Powder or archery for elk meat hunt... northeast area of the state

[zblank]

I've archery hunted elk the last five years with little success on the east side of the state. I cover a ton of ground and hunt hard but without any elk vocalizations in early September the east side its pretty tough. I'm thinking about changing to powder for the early season in the 113 and 117 GMU. Early October for one week seems better than early September for two weeks. I'm a meat hunter... so success to me is any elk down. I was hoping to get the perspective of hunters better than me. . Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

[raydog]

And don't know anything about the east side but I do know that muzzys have a slightly better success rate than archery across the whole state.

[buglebrush]

If you are strictly meat hunting archery is better if you utilize the late season

[packerfan66]

Hunted 113 for 4 of the last 5 years early muzzle.  Yet to see an elk taken out up there but have seen a few pictures.  Much scouting is needed as the elk are few and far between.  See more moose and bear than anything.  Deer numbers have been thin in that area as well

[D-Rock425]

If you want meat to to Safeway cheaper in the long run.

[4fletch]

I have hunted archery both sides early and late for the last 40 yrs, have been sucsessful in elk hunting early and late hunt , I do better in the early hunt , the late hunt is just as good except for the extreme cold, which my old bones don t like.  cow call em in ,  same with the late hunt , best advice is get away from all the other hunters and   learn how to call use scent blocker and lots of elk piss . and don t let the hot weather get you down , keep plugging

[coachcw]

learn your area well , play the wind always , have a plan a, b, c, d etc. if you hunt smart and are proficient with a bow you can be more successful .

[zblank]

Hey guys... thanks for the information. I really appreciate your thoughts.

The first year that I elk hunted I was able to shoot a cow and fell in love with elk but since Ive been dry for the last 3 years. I see elk every year but they seem to be 70 yards and or in brush that you might be able shoot a bullet through but not an arrow. I also spend a lot of time in the woods during early September and have only heard a handful of bugles or cow calls. I typically get pretty deep into the forest before and during the season and far away from main roads but it seems tough to locate elk and get close during the dry loud early September.

What I was really asking is the trade off between the ability to find and shoot a cow in early September  without elk being vocal (if thats your experience) versus Bulls in early October when I've heard that their a little more vocal and maybe easier to find. I love the idea of archery but I love elk meat more. What are your thoughts? Thanks again guys.

[trophyhunt]

If I was a meat hunter, I'd put in for rifle cow permits?  And I'd shoot her in the head to get maximum meat out of the animal. Lot's of cow permits out there for rifle.

[yajsab]

With the area that you mentioned, I think you'll do much better with muzzle according to the reg. 

[buglebrush]

I think the biggest question is whether or not you are into hunting the late season.  If you put in the time late that is the tie breaker in my opinion.  Most people like the idea of the late season, but don't actually utilize it.  It can be the best time to kill a cow where open ( gmu 124 ).  Depends on the year too.  Some years I get into a lot in the beginning of September and some years it doesn't seem to start until the middle/end.  Good Luck.

[Jonathan_S]

If you want meat to to Safeway cheaper in the long run.

  and I wouldn't go to the NE corner if I considered myself meat hunting 

[carlyoungs]

If I was a meat hunter, I'd put in for rifle cow permits?  And I'd shoot her in the head to get maximum meat out of the animal. Lot's of cow permits out there for rifle.

It's funny you say that. It sounds real easy. I drew a cow permit last year (rifle) and hunted my butt off and didnt even see a single elk. Every person I talked to had the same results as me. If your seeing elk your doing fine. Like others said take advantage of the late season.

[trophyhunt]

If I was a meat hunter, I'd put in for rifle cow permits?  And I'd shoot her in the head to get maximum meat out of the animal. Lot's of cow permits out there for rifle.

It's funny you say that. It sounds real easy. I drew a cow permit last year (rifle) and hunted my butt off and didnt even see a single elk. Every person I talked to had the same results as me. If your seeing elk your doing fine. Like others said take advantage of the late season.

we did get lucky I suppose, we saw elk everyday and my dad missed two cows before we finally got one on the 4th day.  Few guys on here are more than willing to help,  but I know it's not easy.  I have a buddy that didn't see an elk in the natches unit till the last day. 

[huntnnw]

If you are strictly meat hunting archery is better if you utilize the late season

NOT in NE WA...goodluck..they rarely respond to calls. You have to rely on either tracking or glassing, but spotting elk in this part of the country is not a good tactic as its so thick. Trying to track elk in the snow is tough, chances are the snow will be crunchy. Its one of the toughest hunts in this state to kill an elk in Late Nov in NE WA with a bow.

[huntnnw]

the muzzy season here in NE WA is hands down the best elk hunt here. The elk are rutting hard and the temps are cooler. The muzzy gives you a longer range, plus with todays bullets you dont need that perfect shot as you do with a bow. I have hunted both, and the muzzy is a far better hunt.

[zblank]

Thanks very much for the information guys... I really appreciate it. I think that I'm leaning towards the muzzie season at least this year as the dates align better with the rut. I'm hoping to get drawn for the multi season tag and not have to worry about it.

[Broken Arrow]

Don't need a perfect shot?

[huntnnw]

having a small limb in the way with a bow is not going to work, qtr at you for many doesnt work, head on doesnt work for most and 80-100 yards away is for most with a bow. All the above mentioned with a smoke pole is a dead elk