very healthy. With the winter we had, this really surprised me (and him). The elk were migrating much further east than normal where there was an abundance of feed, especially hay bales that had been left in the field due to last year's wet conditions. I had a chance to go out one evening and counted well over three hundred head of elk in 5 differrent herds northwest of Pincher Creek. Most of the bales were decimated. The elk are well-fed and should taste especially good this fall! Regards, Mike

Paul · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:10:05 PM »

There been a lot of doom and gloom talk about winter kill, I think the antelope did suffer from what I hear, but most other populations did OK, I travel Red Deer to Sylvan Lake daily and there is no shortage of road killed deer in the past couple weeks.

bubbasno1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:06:00 PM »

I am glad to hear the elk seem to be doing well. I know quite a few deer didn't fair so well in the south western portion of the province.

Bubba

ducky_hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:13:50 PM »

nice to hear about the good elk herds I have been seeing lots of Deer west of Rockey and boy do they look real healthy. Hope the antalope rebound quick

BullShooter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:17:25 PM »

Bubba, I heard the deer in WMU400 were in pretty tough shape as well as stranded populations towards Westcastle. There were, however, a lot of animals (both whitetails and mulies) in the foothills and they looked pretty good from what I could tell.

Paul, I was told by a rancher in southeast Alberta that a lot of the antelope had migrated south and of course the ones that stayed have not fared so well. I think Montana got hit pretty hard as well and a lot of antelope wound up in Wyoming. I guess the big question is will they take up permanent U.S. residency?

220swifty · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:42:35 PM »

I would think the elk would be less affected by the heavy snows of the winter, but who knows. If i can't shoot a bull this fall, I think i will take it out on the wolves this winter.

MountainMan375 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2011, 01:10:56 AM »

i want to know where this bio came up with this stuff
we were out in the west county quadding this weekend and came across 3 dead elk
in all my years i have never seen one dead elk in the spring
im pretty woried about the whole thing

BullShooter · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2011, 06:44:12 AM »

MountainMan - It was part of the Montane Elk Study that is currently being conducted by several groups. There are several animals in various herds in southwest alberta that have been collared with GPS and radio collars. At the time I spoke to the biologist a few weeks ago, all animals were alive and apparently doing well. What area were you quadding? Regards, Mike

Lurch · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:44:29 AM »

Across the valley from you Bullshooter - I am hearing they did OK, but they were way East of where they normally winter. They are just coming back through normal winter range now...

The Sheep Reaper · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2011, 11:17:47 AM »

Lurch,

those brown red and white "Elk" you speak of are not the same ones Bullshooter see's...lol

gitrdun · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:43:06 AM »

Took a backroads drive just south and around my place two weekends ago. Saw about 200 elk, and the deer were everywhere. Elk looked in great shape, the deer looked pretty scrawny though. They'll fatten up before fall.

BruceW · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2011, 03:58:33 PM »

Depends where you're looking in S. Ab. Basically, E and SE of Taber to the overpass got feet more snow than W of Taber, and the further SE you go, the deeper the snow was. Most simply don't believe how deep the snow was from Bow Island SSE to the US border and onto the bench.

What I can speak for is in my little piece of the world where my land is.
I hope I'm wrong, but if you're planning on putting in for antelope to hunt the ESE portion of 112 I strongly suggest you do some spotting before you waste your priority. I could tell you the numbers, but you wouldn't believe me.
I can't speak as to other areas.

I'm not suggesting you don't hunt in our area, I really don't care. I'm just saying IMO you may want to do some spotting before you do your draws, that's all.

BullShooter · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:21:05 PM »

Quote from: BruceW on May 15, 2011, 03:58:33 PM

Depends where you're looking in S. Ab. Basically, E and SE of Taber to the overpass got feet more snow than W of Taber, and the further SE you go, the deeper the snow was. Most simply don't believe how deep the snow was from Bow Island SSE to the US border and onto the bench.

What I can speak for is in my little piece of the world where my land is.
I hope I'm wrong, but if you're planning on putting in for antelope to hunt the ESE portion of 112 I strongly suggest you do some spotting before you waste your priority. I could tell you the numbers, but you wouldn't believe me.
I can't speak as to other areas.

I'm not suggesting you don't hunt in our area, I really don't care. I'm just saying IMO you may want to do some spotting before you do your draws, that's all.

You are absolutely correct about the amount of snow in the SE part of the Province... it truly was unbelievable. I think your suggestion about spotting is great advice.

Angus81 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2011, 10:51:00 PM »

My wife and I have seen elk the last three times we've been out west of Rocky. Funny it never happens like that when you're actually looking for them.

Angus81 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2011, 10:53:36 PM »

We've also seen a lot of deer, both muleys and whitetails. They looked to be in pretty good shape, so did the elk.

BruceW · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:10:54 AM »

It's the numbers in the herds this spring I was referring to. Like I said, I'm only referring to my local little area where I know where they are and their normal movements.

And, like I said, I hope I'm wrong, I'm just suggesting some spotting may be prudent in my area.

The snow levels we had were like the area had in the mid 60's. MedHat had much less, and the levels dropped rapidly as you move W. I'm not repeating what I've heard, just what I've seen.

BruceW · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2011, 09:35:29 PM »

Thanks, I'm sure it will, as it always does in the long run.

When I was a kid of 12 or 14? We had a winter with deep snow and a particularly long cold snap. I was very worried none of the local deer would make it, so I threw a few bales into the truck and spread them on the edge of the coulee for them. Well, the local game warden found out and gave me a real "talkin' to", but once he realized it was just well meaning ignorance he let it slide.
As it turned out, the deer never even touched the hay anyway, and within a couple yrs the numbers were back to normal.

I only mentioned it because of the high priority to get an antelope tag so anyone thinking of drawing may want to do some spotting first.

Author Topic: East Slopes Elk Populations (Read 3098 times)

BullShooter

East Slopes Elk Populations

Paul

Re: East Slopes Elk Populations

bubbasno1

Re: East Slopes Elk Populations

ducky_hunter

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BullShooter

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220swifty

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MountainMan375

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BullShooter

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Lurch

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The Sheep Reaper

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gitrdun

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BruceW

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BullShooter

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Angus81

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Angus81

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BruceW

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BruceW

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