Pointers for new resident

[Tntjames]

Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Stein]

Check out the regulations, they outline it.  In general, you have to pick your weapon type and half of the state to hunt during the general hunt.  Thus, you can hunt West Archery for example.  There are also permit (draw) hunts and the deadline is coming up.  There are plenty of threads active now on that if you want to have fun.  Overall, the odds are very low for the good hunts but it is relatively cheap ($13) once you buy your elk tag.

The other option is to get on I-90 until get out of Washington.

[full choke]

Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Essentially- you have to choose a weapon type (archery, or muzzleloader, or modern firearm), and you have to pick one side of the state to apply for- eastern or western. Either side provides for different opportunities, you have to decide which you would prefer yourself. You don't get to hunt both sides in the same season, and you don't get to hunt other weapon types in the same season. UNLESS... you draw a multi-season elk tag (too late to try this year), but that is a whole other set of rules. It is all in the regs- hours of enjoyable reading (I suggest drinking while you do it...)

The permits for private timber land are a whole other thread all on it's own- I would use the search function to get some better info.

[Taco280AI]

It starts at home. Look at what units there are, hunt odds, maps for access, satellite photos. Then pick a few areas to check out. Based on those areas, then come up with a strategy for those specific areas. As for land permits, never bought one myself.

[follow maggie]

The thing with buying permits from timber companies is that every year lots of land is closed off to access because of fire risk. And they don’t refund the permit cost, so you eat it.

[Matth]

The thing with buying permits from timber companies is that every year lots of land is closed off to access because of fire risk. And they don’t refund the permit cost, so you eat it.

I've heard this now a few times, that they close permit access on timber lands in washington. I have bought timber company permits on the oregon coast now for 4 years, and have never been locked out.

[JimmyHoffa]

The thing with buying permits from timber companies is that every year lots of land is closed off to access because of fire risk. And they don’t refund the permit cost, so you eat it.

I've heard this now a few times, that they close permit access on timber lands in washington. I have bought timber company permits on the oregon coast now for 4 years, and have never been locked out.

There seems to be a little rain each year by early muzzy season to open it up, but most years they open just in time for archery elk.  Kind of a gamble and need a back up spot if you do the WA permits.

[ThurstonCokid]

I would save your time and money and stay away from coweeman. The gmu is nothing like it used to be. The main part is deciding weapon and side of the mountains. Gmus starting in 4, 5, and 6 are westside. 1, 2, and 3 is east. Everything is scouting and trips after that! Good luck


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[bkaech]

I wouldn’t buy permits for timber land until you know an area and know you want to hunt there. I would start by getting out this summer close to home, or to places that look decent and look for elk. Decide where you want to hunt then look over the regs for that area. There is lots of state or forest service land that hold elk. Often timberland may be better, but not always, just get out and look around.

[msg]

Stay on Oregon coast, less people and way more elk. Weyerhauser St Helens permit on Wyrecreation.com is 300$ I believe the hoof-rot affects somewhere in the 80 some percent of the elk that are left. Then you have the fire danger issue in early archery. The Oregon coast is a gold mine compared to what is left in SW. WA

[pianoman9701]

There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.

[wannabhntr]

Go to Idaho or Oregon

[blackveltbowhunter]

TNT, Welcome to Washington and the site

   Its easy to get tags and permits, go to the WDFW website and cruise thru there for ten minutes and you should be able to get setup. If not computer Savvy go to a dealer and purchase tags and licenses there. Apps are by midnight tonight so if that is on the agenda you will need to go ASAP, but its not a big loss if not you can still hunt!

   If a St. Helens weyco permit is in the budget I would go that route all day long. Weyco has never closed for fire danger to my knowledge since the permit system and it would suck to put a bunch of energy into an area your first year and still need B thru Z plans to have a decent hunt. It opens up all the area you will likely be able to cover including several OTC GMUs and yes elk are there, its a shadow of its former glory but there is elk to hunt.

 Weyco Permits are relativley easy to acquire for that area VS some others that sell out in minutes, but if your serious I would get an account setup and plan to purchase when they post. A goodle search of weyco recreation should get you to the page and you can setup an account from there and see when permits go on sale. Good luck this season

[ljsommer]

There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.

I am always looking to sit down with anyone over drinks and cigars, could I get in on this? Too-few cigar fans nowadays

[SteelheadTed]

There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.

I am always looking to sit down with anyone over drinks and cigars, could I get in on this? Too-few cigar fans nowadays

Lets do it, the first HuntWA herf?  I've got Cubans, yum.