Lots of hunters!

[brokehunter]

I've been hunting here in western WA for several years now, and one thing I can't seem to get over is the amount of other hunters out there. Especially during elk season! During deer season it was crowded enough, but elk seemed a lot worse to me. I grew up and hunted in Oregon most my life, and yes there were and are quite a few hunters, but seemed like an awful lot more during deer season. I can remember elk hunting with my dad near the Sisters, and only seeing a handful of other hunters.

Last year my buddy and I covered a lot of ground. We hunted the Winston and the Coweeman mostly. There were two spots that looked like an Elk hunting nation. RVs, trucks, and tents just about as far as the eye could see. If you looked long enough, you could just about see a portable MacDonalds and a Star Bucks! So we did what anyone would do. We figured we would walk into a closed gate area. That was literally hilarious. One gate had no fewer than 15 trucks parked near it! 

Anyone else get frustrated with finding a good spot? Just curious. I know I plan on getting up much earlier, and walking in even further this year. But I am almost betting I will see another Orange vest. Maybe a MacDonalds out in the middle of the woods with 20 other elk hunters there already. Who knows?

[pianoman9701]

First of all, is this the modern season or what? Secondly, are you hunting in places completely covered by logging roads that some have key access to? Get away from timber company land if you're tired of seeing other people, especially companies that sell vehicle access.

I used to get frustrated until I picked different units and decided to hike in more than a quarter mile. 90% of the guys hunting hike for 10 or 15 minutes and sit down. The two units you described are heavily hunted. You may need to think about going closer to the middle of the state or hunting E. WA and plan to go deep. My 

[ghosthunter]

switch to Black powder

[mazama]

Eastside for deer,westside for elk.

[Buckmark]

Hike a little further?
Look at a map and find access points that put you into the area ahead of the other people, will most likely not be an easy route, but worth it.
Drive 2 -3 miles past the gate and bushwack into the area (most people dont go very far)
Get used to it if your hunting any modern season.
Shelf the rifle and take up another weapon choice, you will be suprised how different the seasons are.

[Kola16]

Hunt the NE corner for elk 

[Buschingc]

Eastside for deer,westside for elk.

Eastside for deer is crazy with hunters.. Stay on the wetside..   

[muzbuster]

switch to Black powder

no no no , switching to archery would be waaaay better 

[Kowsrule30]

You are hunting 2 of the most heaviest hunted units for elk on the west side..... 

[iRem]

You are hunting 2 of the most heaviest hunted units for elk on the west side..... 

X2. Yeah that's what I was thinking!

[Button Nubbs]

We found a nice little slice of heaven that does not have near the numbers of elk of the two units you described but in turn our group along with 2-3 other guys have the whole place to ourselves.

Ill take less animals and fewer hunters over tons of animals and hunters anyday.

The animals we hunt seem to be of better quality and less skittish also.

Find a new area

[shorthair15]

the winston is a zoo i live about 30 minutes from there still dont hunt it for elk i hunt it for deer. the coweeman is 15 minutes from where i live there are alot of elk there but a ton of road hunters as well. you cant drive down a road without seeing some one hunting out of there truck. if you get out and try and get in a area and go back in a few miles it will help some. you could try hunting with a muzzleloader for elk may cut down on the people but there are fewer units to hunt and everyone crams into a few units that are open. i hunt archery.retired the rifles to bear hunting along time ago.

[brokehunter]

I've thought about muzzle loader, but I don't know. One shot and ya got to get in pretty close. And no offense to you stick (bow) hunters, but I did the bow hunting thing several years back, had a bad experience with it, and will never do it again. Plus even after days and weeks of practice still couldn't hit the broadside of a barn

And yeah, I've also hunted a few other units on the west side with similar results. And it's not that I don't mind other hunters out there, it's just finding a place to call your own. But I think Button Nubbs is right. I wouldn't mind finding a nice place with a few less people and animals. I do study the maps pretty hard, how can you not? ANd this year will be no different. My buddies and I will find our place sooner or later. I can tell you that due to becoming a member of this site and the help I've received off of it, I did get into a lot of animals this last year. More so than all the years I've been hunting in WA. So I can't complain too loudly! So thanks to all of you on here who help out each other!

[rebal69972]

i hunt the winston and mossrock and have for the last 3 years. i see the same 4 guys during early season then the whole place turns into a zoo in late season but i hunt archery the only really good thing about winston is those smoke pole are not aloud in there during late season. hunting anywhere during mod season is going to be a pain in the but unless your willing to go farther then anyone else.

[muzbuster]

I've thought about muzzle loader, but I don't know. One shot and ya got to get in pretty close. And no offense to you stick (bow) hunters, but I did the bow hunting thing several years back, had a bad experience with it, and will never do it again. Plus even after days and weeks of practice still couldn't hit the broadside of a barn

Yeah I'm sure of it ....you just need to practice more with the bow. You dont want to go muzzeloader.. dam things never go boom when you need them to.