Help with the Winston

[ckr]

Ok so what am I doing wrong?  I just spent the last 3 days scouting the Winston trying to figure out where to fill my cow tag and I never saw anything with fur.  I drove and hiked miles with no success.  I tried up the 1100 to the point it's closed for logging.  Looked all over the 500 up through state land, down on the river by the margret and all over the roads off of 505 and tower rd.

What am I missing?  Was it the weather, sunny warm days and clear big moon nights?
Or is it just me?

[madmack76]

hit the 650 that's all i can share

[kglacken]

Its just timing. They are there. You can go almost anywhere in there and get on elk. We hunted in there last weekend sun up to sun down both days and saw one doe and no elk. We kill elk in there a lot over the years. You shouldnt have a problem if you just spend your time in there. Good luck and stay optimistic 

[Soady]

Full moon every night makes for tough hunting or scouting, spin those numbers to find the right road to find elk 

[madmack76]

oops your right Soady.

[Eli346]

1900,553,541,510. That whole area has a lot of elk but there's so many cow tags given out anymore that they are on the run from archery season until mid January. If you find good sign just jump into the timber and go deep. They are there but not near the roads at all.

[ckr]

I did the 1800-1900 loop and nothing.  Getting away from the road system is hard.  I can't believe how many roads there are.  You hike 20 min in most directions and you will hit a road. 

Thanks guys for the input.  I will just keep at it on my days off until I find those furry buggers

[Soady]

Ckr,
What tag modern general, late, and what are your days off?

[ckr]

I drew a modern cow tag.  Unfortunately between work, school and the family my days are full until the season which I have off.  By the sounds of it I have been haunting the right spots.  My time will come.   

[Ziptie]

I hope it is the full moons and heat….  The unit is also new to me ; I have found what looks to be good stuff off the 1900 but still no animals….. 

Still looking for there hide outs. 

 

[Screaminreelz]

Pretty sure they've created interlocking tunnels with squirrels as their look outs 

[steelnducks]

Once everyone starts piling in there the elk will be on the move. You know the right areas just look over maps and figure out good excape routes.

[billythekidrock]

What am I missing?  Was it the weather, sunny warm days and clear big moon nights?
Or is it just me?

Could be some of the above, but I bet most of it is all the cow permits over the last few years.

[washelkhunter]

Are alot of the spur roads gated off in winston?

[Bearhide]

I was in winston couple weeks ago and almost all the gates are open, very few gates are closed.  Good luck with the cow tag. I also have a cow tag for modern. See you there and the other 2500 hunters. 

[WSU]

The elk have really learned not to stand around in clear cuts.  The ones that don't figure it out get killed with the hundreds of cow tags in there.  I have an AHE cow tag for December and plan to make a lot more of a hunt out of it than I have in years past.

[GregE]

It's been a while since I hunted Winston- sure wish I could get into my old areas but most gates were locked last I was there.

[HntnFsh]

Most gates are unlocked now. You may be able to get in there.

[Bow tech hunter]

For how many elk are in the Winston the first weekend you should be tagged out I bow hunt up there all year and end up taking a cow late season I know the Winston like back of my hands when on the 1100 take the 1102 and do the loop back on to 1100 but drive the side roads on 1102 all side roads are dead ends there in the 1102 just have to find them in the clear cuts or in the timber when driving 1102

[Mike450r]

I have hunted there years ago but not a lot.  Wife drew an antlerless tag.  I used to go in off longbell rd.  Is that still a viable option?

[Bow tech hunter]

I haven't hunted  longbell road for a long time I never stop there now if there's no snow on the ground the elk are up high still I have very good luck up high 1100 line is probly the best area I like and when there is snow on ground them elk are out moving the snow make a big difference in Winston first elk with my bow was in the snow opening day late bow cow was standing 40 yards in clear cut Iv never seen sooo many elk on opening day after it snowed I litterly counted in to the 100s on how many I seen there was more cows then bulls I seen