Archer Elk in Central WA

[returnofsid]

The majority of my hunting has been in the NE corner of the state, for most of my life.  I strictly archery hunt.

Well, after living most of my live in Spokane, after growing up in Newport, I'm moving to Ellensburg for work.  We will maintain our home in Spokane, as my girlfriend and daughter will remain in Spokane for the time being.  I'll visit them on some days off and they'll come visit me. 

As for hunting prospects, I know absolutely nothing.  While archery hunting, I've always hunted areas that are any bull, and most areas allowed any elk.  From the little I do know, that's not the case in the central units.  Basically, that's the extent of my knowledge of archery hunting the center of the state.  So, please educate me, as much as you're willing to.  I'm not at all looking for confidential information, honey holes, or anything like that.  I do plan on reading up on regulations, using last year's pamphlet, until 2019 is published.  I also plan on spending some of my time off learning as much about the area as I can, and scouting when I'm able. 

Thanks all!  I start the new job in 2 days, and move down there tomorrow! Short term, I'll be staying in the guest house of my new boss.  In the near future, I'll be towing our 26' travel trailer down there to live in.

[scooby]

I'm a new hunter on the forum learning my way around too, so I don't have much to add, but I lived in Ellensburg for about a decade and loved the terrain all around there, I bet you will too. Good luck this year!

[stickslinger]

Elk hunting around elensburg is not what it used to be, LOTS OF PEOPLE! not all hike, some just road hunt, some have zero respect for other hunters. In my opinion there are too many roads so escapement for the elk  is tough so the majority of the elk head to closed areas ( private or other units not open). That being said if you hunt hard you should still find opportunity.

[greenhead_killer]

Ever since it went to otc cow, it’s been as bad if not worse than what rifle season is. It’s an absolute disaster for the elk. Good luck if you get out, there are still some good areas that stay void of people. If you find one, don’t tell a soul.

[elkfins]

I've hunted the area since i was a kid and switched to archery from rifle a few years ago.  My son hunts Rifle so I was up there for both archery and rifle season this year.  There were more people in the Taneum and Manashtash units during Archery last year than during rifle season the last couple of years.

[Jimmy33]

I live in Ellensburg and have hunted both the NE and Ellensburg areas for elk...if you have some good spots in NE WA I would just concentrate there


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[returnofsid]

Sorry for such a delayed response!  I've been spending the past couple weeks getting my bearings at work, and getting back to Spokane on my days off.  I have spent a couple days off exploring the area.  Drove up the canyon and through.  Beautiful country! 

Where's the decent fishing?  I want ideas for fly fishing, as well as just an area to take my kids/grandkids where they'll have a decent chance of at least catching something.

[kirkl]

Yakima river is one the of the best fly fishing rivers around. for bank fishing there is two ponds off of I82 close to Eburg that get stocked.

[nutntoit]

I lived and went to school in Ellensburg and commuted to Spokane for work on the weekends, so I am very familiar with your situation. There are a ton of Elk in the Ellensburg area but as others have said it gets hit HARD. A lot of guys come over the mountains and set up camp for the entire season. That being said I have a buddy who hunts archery up there every year and is successful fairly often. It can be done but you will need to put in the work ahead of time and get as far from the crowd as you can. I never big game hunted when I lived there but I did spend a lot of time chasing birds and Coyotes. There is plenty of public land and it is an awesome area. I miss it often.

As for fishing the Yak is great, plenty of opportunity and only like 10 minutes from town.

[boneaddict]

The country is excellent around eburg, but the experience will be way different than what you are probably used to in the NE corner.   If you are hardcore, the Yak is a great fishery.  For kids and family fun the ponds just north of the gap, or south of eburg are stocked well and are a fun place to catch.