When I came back to the Wet-side after 20+ years I sat down at my computer and went into past seasons harvest reports.
I looked at total harvest as a measure of units that had healthy herds, and listed the top units from high to low.
Then I looked at hunter numbers and went the opposite direction, low to high.
I found several units that made both lists, then I looked at seasons.
As an Archery hunter, I wanted a unit that was open for deer and elk, I gave extra consideration to units that were also open for antlerless, because I like to eat them.
I got on GoHunt and looked at the map to compare access and landowner boundaries, and found which ones had free access, with gated roads. (Walk in areas)
Then I contacted the WDFW biologist for the area, along with making a day trip down to drive the area to confirm my research.
After picking my unit, I used the search feature to see if I could find old threads, and asked for information on a new thread regarding unit.
Then I made several scouting trips to find camping areas and look for actual elk and deer, old sign etc., and walk a few roads in an attempt to familiarize myself with unit, and formulate a plan for season.
Spending a few weekends during the summer to learn the area also provides an opportunity to stop by the local watering hole and lose a few games of pool and buy a pitcher or two for the locals, by being polite and humble you might get access, or pointers from people that live in the area.
Pick a unit, and learn it well and come up with several different options for when the season opens and you find someone else hunting the same spots is important.
Get out and walk, you would be amazed at the number of little hiding spots between roads that other hunters just drive on by.
If you see well traveled trails that cross a road, get out and follow them.
Pack a lunch and get up where you can glass a large area and spend an early morning and/or afternoon looking for animals during early spring and summer.
The more time the better. Glass the whole area, have a sandwich or a beer, and glass it again, spend all day if possible.
The days are long, and animals are more likely to be out in the open at sometime, be there to see where.
Pay particular attention to where they come out into open, and where they go.
It might even be worthwhile to hit the thick areas you see them come/go from and go in there with a machete and clear a trail during the off season.
(Dont start trail until you get off road a little ways or other hunters will see them) Not only will this help you sneak in, but animals will even begin using these trails.
Every open unit has animals, by learning the area well and having a plan, you can actually have a decent chance.
If you don't have a plan, then you are still scouting.
Also remember that an elk will hide in an area where you cannot see them, It is widely accepted that a minimum standard for adequate security cover is vegetation capable of hiding 90%
of a standing adult elk from view at a distance of 200 feet, so those thick bushes are where they will be during the day.
