Scouting Pack Forest

[Kingpuck]

Went out today to spend some time in the woods and look for good signs. Arrived at the main visitor center and walked a couple of miles of trails. Did not see a single animal footprint or other sign of bear, deer, or elk. Seems like the animals are just gone completely. Going to have to rethink my opening day strategy real quick. Have a Whitcomb tag that I am going to try and fill first. Will be scouting that the 2nd week of August.

With this being my first year hunting the lesson has been learned. Scout all the time and there is no off season when you hunt. Just less people in the woods.

[wraithen]

The other lesson may be to go where the animals are. I haven't been in the woods too much yet but I find myself seeing scat and tracks every time I look at the ground. It's usually at least a week old but it gives me hope all the same. Seeing actual animals however, is a lesson I need to learn. And soon. Good luck!

[Alchase]

Come in from the other side (Eatonville cuttoff road) from Elk Meadows to Hall of giants you will see sign.

You can also drive through the main gate during the week, the roads are open. That helps scout out a little better then walking in from the Main Gate.

[Kingpuck]

Figures I was close but not close enough. It is weird being in the woods and you can feel that you are close but just not sure. Weird how you get a sense of things. Thanks for the tip.

[Alchase]

In Pac forest they like the thick! The roads are used allot during the week.
Go in with a cow call and listen. You will here them in there, though you might not see them even thirty feet away, lol.

[wraithen]

Sorry, but where is pack forest? I've been scouting the area just north of elbe and easy of eatonville in the mashel gmu. Is this the same place? If so I can tell you where to find some sign, but I've never seen an actual animal there.

[Alchase]

 UW PAC Forest sits between Alder cutoff road and hwy 7 east to west, and Eatonville and Alder lake north and south.
Heading South out of Eatonville on the Alder cuttoff road you will see gold and purple gates on the right hand side of the road. Those lead into PAC Forest.

Here you go

[Kingpuck]

Wraithen, you have the same problem as me. Find a lot of sign but no animal. I know they are there but can't find the darn things.

[duckmen1]

I've spent some time in those woods and like I said before there are much better areas to hunt.
it is a small area with not enough animals and is very thick.
you will always hear Mexican brush pickers walking through the woods and more often than not people mistake them for animals out there, why they were black clothing is beyond me.
deer hunting sucks and most elk hang on private land
I'd get to scouting , but make the scouting in areas that will count
for me thats coast for deer, winston for elk

[Kingpuck]

Probably true that there are better places to hunt. I have a doe tag for the Whitcom unit so if that fails I will use the Pack area or another for elk/deer. Just good to have some fall back plans.