General scouting or access areas for Modern 560 and 572 GMU?

[WAnoob]

Not looking for a honey hole or anyone's special spot. I live in Bellingham and I will have a lot of time to scout this summer but I am not familiar with these GMU's and just general road access or what areas are closed would be helpful. I can't hunt archery this year so I'll be hunting modern. I can help with advice on Kodiak Island blacktail or other Alaska hunts if anyone needs some info or general guidance..

My main problem is I live so far away I want to make the most of my trips and the closest place I have family to stay with is Seattle.

Thanks, Randy

[Skyvalhunter]

Are you talking east or west side or just around the Bellingham area?

[WAnoob]

West side in GMU 560 or 572 as those seem to have the highest harvest numbers for elk.

[Mark Brenckle]

I've camped and hunted out of Cougar in the past, not very convenient to get in places early but its a good starting point until you figure out where you want to go. There are cabins to rent or park a camper with hookups.

[WAnoob]

Thanks

[Waycott15]

Pm me

[Matth]

No elk in 572, just orange vests.

[pianoman9701]

Nothing to see here. No animals. Stats are fake news. Move along please.

[WapitiTalk1]

I've hunted archery season in those parts off and on over the years but never been there during MOD season.  A few years ago, I had an Army WO buddy that wanted to hunt the MOD season while stationed here so being the nice guy I am, I set him up with a handful of spots in 560/572 that I had knowledge of.  My buddy did in fact hunt there but came back pretty disgusted with the experience.  Said it was beyond crazy the amount of camps, amount of hunters, and amount of yahoos that were there.  Maybe that's just the way it is in the WA west side units during rifle season, I don't know.         

[pianoman9701]

PM Sent.

[Browndawg]

572 is good if there is a early snow that drives the elk down to lower ground. That hasn't happened in some time however.

560 is a huge unit. Yet there is a lot of pressure. Best bet is to study maps and look for areas where you have to hike in a mile to get away from roads and orange vests. Find some fresh sign and hunt. The terrain is pretty mild and there are a lot of maintained trails to hunt off of.