WA Elk Populations and Premier Hunt units

[Sessler13]

Hello, I am new to the forum, but read posts often. I have been a hunter all my life but have never tapped into the world of Elk Hunting. Over the past year my elk hunting interest has really taken off. One of my favorite aspects of hunting is calling: coyotes, ducks, turkeys hence the reason archery elk hunting during the rut is my focus for 2018! The rest of my hunting buddies are not into the early archery elk seasons, but I am. I didn't put in for any tags this year, but I want to experience the elk bugling and try my hand at calling. Call me crazy, but I really want to go get myself in with some bugling bulls and just listen and watch. No plan on killing one this year.

Where would you recommend me trying my hand at calling during the rut, even if it was closed to hunting or requires tags, as I wouldn't even be planning on shooting anything. I'd like to see and hear as many elk as possible, Just for the experience. Was thinking somewhere on the east side running along the east cascades. Have heard the peaches ridge, teanaway, areas etc.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! Next year I'll be putting in for all the best tags!

[Dan-o]

PM sent.


Good luck.

[greenhead_killer]

If you're just looking for the experience, got the last week of sept first week oct in muzzy season. They will be most vocal at that time. Drive around before light and after dark to locate areas where they are staged up. Then go in and try your hand at the whole thing. It's quite a bit of fun

[Sessler13]

If you're just looking for the experience, got the last week of sept first week oct in muzzy season. They will be most vocal at that time. Drive around before light and after dark to locate areas where they are staged up. Then go in and try your hand at the whole thing. It's quite a bit of fun

Thanks! I will probably be going the last two weekends in september for sure. I expect it to be fun, so long as i can find some bulls that will play.

[scoutdog346]

if u r just into calling in Bulls go to gmu 346 u will feel like a pro.  get there about September 25th to Oct 8th and u will be able to call in some bulls. start at night time-consuming to locate them.

[HoofsandWings]

You can go to the harvest reports. That will give you a good idea of premium areas.

[HoofsandWings]

If you are not calling in season, some WDFW officers could cite you for harassing the elk.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

If you are not calling in season, some WDFW officers could cite you for harassing the elk.

You are joking right? 

[vandeman17]

Though nothing illegal about it, I personally would not go into a unit open to hunting and try to call elk. Elk can become educated and call wary to human calls. Guys wait years for the CHANCE to draw some of these tags so last thing I would want to do is to be in there possibly negatively effecting their chances. Not saying you can't go in and just listen/enjoy the sounds of fall but I would shy away from calling myself. Again, this is just my own personal opinion and to each their own.

[jackelope]

I'm with Vandeman. I'd be too concerned about screwing something up for a hunter who is actually hunting. Especially in a premier unit that a guy has waited 10-15-20 years to draw a tag for. The last thing that guy needs is a non-hunter in there blasting away on a bugle tube teaching the elk what a person sounds like.
 

Go and sit and listen and enjoy the sounds, but leave the calls at home.

[bracer40]

I'm with Vandeman. I'd be too concerned about screwing something up for a hunter who is actually hunting. Especially in a premier unit that a guy has waited 10-15-20 years to draw a tag for. The last thing that guy needs is a non-hunter in there blasting away on a bugle tube teaching the elk what a person sounds like.
 

Go and sit and listen and enjoy the sounds, but leave the calls at home.

I share this opinion as well.

When I first saw this post, I wondered about the chances one might have by heading up to Mt.Rainier NP Sunrise. I recall reading about bulls bugling up there. I've seen them earlier in the summer. Never experienced the rut there myself because I've been busy hunting my own elk.

[Falcon]

Though nothing illegal about it, I personally would not go into a unit open to hunting and try to call elk. Elk can become educated and call wary to human calls. Guys wait years for the CHANCE to draw some of these tags so last thing I would want to do is to be in there possibly negatively effecting their chances. Not saying you can't go in and just listen/enjoy the sounds of fall but I would shy away from calling myself. Again, this is just my own personal opinion and to each their own.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Yeah probably should just ask everyone to stay home if there is a special permit hunt going on.

[vandeman17]

Yeah probably should just ask everyone to stay home if there is a special permit hunt going on.

Never said stay home. Just said to be courteous but it's not required. To each their own. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

There is nothing wrong with calling for elk in September,  its how I learned as a kid with my dad and granddad, and I am sure many others as well.  Don't intentionally mess with someones hunt, that's a given.  There are lots of other hunts going on, people camping, riding bikes and ATV's, etc that can affect the permit holders hunt worse than a few bugles or cow calls.  I mean, are you going to pass on a bear because there could be a elk hunter around and you don't wanna potentially mess with his hunt? 

[vandeman17]

There is nothing wrong with calling for elk in September,  its how I learned as a kid with my dad and granddad, and I am sure many others as well.  Don't intentionally mess with someones hunt, that's a given.  There are lots of other hunts going on, people camping, riding bikes and ATV's, etc that can affect the permit holders hunt worse than a few bugles or cow calls.  I mean, are you going to pass on a bear because there could be a elk hunter around and you don't wanna potentially mess with his hunt?

All your examples don't pertain to the subject at hand and again, I am stating my own personal opinion and approach. I never once said anyone else had to follow.

[Jpmiller]

Not even close to a wild experience but last time I had my boys at northwest trek they had a thing you could sign up for to get into the park early and bugle at some bulls. Not wild elk but still sounds kind of fun.

[Elkcollector82]

You want to experience bugling and watching bulls fight over cows. Take a weekend and drive down to jewell, OR. That wildlife refuge is loaded with elk. Drive in and park at the viewing areas and just watch. Bring a camera. You will see some coastal Roosevelt elk that will make you drool all the way back home.  no worries about ruining anyone's hunt. Can't hunt around that area for miles. Drive in about hour before daylight. Crack off a bugle and listen to that valley just come unleashed. Then you will be hooked on early season elk hunting.