Just a little FYI.... Those are probably a split of the larger herd we have in our area.. A few years ago or so, people started seeing a small group on daily basis. Origanally they were in the 304 th area that is now the new Dump... They winter down here and summer up higher mostly in hills above Kapowsin.. The few multiplied into a herd numbering 40 plus.. Last year it was noted that that group has split forming a complete new group. There are now at least 5 adult bulls that are seen in the area that vi for the females. A private timber company owns the area that they are known to calf in.... By the time we see them down here the calves are pretty well weened. There's a couple of Large cattle fields on Webster Rd... The owner usually winters or sells his beef before the cold weather sets in. The Elk then move in.... Its amazing to see them because the groups will often graze close by. We usually can find them in the early mornings.. My fave thing is to watch in Rut and the young Bulls "play". They are fantastic animals...
You are right they can do a lot of damage. They are a fast moving animal in their grazing. Some of the remaining farms in our area are trying to discourage them grazing and staying here... A few have put up very Large High fences. they are trying to get the Elk to pass through another area. When It was just a few Elk it wasn't a big deal but with the growing numbers. You can imagine the pasture lost to Elk rather than to Cattle and the hoof damage to ground. The reason I learned about this was because I asked a farm I was visiting .. What the huge fences were for... they looked like they could hold an elephant.. but it was only 3 sided?? That's when I learned about what the farmer calls Detour Management.
I was raised out here and honestly never saw an elk until a few years ago. I was told that they have been here ... We just didn't see them because they had plenty of space. Now with growth they are adapting
I was told that Fish and Wildlife are monitoring these herds.. simply because they are in a pretty populated area. I have never checked to see if that is true. I just enjoy getting my morning coffee and heading out with my camera and lens to "Shoot" a few
You are right they can do a lot of damage. They are a fast moving animal in their grazing. Some of the remaining farms in our area are trying to discourage them grazing and staying here... A few have put up very Large High fences. they are trying to get the Elk to pass through another area. When It was just a few Elk it wasn't a big deal but with the growing numbers. You can imagine the pasture lost to Elk rather than to Cattle and the hoof damage to ground. The reason I learned about this was because I asked a farm I was visiting .. What the huge fences were for... they looked like they could hold an elephant.. but it was only 3 sided?? That's when I learned about what the farmer calls Detour Management.
I was raised out here and honestly never saw an elk until a few years ago. I was told that they have been here ... We just didn't see them because they had plenty of space. Now with growth they are adapting
I was told that Fish and Wildlife are monitoring these herds.. simply because they are in a pretty populated area. I have never checked to see if that is true. I just enjoy getting my morning coffee and heading out with my camera and lens to "Shoot" a few
