Gmu560 looking where not too go

[RadSav]

What's wrong with havin some beers at elk camp? 

When camp has been there two days, there are 400 empties scattered about and underwear hanging from a clothes line...I find it a bit excessive!  Those are guys I don't want to be anywhere close to.  But hey, I'm an anti-social, fun sucker who likes to fill my tags.  So 

[bench beast]

 

At one point in time 560 was the place to be if you wanted to kill a BIG westside bull.  There are still some in there.  They just don't come as easy as they used to.  After you have done some scouting give me a call and we can compare notes.  Sounds like maybe a good reason to go to Hometown Burger or something of the sort.

You did say you moved down this way, didn't you?

Great  hunting  throughout  the  unit scout  hard and  hunt harder and  you're  going  to  find elk.

[jeffitz]

So many elk in the Lewis unit its hard to even suggest a spot, you could try Goat Marsh,Blue Lake,Grass Lake,Cinnamon Peak,Lahar,June Lake,Pine Creek,Smith Creek,Bean Creek,Elk Pass,etc,etc.

[bowtechian]

My original intent is avoiding the bafoonery of the masses 

[grundy53]

Good luck with that anywhere in western Washington where there is any concentration of elk. I would suggest using the other hunters to your advantage.

[bowtechian]

Plan on it

[kentrek]

Use the search bar an if the general creeks or mtns that you think have potential don't show any results from other members then I'd go check it out...it's the most awesome thing

[Chesapeake]

There is no free lunch in 560. It does calm down a little mid to late week, and even the last few days if they are after a weekend.
I've found nowhere to be alone opening weekend. Seems there is always a few hard chargers everywhere.
560 seems more about out flanking hunters than actually hunting elk. Makes scouting hard though. You need to learn what the elk do under pressure and that takes seasons of experience.

[bobcat]

Maybe a bunch of people will switch from archery to muzzleloader since 560 is now open for early muzzleloader season. You might have it all to yourself!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

What's wrong with havin some beers at elk camp? 

When camp has been there two days, there are 400 empties scattered about and underwear hanging from a clothes line...I find it a bit excessive!  Those are guys I don't want to be anywhere close to.  But hey, I'm an anti-social, fun sucker who likes to fill my tags.  So 

Pain-pill smoking idiots arguing over marijuana is why I now hunt on my own, my family is more important than my hunting "buddies" from high school.
They only went to "hunting" camp to party and take naps, I do not mind a responsible person having a few "pops" around the campfire, but when it gets excessive (what he said) I get the hell away from them.

[jeffitz]

Sticknstring i see you are from Chehalis,congrats to the girls from WF West high on winning the 2A state softball championship ! My daughter‘s team (Woodland) got 4th at state but before that they played WF for the district title at Fort Borst Park and lost 10-0. WF is probably the best high school team I've ever seen,very impressive

[jeffitz]

Btw Bowtech, if you camp near Cougar dont be afraid to go across the lake into the Siouxon,I know guys that consistently take bulls in archery season over there.Ole creek,Tenmile Creek,Cooney Point,Alder flats along the lake,you will see other hunters but lots of elk too! One year my dad and I were hunting along the lake in the alders on opening day rifle elk and there were so many hunters we decided to leave,then,on the way out killed a 4pt bull that was standing just off the road in the alders.That was 1990 when you could still drive the IP road,jus sayin

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Sticknstring i see you are from Chehalis,congrats to the girls from WF West high on winning the 2A state softball championship ! My daughter‘s team (Woodland) got 4th at state but before that they played WF for the district title at Fort Borst Park and lost 10-0. WF is probably the best high school team I've ever seen,very impressive

My kids are not in High School yet, oldest is 12.
We did transfer them from Adna to Chehalis though, lots of good programs in the school.
I am working on getting a NASP program started next year.
But back to the subject...

I would plan on using the masses as drivers, find a main trail and let the hunters push the animals to you.
As you scout, look for areas that will funnel animals towards you, timber between openings, saddles on ridges, steep drainages..

[bowtechian]

I have a friends property to camp on above cougar on dog creek has a hot shower & covered area to eat & cook. The draw is more the area I don't dwell on stats & numbers that much

Well, that sounds like a good deal.  Hopefully Margaret will send a few more folks north as will a few more people accepting the fees to hunt Weyco.  Good elk hunters are going to get their elk no matter the pressures.  A smart hunter in good shape can even make that work in their favor!  Should be a good time with a possibility of a real outstanding bull.  Let me know when you are coming down to scout so we can hook up for some chow.

I'll be down in cougar area this weekend if you have room in your schedule let's meet up for chow

[RadSav]

That's like five days away!  I can't ever plan that far in advance   Sending a PM with phone number.