How do you feel about helping new guys?

[dkecoleman]

So I'm courious, what do you guys think about all the new guys asking questions and advice about elk hunting?  I have decided next year I'm going to put all my efforts into elk hunting. I have a lot of questions I would like to ask but it seems most guys are hesitant about giving advice for some reason and I do understand, nobody wants to work hard to find a spot or get to know an area, just to have more people in there. I guess I have mixed emotions about asking for help, but not knowing much about different areas around the state makes it tough for a new guy.

[JLS]

I really enjoy helping people understand elk hunting so they can know where to look, how to hunt, what tactics to try, etc.  I'm no pro, and I've screwed up more than my share of opportunities.

I won't tell you where I hunt, but I'll tell you how I decide what KIND of places to hunt

[kglacken]

I like helping new guys and helping others in hopes of someone helping me out when I need advice too. I only point close friends to some of my favorite areas, but I dont mind giving people a general area to look at or tactics. I think hunting is a constant learning experience and people need to learn from experience, but if you dont know where to start, who better to ask than hunters? I dont mind people asking for information, as long as they dont expect others to do all the work for them. 

[PlateauNDN]

I don't have a problem helping and I do it quite often thru PM's, I at one point years ago didn't know what I know now and a lot of what I know I figured out myself and then received assistance with filling the gaps.  If its a genuine legitimate person who's worked their tail off and just needs a neudge then I don't see a problem but, if its the day before and their asking "where's the critters" then sorry go find out.

[6x6in6]

I have no problem helping someone.
For every 20 "strap up the boots and scout" posts, there are a handful of behind the scenes PM's that are sent out.  Sometimes they are acknowledged in a post with a "thanks for the PM".  I know, I have received a few of these thanks and I have seen where others have received these thanks publicly.  Others have thanked me via a return PM.
No one's getting a specific honey hole out of me but they do get general areas that might be near areas where I have hunted, past or present.
Sharing a success story when you sent a person in a direction that produced a successful harvest, is good enough for me.

[Button Nubbs]

Ill tell you the exact formula to my success down to every last detail, but I won't tell you where I hunt.

Always how never where...

[kentrek]

special draw or very common ares is the only time id give out locations,other than that you might aswell assume im not being honest with ya 

the honey holes are def double top secret

really best thing to ask is "what to look for" type of questions,i/most have a pretty simple set of requirements when looking for elk country,those requirements is what id be asking for..then hit the maps  also you need to look at yourself just as much as the elk

[sled]

  If you draw a permit for 340 next year send me a on and I'll help ya out.

[Kowsrule30]

I have no problem helping give the basics and some little extras about some things I may know about some areas I'm familiar with.... To anybody... Just not going to hold your hand and spill my beans of everything I know about certain areas... Some no problem I don't even hunt there anymore... So it would probably just piss somebody else off.... The easiest part is scouting and finding where and when you want to hunt.... The hardest part usually is connecting the dots, putting it all together, and making it actually happen... Some people do it yearly.... And you know there are people who have done everything they possibly can scouting, game pin pointed, time, money wise, ect.... Very experienced hunters who still eat a tag... The only way to really find out is to do it....

So where you plan on hunting??      I may spill some beans....

[dkecoleman]

I didn't really expect so many replies, so I thank you for that. As far as where I plan on hunting, thats a good question. First, I plan on archery hunting. I want to put in the effort and really do alot of scouting, I would like to get away from the crowds, if that possible. I'm torn between east and west. I really want to hunt in eastern washington, because I would perfer a spot and stalk type hunt, but who doesn't want a shot at a decent bull. I've read the harvest reports and the little naches gmu seems like a good choice, but I have read about it crawling with people. Seems like you should be able to get away from people if you work hard enough. It's also only a couple of hours from home so that would help in being prepared.

[h2ofowlr]

I would help out through a PM on a location.  Never on a the public forum.  Had my hand bitten a few time early on for this.  At the same time, I work hard at it and spend a lot of time learning new spots.  I did receive some good info through PM's on a spring bear hunt I drew, but I also spent around 20 days in the area hitting it hard before I harvested my bear.  I just wish some individuals would put the extra effort into learning areas and chasing game vs. looking for hand outs.  I think some just don't have the time to scout and some are just to lazy to scout.  Just don't know which percentage is greater. 

[arees]

I also received incredible help from the people on this site when I drew a spring bear tag.  Maybe it is something about bear hunters.

I put some effort into documenting my questions and learning experiences from that hunt on this site.  Hopefully, some of my questions and the answers I got could help a new hunter that can use the search function.  I have also helped some people with areas to hunt that I found in the bear area I drew, just not the same ones the people on this site showed me.

[bowjunkie]

i am fairly new to hunting still struggling a little with those damb elk but i keep going out if it was not for a scrap or two i find threw looking at old posts i would not have even new where to begin scouting/hunting so as a new bow hunter i want to say thanks to all of you who have responded my posts and others thanks again and some day i will be more than willling to share to a point like others but as of now no one wants my advise on places i promise that unless all u want is to have a great veiw while eating lunch

[pianoman9701]

I've only killed one elk with a bow, but I've done a lot of hunting. I'm not sure how much help I'll be! 

Look at the different topics for info on elk hunting, equipment, maps, and you find a lot of information that's already available. This site is a wealth of info. As Plateau stated, many members will PM you with suggestions or information. Contact the local DFW bio for the area you 're interested in hunting and you'll get tons of quality info. Look at the harvest reports on the WDFW website.

[dkecoleman]

I'm not too worried about the harvest, I guess I should say I don't have to arrow one to be satisfied this coming year. For me, I just want to head out with a plan, that I have confidence in. I don't want to head out for a hunt and feel like I'm just wondering around waiting to get lucky. So what are your guys thought's EAST VS WEST? Also, if anyone has spent much time in 346, is it a spot and stalk type of terrian, or too wooded for that?