New to Elk Hunting 2019 - What do you recommend for making it a FUN experience?

[Parasite]

So I'll be new to elk hunting this year. Read a whole bunch, listened to podcasts ... yada yada yada ... so what do you folks recommend for having a FUN elk hunting experience? I honestly don't even want to shoot an elk this year just so I don't have to quarter it up and pack it out myself. Any ideas? Roosevelts vs Rockies? Archery seasons sounds nice unless I'm missing something? Not sure where else to go with this topic at the moment. Like I said, FUN is the key takeaway. Unfortunately, I'll be doing this solo as I'm new to WA.

[pianoman9701]

Archery, an RV, a gallon or two of good bourbon, and about 30 cigars. Leave the wife at home unless she can pack meat. Don't eat any pepperoni from a guy named PlateauNDN. You might also go somewhere where there are elk. That's however, not a requirement for a good time.

[jstone]

Hunt with good people
Enjoy nature. I get out before daylight and take in the sounds of the elk bugling before the sun comes up. The birds. Watch the sun come up over the skyline. Let the busy life fade away. I take naps on the hill side sometimes. It’s the best nap you will ever take. Just enjoy the moment and life. If and when you get an animal. It’s the icing on the cake. Don’t stress
Have a blast and good luck

[RB]

Archery, an RV, a gallon or two of good bourbon, and about 30 cigars. Leave the wife at home unless she can pack meat. Don't eat any pepperoni from a guy named PlateauNDN. You might also go somewhere where there are elk. That's however, not a requirement for a good time.

 
Sage advice right there!

Here is what can be fun, pick a unit, east west does not matter. You will most likely stay drier on the east though. Get a map find public land and go find a camp spot. You going to tent? RV? Hotel? it all works a lot of guys on here have gotten animals no matter where or how they stayed.

Pick ridge, drainage, trail which ever you decide and head out. If you are going solo always let someone know where you will be and rough time you will be back. Also if going solo invest in a Delorme in reach  :two cents:

Walk some ridges, drive some miles, and get to know the area so each season it gets a little easier to find your way around, and find animals.

Most of all have fun!

Best of luck

[7mmfan]

For me a big part of enjoying my time hunting is enjoying the ground that I’m hunting. Pick an area with a landscape that’s appealing to you that has some elk and start exploring. For me that’s high country or eastern wa. The downside to most of eastern wa is it’s spike or true spike only. Western WA is a bit of a jungle, but you can hunt bulls in the rut, which is a huge plus.

I love exploring new country, and it’s all new for you so go into it with that mindset and you’re set.

[Stein]

I'm big into the entire experience, for early season I love camping in a tent with a stove and enjoying that part.  Spending a day cutting wood is part of the process and fun for me.  For real late season (November on) or if the opener of rifle is crazy cold or snowy, I stay in a hunting friendly hotel with a hot tub.  Completely different experience but very enjoyable to soak and talk with a few other hunting groups.

The actual hunting part depends on how you like to hunt.  I would say don't change the way you hunt because someone says it is better.  If you are enjoying yourself and it's legal, that's the right way.

[Parasite]

 Any thoughts on cow hunts?

[trophyhunt]

Archery for sure, the first time a bull screams in your face... fugget aboot it.  you'll be hooked!  And most is 3 point or anterless on the wetside, covers your cow.  And cow meat is da best!

[dvolmer]

If you want to have a fun and successful hunt, then don't waste your money here in Washington!  Go out of state.  If you want to have a fun camping trip and pretend that you are elk hunting then you might like Washington.  In the last 10 years WDFW, Liberal loons, Wolves, other predators that cant be hunted with hounds or bait, and uncontrolled native hunting has destroyed most of the hunting here in this state and in the next ten years will complete the destruction.

[b0bbyg]

my 
If you are going archery start practicing now, then you will know your limits and what you are comfortable with if you get a shot.

Archery also has more opportunity to get up close with critters and have adrenalin moments that can make the day feel successful without even getting off a shot.

Spend lots of time out there just seeing and learning, every day/season you learn new things see something different. Don't put too much pressure on yourself early just experiment and learn, even the best hunters sometimes just stumble into a great shot opportunity. I bet most of my good chances were on the way to the spot I think is where I ought to be, occasionally some good chances walking back to camp after calling it quits for the day.

You will encounter some camps that have good folks and will give advice if you are in an same area, others will not you will know quickly which you are camped by.  I have enjoyed getting to know a few of the camps near us over the years.

[Skyvalhunter]

Apply for Colorado elk hunts.they have the largest population for elk with lots of opportunity

[Stein]

Apply for Colorado elk hunts.they have the largest population for elk with lots of opportunity

That is what I would do. 

I'm new at archery hunting and I would absolutely shoot a cow if given the chance.  Look at the harvest statistics and maybe 7-15% of archers are successful in any given year.  Unless you really like antlers, a cow elk is great eating and fills the freezer quickly.

[Mr Mykiss]

Apply for Colorado elk hunts.they have the largest population for elk with lots of opportunity

That or literally any other state that has elk...OR, ID, MT, WY.

[JimmyHoffa]

Be realistic in your expectations.  I've seen guys drive across the state to a new area, then call a guide on the phone to ask for some spots, hunt that area in a newb way---then complain about it being a sucky waste of time.

[Tbob]

Lots of people are down on WA hunting, but it’s not that bad. Try living in Southern California and then get back to me about hunting in WA.. anyways, if you enjoy the outdoors then just get out there man.. sounds like you have zero expectations for bagging an animal so it would just be icing on the cake if you got one! I just love being out in the woods, weather I’m just camping, hiking, scouting, shed hunting, or hunting! I love archery season and usually hunt the westside due to the Best optins of bull or cow. Don’t over do it, like some have said, eat well at camp, drink some good stuff that you like (bourbon or good beers for me) and the last few years my solo camp has grown to 3 of us we and always have a blast just being out there together.. for me it’s about experiences and memories! Ya only live once and it’s a quick ride on this rock so I’m trying to soak up as much as I can! Let us know how you do out there dude!

[The Marquis]

Yeah, all the negativity on hunting in WA is a drag.  It's a great state to hunt.  LOADS of public land, lots of species variety.  Sure, it's not as good as some other western states, but I'll take it over the vast majority of the 50 states.  The cost is very low, there is a variety of terrain, weather, etc.  Great stuff.  I hunt for food and fun.  If I get one of those, I win, bonus for both.

As for my opinion on elk hunting, man... just go out there and do what you like doing in the woods, whatever that is, even if it is a huge mistake. 

This last season my hunting partner and I (at my behest) made a big change to what our plans were at the last second, deciding to beat some brush to get over to where we'd be glassing.  Big mistake.  Took a couple hours longer and by then, another hunter had taken an elk where we'd been planning to be at first light.  I look back at that day as a great day.  I was soaked, miserable, but it was fun and I've got a great story and a lesson learned about the area.  In fact, I'd say that day was pivotal for understanding the area we were hunting.

So, regarding Roosevelt vs. Rocky Mtn... Well, I feel it depends on your preferred weather.  With Rockies, you'll get very cold, often very windy and with a high likelihood of snow in a lot of the areas if you're hunting modern firearm (which is all I can speak to).  For Roosevelt... it's a bit warmer, but far wetter.  You'll be wet, period... unless a miracle happens and our one week of dry weather in November/December just so happens to coincide with Elk season... The most miserable I've probably ever been when hunting was elk hunting back in the 90's for Rocky Mountain Elk in the Cascades west of Yakima.  Brutal wind, loads of snow and zero visability.  Great stuff... though I hunt on the west side these days.

[dvolmer]

Yeah, all the negativity on hunting in WA is a drag.  It's a great state to hunt.  LOADS of public land, lots of species variety.  Sure, it's not as good as some other western states, but I'll take it over the vast majority of the 50 states.  The cost is very low, there is a variety of terrain, weather, etc.  Great stuff.  I hunt for food and fun.  If I get one of those, I win, bonus for both.

[dvolmer]

I don't want to come across brash, but, but, but, this must be coming from someone that hasn't elk hunted out of state.  Ive hunted elk in Washington state for over 40 years.  I've hunted extensively in the Blue's and in the Yakima/Ellensburg regions.  The elk hunting has went into the total garbage in both of these areas in the last 10 years.  If you want a nice camping trip in the fall then maybe you will be happy, but the elk hunting has absolutely terrible!!  Mass number of hunters and low low elk numbers.  I know the Clockum is in the same shape and probably worse!  I cant account for the west side.  If you have some special land options then you might be in luck.  Not only has the general hunting go in the trash, the special permit hunts have went in the toilet also.  Just wait until you put in for a special quality tag for 20 years and finally get drawn and there is no animals left.  Like I said, if you want a fun camping trip and a walk in a pumpkin patch then Washington has finally turned into your special place.  Happy hunting!

[bkaech]

My Advice, Imagine how you want your elk hunt to go, and do that! Some love backpacking, some love RV life, some love sleeping at home and going out each day to come home to a hot meal. Whatever you want.... do that.

I think there are lots of Elk on the west side and plenty of public land to go chase them on. The difficult part is finding them/seeing them in the think brush. But when you do.... Oh man, It's awesome!

I'll never forget my first real close encounter elk hunting. I was with my older brother and we had been tracking about a dozen elk for 3 or 4 hours. Bumped them several times but only heard then or saw flashes of hair through the thick brush at 20-30 yards. Eventually I stepped over a ridge while following fresh tracks and saw to elk staring at me at 10 yards, they seemed HUGE, but is was just a calf and a bedded cow, when the cow stood up I was shocked! of course the bolted and at the same time my brother did the same thing to about 5 elk, those ran straight towards me, came through the brush at about 10 yards, 4 cows and a spike, no legal bull. But I was hooked on elk hunting ever since.

I always see elk and have had a nice run the past few years of killing bulls. Also Ive only ever hunted general season tags on the west side either modern or muzzleloader. I would recommend archery or muzzleloader hunting for the west side for elk, you have to get close anyways and those season let you get closer and have more fun.

Good Luck!

(don't let any negative Nancy's get you down)

[elksnout]

Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.

That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.

Elksnout

[bearpaw]

Even if you are a rifle hunter, get out scouting when the elk are rutting, there is nothing in elk hunting more exciting than getting close to a bugling bull. That in itself will hook you on getting out in elk country. 

[pd]

It seems pretty simple to me:  Answer this question.

If you go hunting in the woods, and despite not seeing any animals, and despite snow/rain/wind/hail/heat/cold or any other natural calamity, would you still have an enjoyable experience?

If the answer is "yes," then stop thinking so hard, go buy a tag, and go elk hunting.  You will be fine, I guarantee it.

If the answer is "no," then don't buy a tag, elk hunting is not for you.

Good luck this year.

[Sliverslinger]

Has the elk hunting gone downhill - yes?

Is it possible to have both a blast and also tag out - also yes.

I've managed to tag out 5 out of the last 6 years. There's still plenty of elk to be had, get out this spring and find some.

What makes it fun for me is comraderie, the grind, persevering when everyone else is going home or whining about how the hunting has become so much tougher. Don't listen to the naysayers. I hunt both out of state and in Washington. While there are more elk in the units I hunt out of state, I've actually had better success rates on bulls here in WA because I know every inch of the units I hunt and where the elk will be on most given days. Last year in WA we averaged being on bulls 2-3 times every single day (that was response bugles we put a play on, set-ups, shots that didn't materialize, etc... archery hunter here). Saw very few other hunters. We didn't have a single day we weren't on elk and some days it was all day long in multiple different locations.

I hunt a unit where people say there are no elk left. I love that they think that. What makes it fun is the never say die mindset and knowing that if you keep after it there will be an opportunity sooner or later.

[Matth]

Has the elk hunting gone downhill - yes?

Is it possible to have both a blast and also tag out - also yes.

I've managed to tag out 5 out of the last 6 years. There's still plenty of elk to be had, get out this spring and find some.

What makes it fun for me is comraderie, the grind, persevering when everyone else is going home or whining about how the hunting has become so much tougher. Don't listen to the naysayers. I hunt both out of state and in Washington. While there are more elk in the units I hunt out of state, I've actually had better success rates on bulls here in WA because I know every inch of the units I hunt and where the elk will be on most given days. Last year in WA we averaged being on bulls 2-3 times every single day (that was response bugles we put a play on, set-ups, shots that didn't materialize, etc... archery hunter here). Saw very few other hunters. We didn't have a single day we weren't on elk and some days it was all day long in multiple different locations.

I hunt a unit where people say there are no elk left. I love that they think that. What makes it fun is the never say die mindset and knowing that if you keep after it there will be an opportunity sooner or later.

Yeah Buddy!!!!
I love the no elk left in Washington, go out of state guys. I hunt both in and out of state, and i think i would still rather hunt in Washington. I also believe it's because i have hunted the same basic area since i was 8 years old, so it's kinda like going home every fall.

[Stein]

If I knew an area in WA well and was successful at a reasonable level, I would absolutely stick with it.  There certainly guys that shoot great bulls in WA and if I was one of them I wouldn't be looking elsewhere. 

The OP is new to elk hunting and I believe new to WA, so that is a completely different scenario.  I was in the same boat and decided that if I was going to put in the time to learn an area from scratch, it made way more sense to learn an area where the current opportunity was as good as possible and the future outlook was positive.  That doesn't describe a single unit in WA.

The places where you can hunt a branch bull OTC is very limited and I don't see that improving.  The chance for regulation changes in these areas over time is very high in my opinion.  I didn't want to put 5-8 years learning an area only to have it go to permit for mature bulls or be shut off entirely, or to have hoof rot creep in, roads or trails closed, or......

For me, it made way more sense to budget in a very modest amount to save every month, pick a state with incredible OTC opportunity and proven game management and spend my time learning there.  It's going to cost me more to get the tag and another half day each way to get there, but once I left the state I was amazed at how much better the opportunity was.

This year, I will do two out of state hunts on the same tag, in two different areas with two different weapons and hunt 7-10 days each trip.  I have 11 weeks combined to choose from and can harvest a cow, calf, or brow tined bull.  I will be in an area that is equivalent to probably 90% of WA's quality draw hunts that people wait 15-20 years to hunt.

It really depends on what you are looking to get out of the hunt.  If actually shooting an animal isn't high on the list, the math totally changes.  I love the experience, but the number one reason I hunt is for the meat which means I place a very high priority on places where I have a good chance at getting a shot at some type of legal animal year after year.

[gee_unit360]

Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.

That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.

Elksnout

Well said!

[pianoman9701]

Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.

That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.

Elksnout

Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.

[elksnout]

Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.

That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.

Elksnout

Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.

Ha! We've had a beer together. Couple of years back when several of us got together at a little bar in Orchards.

[KevrosWanderin]

I am exactly in the same boat. I have purchased the combo tags already. Western Archery elk. I plan to run a small hot tent. Preferably keeping camp on my back. At the moment I am not in shape for that but I am working on it. My expectations are not high. Although I'm learning to call. I want to be in the thick of it....public land, back pack hunting, with my bow. I will call it a success to here bugles! I research the sh*t out things. So this is keeping me busy. 😂  we moved here in September. I'm just basically wanting to get and explore. Been hunting my entire life (36) in Missouri. The mountains are new.

If you or anyone would like to meet up sometime for coffee, or a drink. I'm open to meeting new people. It's early in the year so no commitments yet 😂.
I have always heard finding a good hunting partner is harder than finding a spouse!
 



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[pianoman9701]

Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.

That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.

Elksnout

Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.

Ha! We've had a beer together. Couple of years back when several of us got together at a little bar in Orchards.

About time for another HuntWA get together, huh?

[outdooraddict]

elksnout summed it up, i love the wall tent, campfire, and laughing and stories of "the way things used to be"  i can hunt alone, but like elksnout said "camping alone sucks"  hunting is just the bonus, and well if u lay down on a skid road and take a nap in the afternoon, or just sit and look around for a couple hours, then who cares, you might be one of the only peopel to lay eyes on that rock or specific tree, take it all in.

[Parasite]

I am exactly in the same boat. I have purchased the combo tags already. Western Archery elk. I plan to run a small hot tent. Preferably keeping camp on my back. At the moment I am not in shape for that but I am working on it. My expectations are not high. Although I'm learning to call. I want to be in the thick of it....public land, back pack hunting, with my bow. I will call it a success to here bugles! I research the sh*t out things. So this is keeping me busy. 😂  we moved here in September. I'm just basically wanting to get and explore. Been hunting my entire life (36) in Missouri. The mountains are new.

If you or anyone would like to meet up sometime for coffee, or a drink. I'm open to meeting new people. It's early in the year so no commitments yet 😂.
I have always heard finding a good hunting partner is harder than finding a spouse!
 



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I'll take you up on that offer when I get back. I'm in Okinawa until the 15th. I moved here from Southern Illinois, so you'll probably miss the big whitetails just like I do. I am looking forward to hunting Rios again, and Merriams for the first time. As for elk, I'm pretty sure I want to chase elk on the west side first.

[msg]

Wow, you want to purchase a tag and license but not kill an elk because you might have to butcher and pack out. That so does not compute. I am sure you could find several people on this site to help if the need arose. I can so remember walking up to my very first elk. My knees were jellow.

[msg]

If you want fun, kill an elk. I once gutted, butchered and packed out a forked horn bull in one day by myself. A mile and a quarter from animal to trailhead. Pure uncut fun. Wish I could do that now. My hunting partner chewed my ass one year for mentioning the word vacation. He abruptly told me that this is no vacation and that we are here to kill elk. That we did for many years due to summer and preseason scouting. We had the best fun on earth

[Boomerboy87]

I feel like that's all up to you. You can be obsessed and do your research and find out what works with your personality all the while working your version of fun into your own method or we could tell you how we feel about our version of how much fun elk hunting is. 

[elkboy]

elksnout summed it up, i love the wall tent, campfire, and laughing and stories of "the way things used to be"  i can hunt alone, but like elksnout said "camping alone sucks"  hunting is just the bonus, and well if u lay down on a skid road and take a nap in the afternoon, or just sit and look around for a couple hours, then who cares, you might be one of the only peopel to lay eyes on that rock or specific tree, take it all in.

Well said! It is all about time with friends and family, connecting with nature, and scanning every patch of timber for elk. Meat or antlers are a bonus.

[Parasite]

I'm not sure if I'll even be ready to hunt elk this fall now. I just got back from a month long trip to California and then in July I go to San Antonio, TX for a month for business. Damn work is getting in the way.

[Fullabull]

Ok, I've only hunted the west side but, if I wanted to have fun to start. I would hunt the east side, Archery and Learn to call. On the east side branch bulls are not legal so they will respond more and there is nothing like having bulls taking back at you. On the west side you need to be a like more experienced in calling as branch bulls are legal. Just my two cents.

[Skyvalhunter]

I agree about learning to call as it is fun calling in other hunters