Winston first year hunt

[blacktaill]

This was my first year hunting the Winston unit and I went in with high expectations and well the only elk we saw where either in the back of someone's truck (4 of them ) or in a field driving in. All the searching on here and the information I could gather from other people told me that the place was full of elk  Going to start checking out new areas for next year. We did see two 4 point blacktails and 10 does.

[billythekidrock]

You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in  there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.

[duckmen1]

I have had many hard times finding elk down there but they are there. Each area is different and you just have to learn it. Good luck on finding your honey hole.

[blacktaill]

You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in  there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.

That is what I was told. This was my first year elk hunting so still lots to learn. The guys I where hunting with could not believe all the deer I was sopting

[Armadillo]

The elk are there. Was my first year hunting it also so I spent a few days simply learning the area which is decent. Most of the fresh elk sign that I saw is away from any of the main roads. Saw two cows opening day, three on Weds plus a little spiker bull today. I also had other encounters with elk that I did not even see but rather heard. Also saw two nice BT bucks, jumped one in the reprod and then jumped one in some deep nasty timber. I like the area and would like to return but would rather find a unit with more locked gates. Seeing all the road hunters was really obscene. At first light many hunters would drive right to a clear cut with headlights blaring SLAM the door and then sit about 20 ft off the road...think you blew the element of surprise with that one guys. Don't be discouraged by the cow tags being given out in the Winston if you look in the regs they give them out for nearly all the other popular units around too and they also have hoof rot problems. The problem is the easy access the elk sort of bottle themselves up in the deep dark little nooks and crannies.

[sneakyjake]

You chose a popular road hunting unit with lots of cow tags (with a high success rate).  You got exactly what you read about.  Walking 20 mins from the road does not get you away from the road. The population is decreasing and the pressure is increasing with the permits.   If you want to get away from cars, don't be next to the road at first light.  I hope that was informative. No offense, just being honest.

[Armadillo]

None taken. And you're right you have to really work to get away from people in there

[RadSav]

You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in  there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.

 

WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country.  Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.

Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state.  Not so much anymore.  Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season.  I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime 

Problem is these days...where else are you going to go?  Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years.  If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.

I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!

[HntnFsh]

You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in  there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.

 

WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country.  Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.

Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state.  Not so much anymore.  Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season.  I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime 

Problem is these days...where else are you going to go?  Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years.  If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.

I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!

Well said Radsav! I'm getting pretty worried about the way this unit is going. Actually has already gone. Pretty sad state of affairs!

[MacAttack]

My first year hunting for deer and elk. I hunted Eastern WA for Elk and my brother, his first year as well, got his W. WA permit. We hunted this unit and saw alot of fresh sign, but zero elk, or deer for that matter. Guess we have to find a new place for late mod. deer.

[Button Nubbs]

You saw more deer in there than I have in a few years of hunting that unit. There used to be tons of elk in  there but now it is the "go to direction" to send hunters. The elk are there, just not in the numbers of a few years back. Too many cow permits and hoof rot.

 

WDFW will do a count after the snow hits and they are all bunched up in there from the high country.  Then they will decide to give out another 500 or more cow tags for early seasons so we can further destroy the local low elevation herds. And they will continue to restrict bowhunters from shooting bulls in the late season forcing them to harvests cows only.

Even with all the hunting pressure this unit used to be one of the more enjoyable hunting areas in the state.  Not so much anymore.  Now we just tell stories to our nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids about the days when the Winston was to best place in the state to spend in the woods during elk season.  I doubt I will see it return in my lifetime 

Problem is these days...where else are you going to go?  Keep putting in for the draw and maybe you can do better than me and actually draw a good area within the next 18 years.  If ignoring the hoof rot situation for so many years hasn't led to the end of all elk hunting in The St Helens area by then.

I'm not usually a WDFW basher, but in the case of the Winston herd they have sure screwed it up pretty dang good!

id have to agree. i have only hunted the winston a couple times and since have found greener pastures. i have a hunch weyco plays a BIG part in the destruction of that herd, but its nothing more than suspicion...

[Ziptie]

All I can say is it was my first year in the unit and it was insane.  I never could have imagined the amount of hunters in that unit!   

[GEARHEAD]

i spent nearly 10 hours in there yesterday, and saw only one hunter... got lucky i guess.

[Duckhammer]

I read the whole string and I agree that there is a TON of road hunters in that unit and alot of COW tags.

LOOK at the HUGE positive you got from this experience.... You know where a couple 4 point bucks live!

[cryfowl]

The Winston used to be my favorite area to hunt Elk.  Always saw 3-4 herds a day and sometimes more. Were always legal bulls around every corner.  Then it was opened to cows and the gates were opened, and they gave out 100 cow permits to modern firearm hunting.........next year, very few elk and worse each year.  I don't even make the drive down there anymore.  Not saying there aren't elk, just not like the good old days, aka 6-7 yrs ago.  It Was nice being able to bike into an area and not bump shoulders with people.