Landowner complaints compound the management difficulties for the Colockum herd because the elk often range into areas of private land. As a result, hunters shouldn't expect anything special in the area this fall.

The Blue Mountains herd also experienced a long decline over the last 20 years. It was the first herd to be managed with spike-only regulations during the general season. As in the Oregon side of the Blue Mountains, calf survival has been below targets, and predation is the problem, biologists said.

Two years ago, the Schoolhouse fire destroyed considerable elk habitat in the upper Tucannon River valley. Last year's Columbia Complex fire appears to have done little long-term damage. This fall, hunters should expect hunting similar to recent years in the Dayton, Blue Creek, and Mountain View units.

Hunting in northeast Region 1's Selkirk Mountains presents entirely different challenges than in the Blues. The Selkirk herd is smaller than the Blues, but is expanding. The WDFW would like it to increase in Pend Oreille and eastern Stevens counties.

However, northeast elk habitat has understory vegetation that is much more dense than in other areas. It's easy to spook elk before you ever see them. Hunting here is more difficult, but it also lets some bulls grow impressive racks.

The Mount Spokane, Selkirk, and 49 Degrees North units will most likely turn out the most bulls this year, and hunters can kill any bull.

Large numbers of elk are also killed in the Region 1's north-central units. But almost all of this land is private, and access is nearly impossible to obtain.

All elk are trophies, and any Washington or Oregon hunter who tags an elk this fall has bragging rights that will last throughout the year.

Find more about Washington-Oregon fishing and hunting at WOgameandfish.com