New to it all... best luck for westside elk

[bowtech721]

Hey guys I just found this site today and it looks pretty cool... this was my first year archery elk hunting and really the first year of elk hunting very much at all. I have a few people i hunt with but no real experts... i was just wondering what would be your guys suggestion for what unit to start out on next year... i would  be ecstatic to even harvest a cow with my bow or at least get into some elk... anything helps, Thanks

[509er]

 

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Welcome. Basically pick a unit that has alot of elk and get real familiar with it. You will get your elk.

If you want to know where there are alot of elk then call a game biologist and pick their brain. Try looking back at some of the older posts on here and you can probably gleen enough info to figure out which units you want to put yourself in.

[bowtech721]

So you think that with the right scouting, success rates are pretty good if your willing to shoot a cow??? I basically went out blindly into 520 and got into some and now im hooked... next year should be good without football taking away all the good hunting time...

[funkster]

Welcome to the wonderful world of archery! It takes a lot of  hard work, putting in a lot of time scouting and getting to no "your spot" like the back of your hand. I would suggest trying this link http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/harvest/index.htm and narrow it down from there. Then I would suggest getting your hands on some good maps then study those until you know every draw,saddle,road..etc. Then I would frequent those spots throughout the year to see what is changing and how the animals react to different conditions. Doing your homework and putting in the time in the field will lead to success. Hope this helps!

[bobcat]

If you're already somewhat familiar with 520 then you might want to just stick with that. That's the unit it seems most archery hunters go, so it must be good! There are other good units, just look at the harvest reports and see which ones have the highest number of hunters. Those are the best units. Really. Just hunt where the people are and you will find the elk. That's what I've discovered through the years. It sucks but that's the way it is. It just means you have to plan on hiking away from roads to get away from other hunters.

[Bunkster]

I have harvested 5 elk over east.  Tried last year over here in gmu520.  I know where there are elk, and got into them.  Blew a shot.  But way to many hunters. Going back east.  The elk were so scared of bugles and cow calls it was unreal.  I sat on the hillside and listened to bugles and cow calls for hours.  STUPID......I can tell ya where I hunted. Cause nobody else would hunt it, nasty.  but that is where they are.  Wind is bad, shot is damn near impossible and it is a park and walk with 50 other guys behind the nearest gate.  Well, a certain gate in a deep nasty canyon.  First and last for me.  Good luck.  Gmu 520 has lots of elk, and twice the hunters.  Go higher, you better have horses.

[Bigshooter]

I would stick with winston creek.  It isn't that hard to get away from the people during the week.  As far as weekends go I would stay away.  Or you will have to go into some really thick brush to get away from the people.

[WAPITIHUNTER]

So you think that with the right scouting, success rates are pretty good if your willing to shoot a cow??? I basically went out blindly into 520 and got into some and now im hooked... next year should be good without football taking away all the good hunting time...

If you are letting football keep you from elk hunting than I guess you really are not as hooked as you think you are. I always kill my elk because I hunt every chance that I can. If that means I can only hunt the weekends then screw football or any other sport, I am in the woods poking holes in elk with sharp pointy objects.

Take a look at the memories thread on the elk forum and you will see a few elk I took from the 520. You are hunting in the right unit.

I have only hunted it in the early a couple times so all my experience revolves around the late hunt. It is Good! There are plenty of opportunities there, but I will keep my spot to myself for now. Like Bunkster said it is quite ridiculous in the early that is why I quit hunting it then.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

What sucks is that the late hunt in winston will be cow only... Don't understand that one...

Great unit with tons of elk.

[bowtech721]

I hear lots of hype about the margaret unit.... I know its draw only  but is it really that good??? Also does anyone know of any good guides for westside elk? I would love to hunt with someone who really knows what theyre doing so that I can learn as much as possible...

[Bigshooter]

I hear lots of hype about the margaret unit.... I know its draw only  but is it really that good??? Also does anyone know of any good guides for westside elk? I would love to hunt with someone who really knows what theyre doing so that I can learn as much as possible...

The margaret has a ton of elk in it but the chances of killing a bull over 300 are low.  Top end bulls will top out at 270 -280.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

 I am coming back to the wet-side this season after hunting Manastash for 20 years. I already know where I am planning on hunting but was wondering what special permits to apply for. Are there any units that would give me a chance at a 300+ bull? I got drawn last year but was unable to connect with the 7x8 I chased for two weeks (damn cows!) so I have no points, but you never know....I really dont care if I get drawn because if I get back up to 6 or 7 pts I am going back east but I figure you cannot win if you dont play and why waste the chance on "ghost points"

[Basket Rack]

What sucks is that the late hunt in winston will be cow only... Don't understand that one...

I agree with you there, that makes no sense to me.  Do the bowhunters really take that many bulls in the late season?? 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

In 2007 the archers took 74 bulls. That could be some in the early season, but in 2007 it was closed for fire danger early so i read that as most killed in the late season.
74 archery bulls was more than any other region 5 harvest.