Advice for Umtanum muzzy elk hunt??

[BigCutty3]

I am not a real experienced elk hunter, have killed one and been on a few other kills with others.  Drew a cow tag for this area and have never hunted it; liked the looks of the country while driving through (flame on, i know, but figure it never hurts to ask). 
Ive done enough research to know this is not going to be an easy hunt based on harvest stats.  Looking more for a strategy about how you would hunt.  Hike and glass, treestand in travel funnels, wait on a likely hogback, etc.?  Does the area blow up with pressure on the opener?  I Live on the wetside and with work, kids, etc. dont have the time I used too.  I have scouted a bit but will spend more time learning the access and roads, etc.  Is it a waste of time locating animals now, will they be in different areas come October 5?  Any advice or thoughts good or bad welcomed.

[270Shooter]

Never hunted muzzy season but there are a lot of elk. The harvest stats are low because most them stick to the steep and thick stuff during that time. I would find a good trail in the dark timber and wait. Or find an area where elk funnel through when pressured. Shouldn't be too tough to kill a cow.

[jason stevens]

Tough boots, strong truck and a lot of glassing look and move til you find them. Its rough in that unit but it holds a lot of elk. Try and get over before season typically if you find a few elk they'll be close to the area (depending on pressure) if there's a lot of hunters find the steepest darkest thickest canyon and get in there good luck.

[WSU]

The key for me has been to find where the elk end up after they are pressured.  They get plenty of pressure and move out of the areas near the roads.

[kirkl]

I think you'll be fine. There's no general season archery elk hunt in there and it barely gets archery hunted for deer so there's not much pressure before your season starts. Two years ago the day before ML season started I was going to check a trail cam and came along a nice 6pt and couple spikes and cows right by the road. They just walked away. Get up on a ridge and listen for bugles then go after the cows.

[BigCutty3]

Thanks much for the advice guys some good nuggets there.  Im going to need to ratchet up on the conditioning to get this soft coastie body into shape and ready to pack meat!

[James E]

Big Cutty,

PM Bear Hunter, he knows this area well. He will point you in the right direction.

[CedarPants]

PM sent

[tjthebest]

They are logging in the umtanum right now... literally right where my elk camp is...

[PlateauNDN]

I was just gonna recommend you Cedar and J.  

[CedarPants]

I was just gonna recommend you Cedar and J.

I was gonna recommend you 

Great minds think alike