collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Elk Hunting  (Read 2783 times)

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8204
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Elk Hunting
« on: September 10, 2018, 12:30:01 PM »
I have to say that after 9 seasons of archery elk hunting I haven't had to luck.  Over the years from hitting ice with my vehicle and almost driving off a cliff to messing up my knee twice just 3 years apart.  I don't have a regular place to hunt.  I do lot of Onx map and Google Earth hunting.  I read a lot about what everyone says here about hunting elk and read a lot.  I love my turkey hunting but love all hunting.  I found out last year that I now have degenerative arthritis in both my knees and my ankles too.  I was pushing 350 this spring well as of right now I have almost lost 70 lbs.  I went out Saturday and Sunday put about 4 miles a day on my boots.  Had what I think was an elk talking yesterday but he just wouldn't come in.  Just not ready yet to get deep in yet.  I am super happy with my progress.  I wish I could call a bit better though.   :chuckle:  Wife told me that I wasn't very good and turkey calling at first either.  I really never practiced that much in bugling.  I am not bad on the cow call though.  One more weekend for the early archery season for elk.  Even if I not successful in harvesting an elk again this year I am still pretty happy with the season.  Still go the late season.  Happy hunting to all.
Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline jennabug

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2016
  • Posts: 909
  • Location: TriCities
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2018, 12:33:39 PM »
I'm rooting for you Russ! You both put in a lot of work this year.  :hello:

Offline nwmein199

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 1055
  • Location: Wetside
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2018, 12:46:53 PM »
Best of luck to you Russ. I wish I could provide some advice or expertise but I have neither of them. But I can help with a packout if you get an animal down (Im assuming you are hunting the westside). Send me a PM if you are interested to get my number. I am in Bonney Lake BTW.

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8204
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2018, 01:13:40 PM »
Best of luck to you Russ. I wish I could provide some advice or expertise but I have neither of them. But I can help with a packout if you get an animal down (Im assuming you are hunting the westside). Send me a PM if you are interested to get my number. I am in Bonney Lake BTW.
PM your number and yes I am hunting the westside.  Thanks  :tup:
Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline lamrith

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 2161
  • Location: Tacoma, WA
    • https://www.facebook.com/pelletpeddler/
    • Pellet Peddler LLC
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2018, 02:09:33 PM »
Russ,
Let me know if you want company out walking thru the woods.  I have a decent cow call and ok locator bugle.  I haven't gone out  this year either, just been crazy busy, but always open to stomping around scaring the elk.

Congrats on losing the weight too, that is awesome and not easy to do!

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8204
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2018, 07:11:48 PM »
Russ,
Let me know if you want company out walking thru the woods.  I have a decent cow call and ok locator bugle.  I haven't gone out  this year either, just been crazy busy, but always open to stomping around scaring the elk.

Congrats on losing the weight too, that is awesome and not easy to do!
:tup:

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline bowhunterforever

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 8540
  • Location: Lincoln, Co
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2018, 12:25:15 AM »
Good luck russ :tup:
You sure you know how to skin griz pilgram

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8204
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2018, 04:56:45 PM »
Russ,
Let me know if you want company out walking thru the woods.  I have a decent cow call and ok locator bugle.  I haven't gone out  this year either, just been crazy busy, but always open to stomping around scaring the elk.

Congrats on losing the weight too, that is awesome and not easy to do!
You got a day off this week?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 19955
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2018, 05:17:39 PM »
Most are not successful in elk hunting, don’t get discouraged.  Heck, I’ve done pretty well with elk but archery is a whole nother experience. Mostly rifle hunted all my life, but getting humbled w archery, didn’t lose a single arrow at the Stevens pass shoot, lost  3 this week.  Missed a 5 point, miss judged distance, and should have killed a spike opening day.  Been out smarted by the same bull twice in 3 days, he got me again today.  Keep at it, there just isn’t anything like a screaming bull in the woods during season.  You’ll get one
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline jstone

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 6612
Re: Elk Hunting
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2018, 05:54:00 PM »
It’s not easy with archery. I was in the middle of two herds of elk today. 3 big bulls. With in 100 yards for a half hour. Couldn’t make it happen cause of to many eyes. Part of the game. That’s what makes it existing to me.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

How much do you think my truck is worth? by JDArms1240
[Today at 01:24:40 AM]


Bullet performance 2025? by Rigby416
[Today at 12:28:20 AM]


King of the mountain caught sleeping by Rigby416
[Today at 12:08:24 AM]


2025 elk success thread!! by deerlick
[Yesterday at 11:09:31 PM]


SPIKE??? by pashok23
[Yesterday at 10:24:51 PM]


2025 blacktail rut thread by fowl smacker
[Yesterday at 10:08:31 PM]


Manulife (Hancock) Land Closures by MMCCAULEY
[Yesterday at 08:25:39 PM]


Getting the hang of hanging on to mallards! by Goshawk
[Yesterday at 07:55:31 PM]


Where do the bulls go? by JWBINX
[Yesterday at 05:57:19 PM]


GMU 111 Aladdin Moose Hunt 2025! by teanawayslayer
[Yesterday at 04:52:10 PM]


2025 General Season Rifle Hunt VIDEO. by DWAT
[Yesterday at 02:37:49 PM]


Pathfinder's Opening Day Deer by Pathfinder101
[Yesterday at 02:32:42 PM]


2025 deer, let's see em! by jason stevens
[Yesterday at 02:06:24 PM]


Pan Fried Chicken Recipes by Fidelk
[Yesterday at 11:18:31 AM]


2025 Mt. St. Helens success? by Mulie87
[Yesterday at 08:26:10 AM]


The One by Rem14
[Yesterday at 08:25:43 AM]


Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild by Emptyhanded
[Yesterday at 07:39:46 AM]


Wall Tents Tips and Tricks by Kingofthemountain83
[October 25, 2025, 09:28:36 PM]


Blue mountains deer permit by Kingofthemountain83
[October 25, 2025, 09:18:11 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal