Washington state Bow Hunting Advice

[wt]

Thanks for the response, its about time to start getting tuned up again, so maybe I'//incorporate some primos videos into the line up. Any particular video that demos the cow calling your talking about? WT

[hughjorgan]

Thanks for the response, its about time to start getting tuned up again, so maybe I'//incorporate some primos videos into the line up. Any particular video that demos the cow calling your talking about? WT

Your time and money would be better spent watching elknuts DVDs than it would watching a primos private ranch hunt.

[billythekidrock]

Scouting.

When everyone says scouting. Explain this to me. I know the term, but where does one start/look for? Do you guys just find a spot on the side of a road and start walking?

There's a lot to this... it could be as basic as just tromping through the woods or as complicated as getting maps, looking for areas that will hold elk, patterning elk behavior, etc.

Just "scout" some areas that have elk in the area, look for sign, and try to get an understanding for how they use the area and how you would setup to hunt them. Every situation is a little different. Scouting helps, at minimum, just to be familiar with the area so you know how to react when what you thought would happen, doesn't happen.

Good luck!

I agree. And learning sign or what to look for is just as important.  A couple of examples that I see a lot are people confusing large blacktail rubs for elk rubs and thinking spring bear turds are elk turds.

Learn the difference between ungulate rubs and other tree damage. Know the difference between buck and bull rubs.

If talking about spring bears you might want to learn the difference between deer and bear beds and feeding sign. Also learn what spring bear turds look like and how they differ from summer/fall bear piles.

[billdo5]

Have a caller about 100 yards behind you and that big bull will walk right by u then u put an arrow in his side lol

[Special T]

LOL sorry i just realized this was a Elk thread!  Still a good book tho.

[Broken Arrow]

1. get a bow and practice shooting - if your really that new, here is are a few tips: don't shoot an arrow straight in the air to see if you can watch it, and hay bails are a bad idea as a back stops.
2. Be humble when getting advice, as well when asking.
3. Don't set unrealistic expectations from drawing conclusions of watching hunting vids. Elk hunting is with a bow is Hard.
4. Get out in the woods as much as you can, learn to read elk sign and what time of year its made.
5. Have fun, if you can, make a good partner right now in this journey, if it works out, you will hunt for years.
6. last and not least, learn how to break down an elk the proper way and don't waste meat. Elk hunting is and can be really fun, until you knock one down...the depending on your circumstances, it can range from a "hurt locker" to backing up the truck......thought 90% of the time if you learn all this stuff....its a hurt locker!

[Special T]

Visit/join an archery club if there is one near you!
Find some help here
http://www.washingtonarchery.org/about-us/clubs--shops/

[dreamingbig]

1.  Get out and wear out some boot soles doing some serious scouting

2.  Join an archery club if you have the time

3.  Start saving money to hunt in Idaho and Montana!