How do you feel about helping new guys?

[washelkhunter]

I like helping new folks out hunting. Hell if someone had'nt initially helped me i would'nt be hunting. You gotta give back.

[carlyoungs]

 

[boneaddict]

Honestly it depends alot on attitude, for which at this point I'd give you an A

[ghosthunter]

I like helping new folks out hunting. Hell if someone had'nt initially helped me i would'nt be hunting. You gotta give back.

Ditto

[JPhelps]

I will help with everything besides location, but I will help you out on how to find your own area 

I have no secrets when it comes to gear questions, calling strategies, knowledge of elk, etc...

ASK AWAY

[grundy53]

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. 

[dkecoleman]

Thanks Bone, I do really want to do things the right way, I grew up on a farm in Kentucky hunting whitetails, This out here is a whole different ball of wax. I have been fooling around with hancock the last couple of years, haven't had much success, the worst part of it is, I haven't gotton out and learned much about the rest of the state, and the type of hunting I dreamed about when I was a kid. I really want to get serious in 2013, An elk and a bear are my goals before I have to move from Washington. Or at the very least, learn enough to feel like I have accomplished something.

[grundy53]

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?

Personally if I were just starting out and wanted to bow hunt, I would hunt the westside. There is still plenty of spot and stalking plus a lot of cover, and (I know someone will disagree with me) I think it's easiest to hunt a lone rag horn looking for love.

[dkecoleman]

Grundy, I have read that a few times about young bulls, they get pushed out by the herd bull, should be easier to call, makes sense in my simple mind The thing that worries me about the westside is the number of hunters and the thickness of the woods, I haven't done so hot at that in Kapowsin, don't know if it's all like that or not. I am willing to work to get away from them, bike-in or hike-in, I'm good with whatever it takes, and I am by no means ruling out the westside.

[Dan-o]

I'm old and fat now, but was the young guy once.

I never would have learned to catch steelhead if a guy didn't help me out.

I wouldn't have done nearly as well on deer or elk.

I wouldn't have done nearly as well on birds w/o help.

I still get help - had a guy from Hunt Wa take me on a great deer hunt this year.


So, being old and fat now, I try to give back.   Attitude of  the recipient really is everything.   An attitude of entitlement doesn't go far.

[mtman]

  Read alot about the animal you hunt. If you know what they eat Where they like to sleep. How they act during the time you will be hunting them. Then all that's left is finding them. That's the advice I am willing to give. I spend alot of my spare time in the spring shed hunting . This helps to find were elk hang during late season to some degree. It is also not as hard to see in the woods during early spring better chance of finding scrapes as well (early elk hunting).
  I used to walk randomly trough the woods with a Audubon book so I would know what all the plants were as I came across good areas with sign. Nothing can replace being in the woods.

[skywalker253]

The easiest way to figure out where to hunt, is by reading the special permit applicants. If you see 4000 hunters applied for an area, which gives out 50 tags; that is probably a pretty good area. Research to see if it is open during the general season. Try and find out how much weather plays a factor in hunter success. You can also go to the WSDFW website and pull harvest reports. I have only been on this site for a few months and I have already learned a few new areas; just by reading threads. I am interested in a few specific areas, which are new to me. I have been typing in the name of the area in the search box on this site. Start skimming through different threads reading the stories and looking at pictures. I also use YouTube. Lot's of great hunting videos. Type in "Washington elk hunting in....example Cascade Mountains or name of a GMU" and you will be suprised how long you can sit on YouTube and watch hunting videos. That seems to be the new thing for hunters interacting with social media. Film the hunt and post it online. You can get plenty of info of this site without asking questions. I have never set foot is one specific GMU and I have already put together a list of roads and landmarks, where people have posted it on here. Not like I am going to steal there spot, but it gives me an idea of the general area I should scout. Do that for a few areas and hopefully come the season you will harvest an animal. Good luck out there! 

[GEARHEAD]

Dont worry about asking. if ya ask a specific question regarding a particular gmu, you might be surprised, with a private message.  dont worry about negative responses that might present themselves. i wish i could offer more advise, but im still learning myself, there is nothing like calling a bull into you, i havnt killed one yet, but have called in three, one less than 15 yards (DONT ASK )    anyways if you want to call in a bull, im thinking you should focus on west side. hunt behind closed gates, get a mountain bike, spare tubes and a good pack board, and your on your way, and no crowds too. best of luck to you.

[dkecoleman]

Thanks Gearhead, seems to be a common response about the westside.

[grundy53]

As far as asking a question on here and getting a negative response... or 20. Don't let it bother you. Just remember that is only 20 out of 10,000 members. I bet you will get a few PM's pointing you in the right direction.