$30 worth of raffle tickets.....

[mritech1]

 My many years long overdue introduction.

 I have been on here for some time, I dont post much as I purely enjoy reading of others great hunts, its just that simple. It helps get me pumped up each season to make the extra effort when I am in the field. Other than a few hunting websites I shy away from social media and posting much, I struggle with sharing my personal life to the interweb so much so I literally have never been on facebook. I am about to branch out right now and I hope it is a good choice. I dont work out all year in preperation for hunting however I do try to stay fit, I dont shoot my bow every weekend year round but still pull it out a few months before the season and practice. I am a father, a husband to a super understanding and supportive wife and I am a full time hourly guy that picks up OT shifts to buy the latest gear. I do love hunting to the extent that my vacatiuon calendar revolves around fall however,  And......... I bought 5 tickets for the Washington state raffle.
 
 Now to why I am actually writing here today,

 The other day I was reading of a members good fortune, You may have seen a post that was titled "pinch me I'm Dreaming" in the deer section, After reading that post, or actually in the middle of it, I thought wow, I didnt know the raffle results where out. I better see if one of my five tickets was the one. I opened a new tab and went to the WDFW website. I couldn't find the raffle ticket results page so I called up to Olympia. The gentleman answered and he said yes tell me your ticket numbers and I will tell you if you won. I said, no thank you, half the fun is looking it up for myself. He gladly walked me to the page I needed and we hung up. I typed in my raffle numbers and low and behold a "you have been selected" memo popped up. I saw the results. At first I thought wow, that would be super cool but really? Could it be true? I called back to WDFW as I didn't want to tell anyone what I thought I had drawn unless it was in fact the case. When I called back I said, Hello this so and so....He said you mean so and so and so? I said ya thats me, He said hey, "you are the western elk raffle winner!!!!

 I cant tell you what a rush those words brought to me. I will tell you my head is spinning since that call. I have hunted the same Washington unit for elk most of my life (SW Wa). I have been told by many to look to the north, White River, Nooksack etc. What should a guy do int his case? I am looking for advise. There are nice bulls in many units in this state. I initially was not going to write about this tag as it is not my style to go public however I have seen some really great advise offered here. I figure I may not have another chance like this in my lifetime so I am throwing it out there. What would you do in my shoes? I am capable of setting foot almost anyware physically, I have been archery hunting for the last 8 years in Wa but I am ready to use my 300 win mag in a moment. I have about 3 weeks to ge this done and want to do this without hiring a guide, that is just not my style. Hiring pack mules is another story. My goal is a 6 point bull over 300 inches (seem reasonable?). Any valuable insight would be much appriciatted.

Thanks all in advance

[Elkcollector82]

Congrats on the win. That’s awesome. 

[Mfowl]

Congrats! That is awesome! I wish I had advice for you on the westside but I am an eastside elk hunter. I am sure you will get some great advice here. Hope you share your results with us! Congrats again!

[cem3434]

It sounds like you're on the right path. Both the Nook and WR can or will produce 300" 6 points. It's really comes down to where you want to hunt and what kind of hunting you prefer. Congrats on the stroke of luck and enjoy your time finding the perfect raffle bull for you.

[wheels]

congrats

[elkrack]

Great write up! There are a handful of guys on here that know the White River like the back of their hand I hope they help ya out. As for reaching out on here just enjoy the positive feedback and forget the neigh sayers (there are always a few). Enjoy every minute of that hunt!

[trophyhunt]

Congrats, I guess your keeping your tag than???      I drew 4th in that catagory. If I’m around I’d love to take you up to a couple areas in the white, you should be done quick w this tag.  I don’t know anything about the nooksack but I’ve heard it holds some very good bulls. 

[h20hunter]

Pretty cool man. Good luck out there and i hope you have a safe and successful hunt.

[elkrack]

trophyhunt knows a thing or two about the WR! I would take him up on the offer. 

[mritech1]

 Thanks for the congrats. Yes I thought it over and decided to go ahead and keep the tag.  As far as WR, I see a couple of permits that may need to be bought. Kapowsin and Hancock. A couple of things that make me stop and think. 1. I would need to buy a permit for every person that is in the rig with me (that is if someone is with me) 2. Do they sell out? Maybe I need to buck up and buy both of them now? All new to that area so just throwing things out that come to mind. Thanks again.

[bkaech]

I found a DANDY of a shed in the White River this spring. That would be a great bull to take this fall if you can find it on land that is open.

If it was me I would focus all my attention on the Noocksack. But I have more experience with that land than the White River.

[trophyhunt]

I personally wouldn’t buy any of those Hancock passes, there are elk outside those properties on forest service land.  Each pass is only good per person, they don’t sell out I believe in the white river side.  You can’t hunt elk on the kapowsin Hancock property, they have their own draw for that. Opening day is on a Saturday, you going to hunt that day?

[bkaech]

Thanks for the congrats. Yes I thought it over and decided to go ahead and keep the tag.  As far as WR, I see a couple of permits that may need to be bought. Kapowsin and Hancock. A couple of things that make me stop and think. 1. I would need to buy a permit for every person that is in the rig with me (that is if someone is with me) 2. Do they sell out? Maybe I need to buck up and buy both of them now? All new to that area so just throwing things out that come to mind. Thanks again.

Don't buy the passes!  With the Kapowsin pass you can't use it during any elk season (won't help you) and the White River pass is not worth it (doesn't sell out either), you can hunt on Forest Service land. Aslo, yes, every person (adult) in the vehicle needs their own pass. Just don't do it.

[mritech1]

 Great info regarding the Hancock pass. Just that in itself has helped me greatly. thank you. As of now my plan is to hit the Nooksack Sept 1st for a week. After that I would be in the WR on opening day of that season Sept 8th. I was told to notify the fish and game wherever I end up so when they get reports of someone with a rifle shooting at elk they have a heads up as to what is going on.

[JimmyHoffa]

Wow, congrats.  Dream tag right there.