673, 672, 506, 681 (pacific county)

[Dbax129]

in that costal, sw corner of wa,  Pacific county, Do the elk there live in those areas year round, or are they coming from mount raineer or st. hellens during the winter months?
Any insight would be helpful.  Thanks!

[bobcat]

Those are not migratory elk.

The elk from the St Helen's and Mt Rainier area don't need to go that far.

[dreamunelk]

They are not migratory.  They just alter use with in there home range with the seasons.

[Dbax129]

Thank you.  I have since posting  learned this is called the Willapa Valley heard.  Is this correct?  Also, is it a general rule that elk prefer north facing slopes and benches in the winter or am I mistaken on that?

[Mudman]

 :dunno:From what I have seen you are backwards.  North in hot weather, south in cold.

[bobcat]

I believe it's referred to as the Willapa Hills herd.

[kisfish]

They are here all the time. I see them in the same spots and that changes up when they get some pressure but they tend to run the same area. Are you going to hunt bow or rifle?

[Dbax129]

Rifle.  Probably bow in a year or 2, I've never shot a bow though, and think I would prefer to try rifle first, try to learn about the animals more this year, and maybe pick up a bow eventually.
Ok,  south facing hills more in winter. I suppose that makes much more sense anyway, if they are trying to catch some rays. 

[Mudman]

Dont forget about their food.  Grows better in sun. 

[skywalker253]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

[DoubleJ]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

[deerhunter_98520]

Pacific County = Thick Ass Brush!!!!!

If youve never hunted here thats an understatement

[Dbax129]

 
that being said, should I expect to only have short range shots, or are there ways to look across from one hill to the other and take a 400+ yard shot on some unsuspecting grazing monster bull?  Do folks use tree stands for elk or is it more about covering ground? Also, there are a lot of clear cuts out there of varying size, do the elk like these areas for food?

[skywalker253]

If you hunt the thick drainages, then plan on a short shot. There are places you can shoot 150 yards in the timber. You can shoot 400 yards in a clear cut, but most the elk hold up in the jack firs or a thick drainage; once the hunting pressure hits. Most of 673 is gated up by Hancook Timber until Sept. You can take the 2200 RD off hwy 101 and it will wrap you all the way around into Raymond/Southbend. It may be open now, but the remaining roads will likely be gated. Buy a mtn bike is my suggestion.

[Dbax129]

Thanks Skywalker.  A mountain bike was actually my plan. 
What are "jack firs" and what is drainage?  I've heard the term, but I have no idea what that feature is.  I assumed it was the low point between 2 steep hills, where water funneled through going down a hill side or something.  probably wrong though
 

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

your correct on "drainage", fancy for valley while in the woods. Jack firs, reprod are terms used for newly replanted trees that you can not see more than 25yds through, if your lucky. Really dense cover

[DoubleJ]

Jack firs, reprod are terms used for newly replanted trees that you can not see more than 25yds through, if your lucky. Really dense cover

And you can guarentee that, if you're 5'9", the jack firs will be 6'4".  If you're 6'5", the jack firs will be 7'.

[Tbar]

Thanks Skywalker.  A mountain bike was actually my plan. 
What are "jack firs" and what is drainage?  I've heard the term, but I have no idea what that feature is.  I assumed it was the low point between 2 steep hills, where water funneled through going down a hill side or something.  probably wrong though
 

Dbax an honest question. Are you serious? Many questions you ask could be answered with a simple google search. Maybe go to the local sporting goods store and buy a book, check out nw sportsman mag, that will answer more questions than asking in an open forum. Also get a gazetteer and google earth. Google earth will give a deceptive view on some of the areas down there, it will look almost open and when you get there it's a jungle. Have fun and good luck it gets busy during rifle season.

[iRem]

Jack firs, reprod are terms used for newly replanted trees that you can not see more than 25yds through, if your lucky. Really dense cover

And you can guarentee that, if you're 5'9", the jack firs will be 6'4".  If you're 6'5", the jack firs will be 7'.

Isn't that the truth! I guarantee if the trees are wet, you will get soaked!

[pianoman9701]

Thanks Skywalker.  A mountain bike was actually my plan. 
What are "jack firs" and what is drainage?  I've heard the term, but I have no idea what that feature is.  I assumed it was the low point between 2 steep hills, where water funneled through going down a hill side or something.  probably wrong though
 

Dbax an honest question. Are you serious? Many questions you ask could be answered with a simple google search. Maybe go to the local sporting goods store and buy a book, check out nw sportsman mag, that will answer more questions than asking in an open forum. Also get a gazetteer and google earth. Google earth will give a deceptive view on some of the areas down there, it will look almost open and when you get there it's a jungle. Have fun and good luck it gets busy during rifle season.

Tbar, lots of people come here with questions that could be answered in a Goggle search. That's what the site is for - the civil exchange of information and ideas; opinions. I see from the number of your posts that you're not such a veteran on this site. The more you're here, the more you'll understand that many will come here first for information and then hopefully, will offer information, as well.

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

Jack firs, reprod are terms used for newly replanted trees that you can not see more than 25yds through, if your lucky. Really dense cover

And you can guarentee that, if you're 5'9", the jack firs will be 6'4".  If you're 6'5", the jack firs will be 7'.

Isn't that the truth! I guarantee if the trees are wet, you will get soaked!

sounds like we have all had the same experience with "jack prod"

[Dbax129]

Thanks for all the tips. Never heard of a gazetteer before either, but I googled it and think I'll pick up an atlas that comes with one for Washington. 
Thanks for the info about gates too.  I'm hoping that most (better yet, all) are closed during hunting season.  I would love to get out beyond that normal threshold most people have of a few miles of walking out... though not sure how far out i will have to go to get some isolation, if any is available out there.

[Tbar]

The atlas gazetteer is a good reference, especially when looking for general areas. Once you find anareato concentrate you will want to get better(topo) maps. You are on the right track when it comes to time frame,  the season is not the time to learn.

[skywalker253]

Bring a raincoat, and a hat!

[headshot5]

Look up hoof rot while you are at it.   

[bullkiller]

There's no elk there. so not worth wasting your time. haha.  actually just be prepared for a lot of closed areas. weyco is employee only.  and most of the valley is privately owned and there not as much access. as all the locals already have access locked up.  but on the other hand it's a great places and if you are willing to leave the vehicle you can have good success. 

[skywalker253]

When you get tired of the weather and need a break, bring a clam shovel. Usually Razor Clam season is open during modern firearm elk season. We hunt the mornings and evenings. During the day we try and catch the tide and go dig a few. It boosts camp moral, when you are cold, wet, and have seen nothing.

[Dbax129]

sounds fun skywalker.  I don't know that I'll be close enough to a road to get back to the beach for mid day.  my hope is to find a way to b 5-10 miles from a driveable road. I think I'll set up a little camp and plan on being out for 4-5 days.

[DoubleJ]

sounds fun skywalker.  I don't know that I'll be close enough to a road to get back to the beach for mid day.  my hope is to find a way to b 5-10 miles from a driveable road. I think I'll set up a little camp and plan on being out for 4-5 days.

That's almost impossible in those units.  There are nothing but roads in and through there

[skywalker253]

sounds fun skywalker.  I don't know that I'll be close enough to a road to get back to the beach for mid day.  my hope is to find a way to b 5-10 miles from a driveable road. I think I'll set up a little camp and plan on being out for 4-5 days.

For years you could camp anywhere in most these units. But with the locals poaching, shooting up logging equipment, and leaving their garbage; it has pissed off the tree companies to the point that they don't want anyone in there camping (depending on the property and GMU). There are plenty of state parks and camp grounds avaliable.

Sounds like you are trying to avoid people, roads, and you plan to hunt alone. I don't think it would be very safe for you to go out elk hunting alone as a green horn. If you go back in the miles you are speaking of and shoot one; you have to be able to get it out. And if you fall and bust an ankle; you have to be able to get yourself out. I strongly suggest you get together with an experienced groups of hunters. This site has a "hunt partners forum", which can help put you in contact with some people. I have met several people on here in my short tenue, who have been very helpful.

[Dbax129]

I was looking to hunt south of raymond, between there and naselle.  between hwy 6 and 4, with 101 to the west.  I know thats kind of a big area, a little vague, but I haven't started scouting yet, so that's all I know.  Somewhere out there looks like a lot of land, with some state land spread throughout.  I don't plan on going alone, just with a couple of buddies who I backcountry hike with.  We also plan on riding a mountain bike in with a kid trailer in tow (for the pack and hopefully some meat on the way out) on logging roads as far as we can.  I would like to go with some folks that are more experienced with hunting, but we are all new to it, and I don't think anybody out there wants to take us along, we'd probably hold them back too much!  (unless you're offering!)  The back country living isn't a new thing for us though.
double J, I heard most gates are closed to driving, and are walk/bike in only... looking at unit 673.

[Alan K]

If you're looking to get away from people I'd look to the rugged ground in the cascades up above the Cowlitz valley or even some places on the peninsula before heading to the coast. Actually sounds more up your alley with your backpacking experience.

Like others have mentioned the coast is very well roaded and there is no shortage of people.  One thing about elk hunting, there is always someone going in further than you.  It's nearly impossible to get away from people.  Just when you think you've gotten away from them, you bump into someone who came in from the other side of the mountain.   

Much of the timber company land is open for their employees to drive in while the public must walk in or ride in on a pedal bike like you mention planning to do.  Be prepared for them to cover nearly all of the clearcuts in the first half hour to hour, and potentially blow your hunt.  That said, they don't get out of their rig and into the timber much unless they know there is a bull in the bunch.

[DoubleJ]

I was looking to hunt south of raymond, between there and naselle.  between hwy 6 and 4, with 101 to the west.  I know thats kind of a big area, a little vague, but I haven't started scouting yet, so that's all I know.  Somewhere out there looks like a lot of land, with some state land spread throughout.  I don't plan on going alone, just with a couple of buddies who I backcountry hike with.  We also plan on riding a mountain bike in with a kid trailer in tow (for the pack and hopefully some meat on the way out) on logging roads as far as we can.  I would like to go with some folks that are more experienced with hunting, but we are all new to it, and I don't think anybody out there wants to take us along, we'd probably hold them back too much!  (unless you're offering!)  The back country living isn't a new thing for us though.
double J, I heard most gates are closed to driving, and are walk/bike in only... looking at unit 673.

Those gates are mostly open come Sept, unless there's fire danger.  I did that my first year.  Scouted a bunch in June, July, and Aug and found a few places behind locked gates, walkin in access only.  Come Sept, they were all wide open with trucks zipping in and out all day

[DoubleJ]

Really not trying to discourage you, just preparing you

[hiway_99]

Ive hunted 673 for the last 3 seasons and i dont care how far you hike your never alone.  Theres so many roads you never seam to be able to get back to far before you come to another road.  If you need a ride you only have to wait 5 minutes and another road hunter will drive by you.  Last year me and my 10 year old daughter hiked in 6 miles only to find another guy hiked in a different road.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[DoubleJ]

672 is where I hunt and it's the same way there

[Dbax129]

well darn.  That's a bummer.  I reckon I'll still go down there, but I was really hoping to not hear those gates would end up being open.  I wonder if I could figure out which gates were not going to be open by talking to some of the logging companies.  I imagine the gates to the state owned land are going to be closed.  according to dnr there is land south east of raymond and north of naselle in pretty good size chunks, and a few plots scattered between. 
I don't know if the cascades north of cowlitz would be ideal for me, because I was hoping to use the logging roads for the bike trailer at least the first half of the way.
Peninsula sounds nice, I just didn't know there were any elk outside the park up there.  After some googling, it looks like 615 and 618 might not be terrible.  Small small harvest numbers, but sounds like very few people up there, and its a little closer to me, as I'm on the kitsap peninsula.  Darn darn.  I think it rains on that side of the pen like every day.  Why can't I hunt in sequim again?  I think they are like pets there! 

[hiway_99]

The dnr land on the corner of 101 and highway 4 is open year round no gate.

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[Tbar]

The other thing that you should take into consideration when hunting industrial timberlands is employees often get to drive many of the roads. I don't know the how's or whys but very seldom have i hunted  weyerhaeuser when i haven't run into an employee. There is a plus side to them being back there too, I'm not bashing I'm glad it's not a pay to play.

[skywalker253]

GMU 673- This was the first year they locked most the gates. The majority of land off hwy 101 was previously owned by Weyco and recently sold to Hancock Timber, who locked it down. Hancock owns just about everything off hwy 101 on both sides of the hwy down into Astoria, Or. I drove it in December to see if I could find some new areas. Anything with a white gate is Hancock. I was down there last Friday. The 2200 RD is open off hwy 101, but several of the side roads have signs for the public to keep out. This past season they opened up a few more roads, which were avaliable for public access September 1, 2012. I would expect the same this year. Regardless of all the roads and hunters; if you are willing to hike steep and deep, you should be able to get into some elk. Many of those hunters are walking roads and hoping to score some elk in a clear cut. If you and your group can locate some elk in the timber and get in and push them around; I would say you have a descent chance of getting an animal. Most the hunters down there......ROAD HUNT!!! My dad is damn near 70 years old, and he pushes brush like a 23 year old. I don't think going in deeper then the next guy is the key to getting an elk. Find some nice timber and go push them around with a group of guys. That is your best chance.

[bod]

Gmu's 615 and 618 are some rough places hunted there many years, can't get anyone to go with me anymore.

[snowpack]

Gmu's 615 and 618 are some rough places hunted there many years, can't get anyone to go with me anymore.

And they actually have quite a few people on the roaded areas.  Lots of old camps that have been set up each season for years (some around 35 years that I know of).

[Dbax129]

So locating elk in the timber is the key to have less competition out there huh?  Is it a good idea to "push around" any elk I see while scouting, to see if I can get a feel for where they would go under pressure during the hunting season? Or would I just be training them how to notice me sooner?  Btw, this single thread has taught me more than any of my  reading or video watching!  Thanks for all the help so far! I may have to start a similar thread about the peninsula later! 

[skywalker253]

So locating elk in the timber is the key to have less competition out there huh?  Is it a good idea to "push around" any elk I see while scouting, to see if I can get a feel for where they would go under pressure during the hunting season? Or would I just be training them how to notice me sooner?  Btw, this single thread has taught me more than any of my  reading or video watching!  Thanks for all the help so far! I may have to start a similar thread about the peninsula later! 

Any elk that are out in the clear cuts off the main logging roads are going to get shot on opening day. There will be a ton of road hunters driving the roads looking for elk throughout the season, which drives them into the thick drainages, reprod, and or jack firs. We usually put a couple of guys out in an area where they can get a shot, and send a couple of guys in to push thru the brush. This year I was fortunate to meet a few guys to hunt with. Normally it is just my dad and I. He is 70, so we don't hunt that hard. We pushed thru the jack firs and saw a ton of elk. I ended up filling my cow tag, and one of our other guys missed a big bull on 2 seperate days. We had 6 hunters, so it makes it a little easier. In the past, we have always gone into the timber and sat down over a drainage for a few hours to see if anything is moving. I have never gotten an elk that way, but my father and his group have gotten several. If nothing is moving, we will slowly walk thru the timber towards each other or push down a ridge with guys waiting on the bottom or across from us (depending on the direction). IMO- The big bulls go find the deepest darkest drainage they can find and sit there until something pushes them out. Timber may not be you best bet. It just depends how you want to hunt and where. I would worry about finding elk first, and that will help you determine how to go about hunting them.

[deerhunter_98520]

What you need to do is get out and drive the area your going to hunt....find the pockets of timber/dog hair that looks to nasty to walk into and walk into it...thats where there going to be pushed....you wont get away from roads for very long.....get out the day or two before the opener and find fresh sign and come opening day just start tracking and follow it till you find the elk...i have found this very effective