Title says it – I have a thousand questions! Been bowhunting my whole life, picked up a rifle a few years ago and I do that now too. Just arrived from CO and am trying to figure out what you do out here. The public/private seems a little more confusing (and there's also timber land, some of which you can pay a small fee to go on maybe?), I just got a GPS and will have onx maps for it shortly.
Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to harvest plenty of deer and other critters each year and haven't had to buy beef/pork in years – and I don't really want to buy any next year, either. Went looking for elk around Packwood yesterday, and I've got a decent idea of where to go this weekend, but would love someone to bounce questions off of. Even more, I'd love to head out with someone who knows where the elk are (or bear/cougar, I'll shoot whatever I see first). I've got butcher-shop quality grinder/mixer/stuffer/sealer and would be more than willing to help you process your elk in return (we can process one in a few hours). I can also fletch arrows, call ducks and do lots of other helpful stuff.
Anybody willing to answer some questions (on here or over some bourbon and a cigar), or even head out with me this weekend? I'll shoot an elk, bear, cougar – whatever's legal – just need to get some meat in the freezer! I'll also be heading out for deer when that opens up. I don't mind walking in a couple miles (grew up hunting CO mountains), but I would never pass up a legal animal next to the trailhead, either. Spot and stalk hunting is fun, and I like still hunting too. Got an iron-sighted 45-70. And a .22 for grouse.
Thanks!