What Should I Do For 2015 Elk

[johns8168]

Hey guys, great forum, pretty new to it but I have done some posting on the bear forum with great feedback from other members (thanks!).

Cutting to the chase, I am relatively new to WA state, moved from CO (2015 will be my 3rd Seaon). As I do my best to navigate the WA hunting opportunities I am left with what is my best plan for both 2015 and beyond. I hunt with all weapons and of course apply for all the draw tags every year. Work and family keeps me very busy throughout the year (I am sure many can relate), I have bounced around hunting with some friends both on west and east side, have run into animals but haven't connected yet since I started hunting in WA. I think my plan forward would be to narrow down my hunt areas to a certain areas so I can begin to learn everything I can about the animals there. I have been toying with the idea of hiring a guide for Roosevelts this fall, probably with a muzzleloader to gain some knowledge and perhaps some new locations, I know I can speed up my education by learning from the local guides.

Anyone have any thoughts on how to get my WA hunting career moving in the right direction? Ideally I would like to find areas I can get to know well and hunt each year, I have no issues with getting away from people when hunting, happy to put some miles on the boots. More or less curious to know how others are focusing their hunting efforts.

[jae]

West side numbers are way down. There are still Elk but not near as many and the SW has a lot of hoof rot. Look at 2013 and 2014 harvest stats when they come out. Find remote areas in units that you think look promising and use Google earth. Buy a map,Take a drive look for access and tracks. If You have the finances go to Colorado if You know any Elk areas, (I love that State) and can not wait to draw again.
Good luck,
John

[Bucks2Ducks]

Sorry to hear an elk hunter had to move from Colorado to Washington . Roosevelt's can be a blast, and you can generally shoot branch bulls. But it seems to be getting tougher each season with hoof root, and private timber companies selling permits leading to the further over-crowding of state land. Maybe wolfs will be next. I personally would be going out of state before getting a guide, but if its the knowledge your after I have heard of a few, but don't have any personal experience with them. If you do decide to do muzzy there should be some new units opening this next season, you can check harvest statistics on-line @ wdfw, and put that guide money into the gas tank. Good luck in 2015!

[jae]

Sorry to hear an elk hunter had to move from Colorado to Washington . Roosevelt's can be a blast, and you can generally shoot branch bulls. But it seems to be getting tougher each season with hoof root, and private timber companies selling permits leading to the further over-crowding of state land. Maybe wolfs will be next. I personally would be going out of state before getting a guide, but if its the knowledge your after I have heard of a few, but don't have any personal experience with them. If you do decide to do muzzy there should be some new units opening this next season, you can check harvest statistics on-line @ wdfw, and put that guide money into the gas tank. Good luck in 2015!

You are spot on.

[johns8168]

Thanks guys appreciate the info, yep its sure tough coming from the elk capital of the world to WA and I can always head back and hunt elk there, just looking to find a local area to hunt for the years when heading to CO isn't an option. You mentioned that new muzzleloader units may be available this year, I will poke around on WDFW and check into those but do you know if they will be the west side?

[bobcat]

We don't yet know which GMU's will be added to the early muzzleloader season, but word is they're adding 24 units. So I'd expect at least some of those will be on this side of the state.

[JimmyHoffa]

We don't yet know which GMU's will be added to the early muzzleloader season, but word is they're adding 24 units. So I'd expect at least some of those will be on this side of the state.

I figure the hoof rot units would probably be part of the new 24.    assuming they all don't have one now.

[BABackcountryBwhntr]

decide what weapon you want to elk hunt with and then pick a unit and start scouting.. I will not deny numbers are down.. but... if you hunt hard and know/find good areas... you can still have good times.. we killed 2 bulls for 3 tags during archery and I missed a big 5x5 and had 4 other chances... we  went 2/3 modern and again a miss was the only reason all tags were not punched.... I am no pro by any means... but there are still plenty of elk to be found.