General Tag Assassin

[Rubenation1981]

Struck out on all the special draws so I'm relegated to an OTC general Tag, probably GMU 658. How about the rest of the Loser Lounge? Where will your elk fall this year?

[Dtray332]

Just moved to Washington last month and didn't even make it time to put in for a special tag (not that I would have got it the first year anyway). But I'm looking at areas just east of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, but still in the west side of the trail. Checking out the areas that look hardest to get into and away for roads to spike camp for a few days at a time.

[Skyvalhunter]

That's a good area. Boots on the ground

[Elkcollector82]

Just moved to Washington last month and didn't even make it time to put in for a special tag (not that I would have got it the first year anyway). But I'm looking at areas just east of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, but still in the west side of the trail. Checking out the areas that look hardest to get into and away for roads to spike camp for a few days at a time.

Theirs no elk around Mt. Rainier   

[Dtray332]

No elk around Mt. Rainier, thanks for the info. Does that mean I will have all of the woods to myself....  hahaha

[rtspring]

Same ol elk ridge like always, many a elk try to come up it and many have fallen and not made it to the top

[Elkcollector82]

No elk around Mt. Rainier, thanks for the info. Does that mean I will have all of the woods to myself....  hahaha

Just trying to help you out. Don’t want you to just randomly walk around that unit looking lost. Lol.

[Dtray332]

Going to spend July and August scouting.

[wheels]

chasing cows on ytc

[Dtray332]

ytc? Yakima Training Center?

[scoutdog346]

As ur new to the state be carful and make sure ur in an open area and know when ur on trail 2000 or any other boundaries/ border Trail. Most of the good areas in where you're talking about is special permit only so just be careful is all I'm saying good luck. The regs could be confusing the first couple years studying them.

Just moved to Washington last month and didn't even make it time to put in for a special tag (not that I would have got it the first year anyway). But I'm looking at areas just east of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, but still in the west side of the trail. Checking out the areas that look hardest to get into and away for roads to spike camp for a few days at a time.

[Dtray332]

The areas that I was looking at on onxmaps are 513, 516, 560. They are listed under general elk archery. Are these otc or am I reading it wrong?

[wheels]

chasing cows on ytc

my dad and me are  master hunters yes its open area for master hunters

[pianoman9701]

Definitely no elk in 560. Wolverines and fishers ran them out. Very sad. Welcome to WA!

[Dtray332]

I'll crack the code eventually. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

[trophyhunt]

No elk around Mt. Rainier, thanks for the info. Does that mean I will have all of the woods to myself....  hahaha

youll be surprised how many humans you see up there, but it’s a big area.

[Dtray332]

Also looking at 516. I plan to scout it in July and August.

[jwfaber1]

New to Washington as well. I've been looking at 513, 516, and 560. Anyone know which of these units would be best to avoid humans? Or is avoiding humans not a thing around here? I'm willing to pack in deep.

[W_Ellison2011]

The areas that I was looking at on onxmaps are 513, 516, 560. They are listed under general elk archery. Are these otc or am I reading it wrong?

I've been hunting 513 for 20 years... the elk herds are almost completely gone. I'm not saying that as a joke... You can find them from time to time but its pretty rare. I remember when I first started going up there we used to see multiple herds every day and now you are lucky to see any elk at all throughout a hunting season. If you drop down the backside of skate creek rd into packwood there is almost always the town herd to stare at lol!

[mikelonsford]

There are elk in all those units and they are all over in those units.  You will see elk, you will see people, doesn’t matter how far in you go or not.  The elk will move to where they feel the least pressure and move when they feel some again.  There are plenty of hunters in any season in those units.  I do like hunting western WA vs eastern WA as you have the chance at a branch bull every year.  Western WA has plenty of elk, you just have to be in the right place at the right time.  Good Luck
Mike

[bkaech]

I hear a lot of people say they are willing to go in deep to get away from people, but you can't find too many spots in western WA that there isn't a another road a mile or 2 away on the other side of the ridge. I don't think hunting the westside is about going in deep, just a few hundred yards can be "deep" if you are in thick country.

[Dtray332]

After pouring over sat imagery and topo maps, I've come to the conclusion that terrain will be the identifier of deep. Straight line distance may be a mile or two, but you may have to cross a ridge line that will keep some people out.

[bullcanyon]

Nothing better than being 5 miles in and getting a primos blue reed response to your location bugle followed up with some hootchie momma cow calls.. Lol

Plan on company so when you do run into someone you won't get discouraged. Staying out and pounding ground will be needed to punch a tag. Not sure why the elk numbers are down in these units, but they definitely are. Really sucks because these units used to be a lot of fun. Even 10 years ago you could easily have a half dozen good encounters a day.. Good luck getting that now. I run into guys that don't even see an elk. Hopefully they'll bounce back some day.

[W_Ellison2011]

Nothing better than being 5 miles in and getting a primos blue reed response to your location bugle followed up with some hootchie momma cow calls.. Lol

Plan on company so when you do run into someone you won't get discouraged. Staying out and pounding ground will be needed to punch a tag. Not sure why the elk numbers are down in these units, but they definitely are. Really sucks because these units used to be a lot of fun. Even 10 years ago you could easily have a half dozen good encounters a day.. Good luck getting that now. I run into guys that don't even see an elk. Hopefully they'll bounce back some day.

I'm not going to get into blaming certain groups... but in 513 I know there has been both a lot more people up there hunting elk and poaching. I agree 10 years ago you used to be able to head down just about any of the trails and run into elk. I've been in the unit since before I could walk with my parents and I'm 32 now. My father has been hunting 513 for 40 years. Used to go up with a big group of his buddies and the group would always pull elk out and now its like the elk vanished up there. There is 1 spot I still have hope for though. Haven't been able to get a vehicle up the road and to the trail, short trail maybe a couple miles and pretty flat on top, for at least 7-8 years and we used to see deer, bears, and elk up there every time we went up.

[Dtray332]

When backpacking in for a few days, does it matter where you park your truck? Does it have to be at a trail head?

[Miles]

Nothing better than being 5 miles in and getting a primos blue reed response to your location bugle followed up with some hootchie momma cow calls.. Lol

Plan on company so when you do run into someone you won't get discouraged. Staying out and pounding ground will be needed to punch a tag. Not sure why the elk numbers are down in these units, but they definitely are. Really sucks because these units used to be a lot of fun. Even 10 years ago you could easily have a half dozen good encounters a day.. Good luck getting that now. I run into guys that don't even see an elk. Hopefully they'll bounce back some day.

I'm not going to get into blaming certain groups... but in 513 I know there has been both a lot more people up there hunting elk and poaching. I agree 10 years ago you used to be able to head down just about any of the trails and run into elk. I've been in the unit since before I could walk with my parents and I'm 32 now. My father has been hunting 513 for 40 years. Used to go up with a big group of his buddies and the group would always pull elk out and now its like the elk vanished up there. There is 1 spot I still have hope for though. Haven't been able to get a vehicle up the road and to the trail, short trail maybe a couple miles and pretty flat on top, for at least 7-8 years and we used to see deer, bears, and elk up there every time we went up.

Wouldn’t be surprised if someone on this site figures out exactly where you are describing.  Hopefully your just playing games.  Regardless, some desperate person will figure it out and you’ll have extra company.

[ghosthunter]

No one in our party drew a cow tag. So we just are not going.
Rather spend a week grouse , bear and tote hunting than looking for a spike.

[W_Ellison2011]

Nothing better than being 5 miles in and getting a primos blue reed response to your location bugle followed up with some hootchie momma cow calls.. Lol

Plan on company so when you do run into someone you won't get discouraged. Staying out and pounding ground will be needed to punch a tag. Not sure why the elk numbers are down in these units, but they definitely are. Really sucks because these units used to be a lot of fun. Even 10 years ago you could easily have a half dozen good encounters a day.. Good luck getting that now. I run into guys that don't even see an elk. Hopefully they'll bounce back some day.

I'm not going to get into blaming certain groups... but in 513 I know there has been both a lot more people up there hunting elk and poaching. I agree 10 years ago you used to be able to head down just about any of the trails and run into elk. I've been in the unit since before I could walk with my parents and I'm 32 now. My father has been hunting 513 for 40 years. Used to go up with a big group of his buddies and the group would always pull elk out and now its like the elk vanished up there. There is 1 spot I still have hope for though. Haven't been able to get a vehicle up the road and to the trail, short trail maybe a couple miles and pretty flat on top, for at least 7-8 years and we used to see deer, bears, and elk up there every time we went up.

Wouldn’t be surprised if someone on this site figures out exactly where you are describing.  Hopefully your just playing games.  Regardless, some desperate person will figure it out and you’ll have extra company.

Theres a TON of roads with offshoots that haven't been able to be traveled up in that unit for years plus its a decent sized unit. I'm not playing games about anything I've said about the 513 unit. Hell they haven't even taken the time to fix the 47 road that goes between packwood and randle or the 63 road that slid out that you could take off the 47 to drop down into randle. My favorite thing up there anymore is all the tourists driving their little cars and getting stuck in the ruts from the creeks coming down the road while trying to find the highrock lookout hike. It's a nice hike but I've got a couple better spots for views. One of my view spots you can see Mt Rainier, Mt adams, and I believe its mt st Helens on a clear day. Ohh and lets also not forget the MULTIPLE large camps of people picking berries, salal, bear grass, fir bows. They caught a couple groups of people of Hispanic origin up there fighting over mushroom patches and poaching a TON of deer and whatever else they could find.

[Dtray332]

Soooooo, how about parking that truck? Trailhead or just anywhere? My first year up here in Washington, sounds like it is going to be interesting.

[bullcanyon]

You can park anywhere you want and bail in. Trailheads will generally get you deeper quicker but that don't mean you're going to go straight to Elk. I'm sure it sounds like we are trying to detour you but that is not the case just want you to have realistic expectations. I wish you luck and I hope you are able to enjoy an unmolested hunt.

[Dtray332]

You can park anywhere you want and bail in. Trailheads will generally get you deeper quicker but that don't mean you're going to go straight to Elk. I'm sure it sounds like we are trying to detour you but that is not the case just want you to have realistic expectations. I wish you luck and I hope you are able to enjoy an unmolested hunt.

Thanks.  I do agree that trails get you deeper quicker. I've been looking at maps and trying to figure areas with good terrain where you can take a trail in, then break off. But I'm sure that is what everyone does. Seems like you can't go a half mile off trail without hitting another trail or road. I definitely expect to run into other hunters. Moving up here last month put me behind the 8 ball on knowing where to go. So this year will be eliminating areas for next year and spending a lot of time on the ground. Looking to join an archery club to network for next year. Wife hates the thought of me going into the mountains for 3 or 4 days alone even though I have an extensive background in back country and survival. I spent 20 years in SOF doing it, now I'm looking forward to doing it without all the body armor and Kevlar helmet. But to all of you on this forum that have been entertaining my question, thanks you very much and it is really appreciated. 

[W_Ellison2011]

Best bet use google earth to find trails and then check to see if there are regular roads close by or just old skidders. If its old skidders most people won't drive down them and that's the majority of what people do. There are also quite a few of us that will hike the old skidder roads. Sometimes they go 100 yards and dead end and sometimes they go 10-15 miles. From what I have learned the animals use these old nasty skidders as travel corridors quite frequently. As stated, finding animals (especially elk), isn't always the easiest thing to do. Make sure any spot you park at you have the appropriate permit to park there, ie do you just need my vehicle use pass from buying my tags or do you need the stupid discover pass. Other than that. Just hit it hard and as often as you can. Now would be the best time to be out setting up cams and checking areas for animal activity so you can try to zero in on a good location come hunting season.

[funkster]

Best bet use google earth to find trails and then check to see if there are regular roads close by or just old skidders. If its old skidders most people won't drive down them and that's the majority of what people do. There are also quite a few of us that will hike the old skidder roads. Sometimes they go 100 yards and dead end and sometimes they go 10-15 miles. From what I have learned the animals use these old nasty skidders as travel corridors quite frequently. As stated, finding animals (especially elk), isn't always the easiest thing to do. Make sure any spot you park at you have the appropriate permit to park there, ie do you just need my vehicle use pass from buying my tags or do you need the stupid discover pass. Other than that. Just hit it hard and as often as you can. Now would be the best time to be out setting up cams and checking areas for animal activity so you can try to zero in on a good location come hunting season.

Dtray332, this is very good advice. What weapon will you be using? Do you have hunting experience?

[Dtray332]

Funkster  I plan to hunt archery for elk, then modern firearms for deer. Yes I do have hunting experience. Spent a fair amount of time hunting in Colorado and most recently in western Africa. But for the last 9 years I have been living in Florida, so the bulk of my hunting has been underwater in the form of spearfishing. I'm looking forward to getting back out in the mountains. Using the next 2 months for scouting and getting used to the altitude change.

[Dtray332]

Are there really no elk in GMU 448? I was looking at in on a topo map and google earth. Has great looking terrain. Pulled up the stats from 2016, not a single elk taken out of it.

[funkster]

Dtray332, archery for elk is a lot of fun. Nothing like calling in a rutting bull. It sounds like you’re doing the right things as far as pre prep is concerned, checking maps, satellite images, topography and checking harvest reports. On the west side, the SW region holds the majority of elk. Draw back is most of the land is owned by private timber companies and you have to purchase an access pass. Most of those passes are sold out but you could probably still get a ST.Helens tree farm pass. The other draw back is a lot of those herds have been hit hard with hoof rot and to many special permits allotted to reduced the herds. The herds are decimated and the hunting isn’t close to what it used to be. The elk are still there but are much harder to hunt. IMO, the best bet if you don’t have a private timber company access pass is 560. That unit will give you ample public land, camping and hunting opportunities. Elk are big and they leave sign where they have been, if you can find fresh sign, keep those spots marked and keep checking them for activity.

[W_Ellison2011]

Another thing you could do is look for people who have big fields as part of their property, within your unit, and stop by to see if they have issues with elk and if they will allow you to hunt it. A lot might say no but you never know you might find one that is tired of mending fences because of the elk and allow you to hunt their property just so they can possibly get 1 more out of the herd and possibly get the herd to move off for a bit. Its rough out in those areas though because most of those people are either hunters themselves, have family that hunts the land, or are tree huggers and the elk are too beautiful and majestic to kill lol.

[Dtray332]

Going to head out to do some scouting next week in 560 and 516. During hunting season, is the Gifford Pinchot National Forrest and Mount Adams Wilderness Area walk in only? Or can I expect to see ATVs zipping all over the place.

[bkaech]

Going to head out to do some scouting next week in 560 and 516. During hunting season, is the Gifford Pinchot National Forrest and Mount Adams Wilderness Area walk in only? Or can I expect to see ATVs zipping all over the place.

ATVs should only be on roads or trails open to them. Motors as well as wheeled vehicles are both prohibited in Wilderness areas.

[W_Ellison2011]

Going to head out to do some scouting next week in 560 and 516. During hunting season, is the Gifford Pinchot National Forrest and Mount Adams Wilderness Area walk in only? Or can I expect to see ATVs zipping all over the place.

ATVs should only be on roads or trails open to them. Motors as well as wheeled vehicles are both prohibited in Wilderness areas.

Read up on the ATV and dirtbike regs. A HUGE section of Gifford Pinchot National forrest they can't ride even on the roads unless the bike or ATV has been legalized for the street. IE rearview mirrors, license plate, etc. I hope you don't have a nice rig. That's why I haven't traded in my 2001 tundra. Scratched and beat but I can take her down a lot of roads that are closing in with brush or that are washed pretty bad that most guys wouldn't drive down. That can often get you a few extra miles back and then it comes to a point where you have to walk.

[Dtray332]

I will be trudging down the trail in y 2004 GMC Z71. But it does only have 120K miles on her.

[bobcat]

There are a lot of trails in the Gifford Pinchot that are open to motorcycles, but not ATV's, so just be aware of that.

[Dtray332]

Spent all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday until just before lunch scouting in 516 and 560. There are a lot of people out there. Did find some sign in some deep draws. Nothing that really made me want to come back, but will if I can't find anything better. Saw a few cows, no bulls or spikes. I'm heading to Alaska on Friday and will be back Tuesday night. Going to get back out the 2nd and 3rd week of August.