Tag soup already

[Ghunt]

Went up scouting yesterday where I was hoping would be some elk and unfortunately found nothing. Not even old tracks, old droppings from the winter. Just absolutely nothing. I really wish everyone a good hunting season this year, cause I know i'm already eating tag soup.

[cbond3318]

With that attitude you surely will.

Get after it, could be elk heaven just over the ridge, or just in that next bowl over. Make it happen, I would much rather eat a tag buffet at the end of each season after working hard and getting after than just a teaspoon of tag soup made with a quitters touch.

[coachcw]

You know where not to hunt right

[elkchaser54]

Try getting out of the truck.  It helps.

[bracer40]

With that attitude you surely will.

Get after it, could be elk heaven just over the ridge, or just in that next bowl over. Make it happen, I would much rather eat a tag buffet at the end of each season after working hard and getting after than just a teaspoon of tag soup made with a quitters touch.

Agreed! As big a tool as the right weapon and the expertise to use it well is a  positive and "no quit" attitude! This might be one of the most important weapons we carry!

[jackelope]

Try getting out of the truck.  It helps.

Great assumption. Do you know this guy? I hope so. Otherwise this is a perfect example of why folks don't share stuff anymore.

[boneaddict]

People put too much creed into pre season scouting.  Elk get pushed around so much in this state its crazy.  Ever see a herd spooked, how far they will run.  Find elk country and you will no doubt find elk when the time is right. Enjoy the hunt.   

[Rainier10]

I still remember the first time I harvested an elk.  Hunted all season in what was great elk country, sign everywhere just no elk.  The last day of the season with an hour and a half of daylight left I found 3 cows and with one shot of the muzzle loader I was tagged out and working into the night packing.  Never give up. 

[ghosthunter]

On the side of our cook shack in camp is written.

"" If you only came for the meat"
" You came for the wrong reason"

OP find a hunting partner you really enjoy spending time with. It makes all the bad hunting spots more fun.
Many of our camps best years memories are of the years we failed to harvest a animal.

Like the year we got snowed out.

[jmscon]

Don't give up yet! Now you know where not to hunt! You never know, no elk today but elk tomorrow. Spend the time in the woods and you'll find elk.
Good luck!

[Don_D]

Backup plans to your backup plan!

[bracer40]

People put too much creed into pre season scouting.  Elk get pushed around so much in this state its crazy.  Ever see a herd spooked, how far they will run.  Find elk country and you will no doubt find elk when the time is right. Enjoy the hunt.

Especially true in the modern season, but applies to most seasons and areas around WA I suspect

[PastorJoel]

"" If you only came for the meat"
" You came for the wrong reason"

That's right!  You got to get the antlers too!


 

[Jonathan_S]

Went up scouting yesterday where I was hoping would be some elk and unfortunately found nothing. Not even old tracks, old droppings from the winter. Just absolutely nothing. I really wish everyone a good hunting season this year, cause I know i'm already eating tag soup.

Dude, sounds like you have a big area to cross off. That is a good thing, believe me. Look at the features (or lack thereof) and try finding an area that has different or better features. North Slope vs South, water or no, how far from roads, elevation, food sources.

Look at the GMU harvest statistics on WDFWs website. Maybe that unit only produces a few kills a year and you need to move on to somewhere elkier. every successful elk hunter has had dozens of days like the one you describe.

Also, and I will end with this. Sometimes it's a random thing. I've killed a lot of animals in areas that I would never see another animal again. I killed a 120" whitetail buck in an area that I've never seen another deer track. I killed a small bull elk a few years back in a spot so close to the road and so far from where elk usually are, you wouldn't believe it. Discouragement should be something you immunize yourself to. Time in the woods is always valuable if you have a student's heart and mind

[elkboy]

All good advice on here!  Chuck Adams used to say, "My friends tell me I'm the most persistent guy they know."  That's what you need for elk.  You can get away with a lot less patience in deer hunting, in my opinion (although there are certainly times...).  Elk will test your patience to the maximum.  Boot leather, keen eyes, patience, and the willingness to cross a lot of territory...