Looking for advice - New Guy

[dgriffin]

Hey All

New to the forum but have been following and reading for a bit. Appreciate the info people post and the replies.

New to big game hunting and am looking for some advice for modern rifle season. We have identified a few places to hunt (SE WA)  so not looking to jack anyone's honey hole!  The areas we are hunting are mainly gated forest roads and clear cuts. Where we have been (went same area for black tail) has TONS of sign of elk coming in and out of the cuts but when first light or last light comes around nothing is moving through there. Trekked into the woods, still nothing.  We are putting in miles and miles off the gates and getting away from people but just not seeing anything.

Looking for some advice as to what we should be looking for or where to look for these elk throughout the day. Anything to point us in the right direction would be helpful!

[Duckslayer89]

I've learned consistency is key really if there is sign just keep hitting it over and over and eventually you'll run into them. More time spent the better

[dgriffin]

Thanks for the input!

[SemperFidelis97]

Also don't be afraid to still hunt through the big timber.  Allot of guys like to wait out in big open feeding areas for deer, or elk the problem with that is once these animals start to get pushed they will spend very few daylight hours feeding in the open.  You have to be willing to go where the animals are, and not where hunters think they should be.  That is something you will hear allot from hunters who are successful on a regular basis.

[DaveMonti]

I'm not sure what corner of the state you are hunting, but I don't think you'll find any blacktail in SE Washington!

[dgriffin]

I'm not sure what corner of the state you are hunting, but I don't think you'll find any blacktail in SE Washington!

Typo!! SW Washington

[dgriffin]

Also don't be afraid to still hunt through the big timber.  Allot of guys like to wait out in big open feeding areas for deer, or elk the problem with that is once these animals start to get pushed they will spend very few daylight hours feeding in the open.  You have to be willing to go where the animals are, and not where hunters think they should be.  That is something you will hear allot from hunters who are successful on a regular basis.

Thanks!  Yeah, I have hear this a lot.  It's apparent they are there at night (as mentioned) but we will be spending time in the thick stuff trying to glass them.