Hunting Washington Forum
Washington State Hunting Forum and Northwest Resource Site
Please
login
or
register
.
1 Hour
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
Forever
Login with username, password and session length
News:
Free:
Contests & Raffles
.
Home
Help
Calendar
Advertise
Login
Register
Hunting Washington Forum
»
Big Game Hunting
»
Elk Hunting
»
Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
Advertisement
Advertise Here
« previous
next »
Print
Pages: [
1
]
2
3
...
14
Go Down
Author
Topic: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A (Read 124154 times)
JPhelps
I EAT ELK!!!
Trade Count:
(
+3
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2898
Location: Pe Ell
Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
on:
May 01, 2014, 09:34:59 AM »
It is that time of year when I start getting overwhelmed with emails, phone calls, Facebook messages, personal messages, etc....
So I thought I would post up a general location for you to ask any questions you may have regarding elk hunting. Anything from what I look for in a new spot, scouting, calling, packing, to cutting it up. Not only does the forum allow the answer to be shared with everyone, more importantly it allows others to contribute with their own experience.
Logged
Advertise Here
arrowflinger
Washington For Wildlife
Trade Count:
(
+4
)
Sourdough
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1095
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #1 on:
May 01, 2014, 09:37:25 AM »
Tagging for sure....
Logged
WapitiTalk1
Business Sponsor
Trade Count:
(
+9
)
Old Salt
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 7913
Location: Wet Side, Rainier, WA
Groups: RMEF, NRA, US Army (R)
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #2 on:
May 01, 2014, 09:53:19 AM »
Jason, do you mix in some tree standing with your fall elk attack? This will be my first year doing so (finally broke down and picked up a lightweight, fixed stand and climbing sticks) and was wondering (if you do some death from above setups), what do you look for when considering location/stand placement for wapiti? Thanks in advance. RJ
Logged
Darton Archery Maverick II
Traditions Vortek StrikeFire Smoke Pole
Weatherby VG-2 Boomstick
"Poking at a campfire with a stick is one of life's great satisfactions." Patrick F. McManus
D-Rock425
Washington For Wildlife
Trade Count:
(
+12
)
Explorer
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13262
Location: Lake stevens
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #3 on:
May 01, 2014, 10:12:43 AM »
I do a lot of stand hunting for elk on the eastside. I believe location is key. Ive found a spot that funnels elk through the area from feeding spots at night down to daytime bedding areas. It has 7 or 8 major trails leading to a wallow. So it serves as a place elk want to come to and a pench point kinda. I've called in many of the elk I've shot from that stand.
Logged
JPhelps
I EAT ELK!!!
Trade Count:
(
+3
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2898
Location: Pe Ell
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #4 on:
May 01, 2014, 11:24:01 AM »
RJ,
I don't tree stand hunt. First because I'm not patient enough and second I'm not patient enough. My hunting style has evolved into a more aggressive get in tight and call them in the last little bit.
With that said If I was to advise on setting one up I would pick either a heavily used wallow (I don't have to guess what trail they are going to use) or a heavily used transition route between feed/bed.
I would use the wallow if there was thick or tough country to hunt and the heavily used trail when I was familiar with their bedding and feeding routine. Once the elk have been disrupted I would gravitate to Wallows.
Logged
WapitiTalk1
Business Sponsor
Trade Count:
(
+9
)
Old Salt
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 7913
Location: Wet Side, Rainier, WA
Groups: RMEF, NRA, US Army (R)
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #5 on:
May 01, 2014, 11:34:56 AM »
Good copy Jason, thank you. The same for me, patience is a huge issue but.... gonna give tree standing, even some ground blind aciton, a shot this year in a spot or two in WA and ID (mostly alder choked ID). I've got a few spots similar to what you mentioned that may be potentially used for some evening sits. Hopefully, I don't leap out of the stand and bolt into the brush when I hear the first, distant bugle
. Thanks for your thoughts also on this topic DROCK.
Logged
Darton Archery Maverick II
Traditions Vortek StrikeFire Smoke Pole
Weatherby VG-2 Boomstick
"Poking at a campfire with a stick is one of life's great satisfactions." Patrick F. McManus
stromdiddily
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Scout
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 447
Location: Found in far away places
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #6 on:
May 01, 2014, 01:17:54 PM »
Tag
Logged
Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake
Genius and Insanity are neighbors, and they often share sugar.
EyeTooth
Trade Count:
(
+1
)
Hunter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 188
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #7 on:
May 01, 2014, 01:35:03 PM »
Tag Too
Logged
DIYARCHERYJUNKIE
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3106
Location: hoodcanal
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #8 on:
May 01, 2014, 01:42:37 PM »
So where did you shoot that pig of a bull?
you said to ask. This way everyone can see the location.
just joking ya!
What an offer though! I look forward to gaining knowledge as it's posted.
Logged
coop2424
Site Sponsor
Non-Hunting Topics
Trade Count:
(
+1
)
Sourdough
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1483
Location: Spirit Lake, ID
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #9 on:
May 01, 2014, 02:03:28 PM »
Tagging I need all the help I can possibly get..
Logged
steeliedrew
Trade Count:
(
+1
)
Longhunter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 663
Location: Snohomish
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #10 on:
May 01, 2014, 02:38:59 PM »
Jason,
I've been using mouth reeds for the last couple years and have gotten fairly good at it but I struggle with consistency. I had a hard time getting any sounds out of them at first because I have a high, narrow pallet. I found that the Bugling Bull diapghram that is green in color and has the black plastic dome works best for me. I was wondering if you make any mouth reeds that work well with a high and narrow pallet?
Thank you,
Drew
Logged
Every thought of my being is in regards to being a high tech predator and I relish the role.
D-Rock425
Washington For Wildlife
Trade Count:
(
+12
)
Explorer
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13262
Location: Lake stevens
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #11 on:
May 01, 2014, 02:45:08 PM »
What's your strategy for early season when bulls don't seem to be talking much? When bulls aren't be vocal I try to sneak in to areas that I've seen bull sign in the past and cold call for a couple sets. How long do you sit when cold calling? I've made the mistake of getting up and busting bulls/elk that were coming.
Logged
RB
Trade Count:
(
+1
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2979
Location: Arlington, washington
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #12 on:
May 01, 2014, 02:51:57 PM »
In high pressure areas (such as Winston, Coweeman) I have found sign in reprod and bigger open timber during modern firearm. Which has the better potential for seeing Elk in the daylight and is it worth cow calling once in a while as a guy moves through, or is it better to wait until Elk are spotted and use it to help move in?
Logged
IAFF #3728
JPhelps
I EAT ELK!!!
Trade Count:
(
+3
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2898
Location: Pe Ell
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #13 on:
May 01, 2014, 03:09:09 PM »
Drew,
High Narrow palates are tough. I offer a youth small frame that fits high in the palate. Have you tried bugling bull mini master tone top? That should give you an even better fit than the green all star.
Darrin,
When bulls don't seem to be talking I typically let my feet and eyes do the work. I try locating elk behind the glass and move in close. I have also found that in the month of September even though bulls may not be bugling on their own if I can get close enough most of the time I can force them to play the game.
I don't typically cold call. I "luke-warm" call. When I can smell them and see that they have been in the area recently I will call for an hour or so. I probably only use 6-8 calling sequences per hour. I also try and figure out where the elk are and combine that with wind direction (sometimes it's best to move on).
RB,
Are you talking about Rifle Season? If so I only call when I want them to stop or to settle them down after spooking them. Other than that I don't call during rifle season.
Logged
jackelope
Administrator
Trade Count:
(
+29
)
Legend
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 50320
Location: Duvall, WA
Groups: jackelope
Re: Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
«
Reply #14 on:
May 01, 2014, 04:01:39 PM »
Jason-
Meant to ask you this a few weeks ago and never got around to it.
We had a bull I called in last fall stop in thick timber and start raking trees. I could see the trees swaying, he came in silent and hung up. He was about 60-70 yards and we couldn't see him. This went on for 10-15 minutes and eventually he wandered off. I could cow call and he'd start raking again for a short time, then stop. Cow call again, he'd get all wadded up and tear into the tree. Eventually I stopped all together thinking maybe he'd walk out or move or something to where we could see him....nothing. I tried a wimpy sounding bugle and got nothing. Eventually the wind swirled and he busted, but he busted calmly...just kinda trotted off. Just curious what the right thing to do "could have" been in that scenario. I know I had no clue what to do and was just throwing stuff out there to no avail. It was thick brush/timber and we were outside of that on the edge of an open meadow, and there were some cows present...we could hear them calling back and forth too.
Thanks for this thread...cool idea, and sticky'd!
-Josh
Logged
" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield
My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum
Advertise Here
Print
Pages: [
1
]
2
3
...
14
Go Up
« previous
next »
Hunting Washington Forum
»
Big Game Hunting
»
Elk Hunting
»
Phelps/Hunt-Wa Elk Hunting Q&A
Advertisement
Advertise Here
Quick Links
Front Page
Donate To Forum
Advertise on H-W
Recent Posts
Articles
Forum Rules
Recent Topics
MA-10 Coho
by
WAcoueshunter
[
Today
at 02:08:31 PM]
KODIAK06 2025 trail cam and personal pics thread
by
kodiak06
[
Today
at 01:52:01 PM]
2025 Montana alternate list
by
Sakko300wsm
[
Today
at 01:27:16 PM]
Blue Mtn Foothills West Rifle Tag
by
Trooper
[
Today
at 01:18:40 PM]
GROUSE 2025...the Season is looming!
by
Dave Workman
[
Today
at 01:01:22 PM]
AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt
by
bearpaw
[
Today
at 12:02:58 PM]
50 inch SXS and Tracks?
by
jrebel
[
Today
at 11:20:33 AM]
Sockeye Numbers
by
Southpole
[
Today
at 11:12:46 AM]
3 pintails
by
metlhead
[
Today
at 11:07:43 AM]
Modified game cart... 🛒
by
Dan-o
[
Today
at 08:44:37 AM]
Velvet
by
Brute
[
Today
at 08:37:08 AM]
Calling Bears
by
hunter399
[
Today
at 06:12:44 AM]
HUNTNNW 2025 trail cam thread and photos
by
kodiak06
[
Today
at 05:43:11 AM]
Lizard Cam
by
NOCK NOCK
[
Today
at 04:48:54 AM]
Pocket Carry
by
Westside88
[
Yesterday
at 09:33:35 PM]
2025 Coyotes
by
JakeLand
[
Yesterday
at 07:15:03 PM]
Toutle Quality Bull - Rifle
by
Yeti419
[
Yesterday
at 06:11:55 PM]
AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!!
by
scottfrick
[
Yesterday
at 02:14:23 PM]
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal