Never hunted elk! Help please

[Muleyman27]

So I have never hunted elk and would really love to start! Last time I even saw an elk was about 20 yrs ago when I was 8 years old.i am fairly new to big game hunting I have hunted deer for 3 years now successfull 2 out of the 3 yrs. and i have been bird hunting since i was 11. I have no idea where to even start. My biggest prob is where to go!? I live outside pasco wa on my g pa's farm bordering juniper so my deer hunting spot is out my back door just no elk! i would like to be 2-3 hrs drive to hunting spot if possible? I don't have camping gear or any of that so it would be leaving in the morning and coming home at night. I am willing to hunt any general season ( bow, modern, muzzleloader). I will be hunting by myself. I'm not looking for you to give up your fav hunting spot ( unless u want to!! ) but any tips or point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

[Rainier10]

Any of the Yakima units are within 2-3 hours of you.  I would pick one that is open for cow and spike during the early and late archery season.  Early season they will be bugling, that will help you locate areas that they are hanging out in and in the late season just look for tracks in the snow or wet ground.

Good luck out there and be aware elk hunting is super addictive.

[bobcat]

You want to drive 2 to 3 hours to get to your hunting spot and then drive home every night? 

That sounds like too much driving and not enough sleep to me. If you hunt the early archery season the weather won't be too extreme.

Sleep in the back of your truck if you have to but don't drive home every night. Bring a small cooler with pre-made sandwiches, etc.

You might try the Cowiche unit, since that's about the closest to you that has good elk numbers.

[WapitiTalk1]

Yep, you should really consider putting a bit more time into your elk hunting to maximize success...  Pick a GMU you may be interested in hunting and do some pre season scouting.  Find a few spots in said GMU that you're seeing cows in "now".  This is pretty close to where the bulls will be come September.  OK, after some harvest research (WDFW) and some BOG scouting, you've now found some elk and have a couple of spots that you can hunt.  Like Bobcat mentioned, sleeping in your truck works like a charm (particularly in the early archery season) and you don't need a ton of camping gear to do so.  If you can swing a couple of weekend hunts (leave on Friday after work, come back Sunday evening), perhaps even a 3 or 4 day hunt thrown in, you'll increase your odds dramatically by staying where ever you decide to hunt.  If you decide to hunt archery elk this year, make sure you working on understanding elk language a bit, and, how to make 3 or 4 basic calls.  If you do hunt during the archery season, and, stay where you hunt for a few nights or more, you can go out at night and locate bugle to lock in a spot(s) to hunt the next morning.  Good luck whatever you decide to do!       

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Go to the Blues, much closer.  Lots of elk and lots of areas to go hunt.  Start applying for special permits next year once you find a area you like and focus on learning the habits of the elk there.  Once you get drawn, success should come much easier.  The Lick Creek unit offers a cow/spike early archery season so you can give that a try. I think there are some late archery cow hunts as well.  Its been a few years since I hunted there so I cant remember all the seasons any more.   

[Muleyman27]

Thanks for all the tips idk if I will be able to go early season as we start to harvest potatoes and corn usually 100 hr weeks at least. That's the only thing I don't like about my job is it cuts out almost all early to mid season hunting. We r busy till first of November and then I get the rest of winter off. So any hunting before that is if I can sneak in a day here and there.  Sleeping in the truck is a good idea! Don't know why I didn't think of that   a cow or spike is a good idea I just want meat for the freezer and the experience. I want the big boy as bad as the next guy but realize I'm prob not gonna walk out there and slay big Louie my first year!

[Jonathan_S]

Think of it like this.  You have to put in years of time understanding elk before you'll be in a position to expect to harvest one.  That is unless you have no job and plenty of gas money!

Going with somebody knowledgeable would speed up this curve but again, your understanding of elk means more than being in the best spot in the world.  Also most knowledgeable and successful elk hunters are going to play their cards close to the chest because they've spent thousands of hours and dollars to their success.

Time in the woods...time in the woods...time in the woods.  Best to get experiences and think, "what the heck happened there?"  or "why did this happen?"  Then come on here and ask these specific questions.

As far as areas closest to you...not Hanford  go to the Blues or the East Cascades and don't be afraid to burn through some expensive boots.

[Ridgeratt]

Think of it like this.  You have to put in years of time understanding elk before you'll be in a position to expect to harvest one.  That is unless you have no job and plenty of gas money!

I think you left out this scenario!!  Never hunted them before drives into the woods get's out slams truck door. Wanders off couple of 100 yards , plunks down on a log 30 minutes later has a elk on the lawn. Now the question is "What do I do with this"   

Then they will say there is nothing to Elk hunting.

[Jonathan_S]

Think of it like this.  You have to put in years of time understanding elk before you'll be in a position to expect to harvest one.  That is unless you have no job and plenty of gas money!

I think you left out this scenario!!  Never hunted them before drives into the woods get's out slams truck door. Wanders off couple of 100 yards , plunks down on a log 30 minutes later has a elk on the lawn. Now the question is "What do I do with this"   

Then they will say there is nothing to Elk hunting.

I have met people who have done this.  Usually it is the only elk they have ever killed in 20+ years 

[msg]

Had a guy show up at our camp two years in a row, years ago at St.Helens. Did not know north from south, dressed like Ranger Ricky. He was left both years in the same spot before daylight on opening morning and was told to stay there. Did not want him to get lost. Two five pt. bulls. Go figure that one out. You can't kill em if your not out there

[Curly]

a cow or spike is a good idea I just want meat for the freezer and the experience.

Sounds like a spike is the only thing you'll be able to hunt for since it sounds like you will only have time to elk hunt during rifle season and you need to draw a special permit to hunt the big bulls.

[coachcw]

Buy a couple bottles of breeze squeeze and use it all day. Hunt daylight to dark in the nasty is places that you dare go.... never sleep in and never leave the woods till you can't see. And the last day of the season plan on being out all day. So many guys throw the last day away. One thing that really helps as well is look as far away as you can see the pan back towards you. Gotta see elk first.

[Muleyman27]

So I've been asking around and i think I'm going to try hunting in cowiche for modern. Does anyone know of any walk in only areas? I like to get out where I dont run into roads or trucks full of people after I just walked a couple of miles. I found oak creek area but when I look at it on the gmu map it looks like its not in cowiche unit? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated thanks.

[BNAElkhntr]

Think of it like this.  You have to put in years of time understanding elk before you'll be in a position to expect to harvest one.  That is unless you have no job and plenty of gas money!

I think you left out this scenario!!  Never hunted them before drives into the woods get's out slams truck door. Wanders off couple of 100 yards , plunks down on a log 30 minutes later has a elk on the lawn. Now the question is "What do I do with this"   

Then they will say there is nothing to Elk hunting.

Hey That's The Pat McManus Time Tested Way to get Elk   Don't Let that get out 

[elk247]

Honestly, without having time to scout due to work. And due to the fact that you will be after post rut elk, after they have been pressured by two prior general seasons, and countless special permits, my best advice would be to study this forum. You can't compare the knowledge in one 'new guy' thread, to  a hundered past threads.  Use the search function to pull up old threads on the unit/ units you will hunt. Learn how weather and hunting pressure effect elk behavior. Learn the mirgriation route to the refuge. Learn the thermals of your area throughout the day. Pay attention to other hunters and use them to your advantage to push elk your way. Don't hunt alone. Elk are hard work to pack and modern hunters have been known to "steal" others hunters game. Learn the escape routes, feeding and beding areas. Elk need water and food. Know where the old burns are in your unit and the ones to the west. Study maps, google earth, know where fs roads and private property are. Know if there are active burns, and how they effect behavior and cover scent.  If we have a mild winter be prepared to go higher in elevation including changeing units to locate elk. Dont let the rain stop you from hunting. It makes the woods quiet. Know when to find shelter if a  lightening or snow storm catch you off gaurd.  KNOW the rez boundaries. Most of all, have fun and hunt hard. You will never have a chance to have a 'do over' for a missed season. Good luck.