Drew Archery Skokomish Bull

[cjensen]

I certainly feel lucky this year -- any tag in this state is a good one.  I typically hunt in South Rainier or one of the other crowded units for general, but happy to have a special tag even if all reports appear to report that all elk in the region have been poached and long gone.  Perhaps I'll have a better chance at a bear or deer, but I look forward to at least finding a spot in the woods to park.   

While I can read some old posts here, I dont really see anything remotely positive about this unit.  I see several posts about staying away from roads, dangerous encounters with Native Americans, thick, steep, etc.   Any sort of helpful pointers would be greatly appreciated.   Should I get any sort of access pass for timberland?  Will I be overrun by deer hunters?   Is it still true that any calling leads to encounters with Native hunters?

I currently plan to take a scouting trip next weekend.   I plan to hike up to Discovery Lake, and even risk my life and pride going into the roadless Wonder Mountain area north up to the Park Boundary. 

While I've managed to be completely harmless since 2006 in this state to any horned animal, I have done some good in other states for elk and deer.  I would rather not get an elk than hunt in a private field.   I will keep the likely small audience updated on my scouting and potential success on this hunt.   I'd be happy to connect with any other permit holders and again would be very appreciative of any advice for this unit.   I typically wouldnt even ask, but since most of these hunts end up being a OIL, I've seen a lot of very helpful folks on here.  I think some others can attest that I've also been very forthcoming with information with PMs in the past.

Thanks and good luck this year folks! 

Chris

[hunterednate]

Congrats on the tag! I don't have any experience in that unit, but will be rooting for you. Best of luck.

[Blacktailaddict]

i have seen elk behind the gates once they close them for winter, they are there, good luck! dont be too proud if you can get access to shoot one in the field, will probably get a dandy

[ASienkiewich]

I put in for this, I wasn’t so lucky.

Don’t worry about what most people say these days about elk hunting. Everyone wants to complain and blame it on something as to why they couldn’t get one. Plenty of elk if you scout and hunt your tail off.

The main reason you don’t hear any good, is because most of the good hunters keep their mouths shut

Stay positive and hunt hard. Best of luck to you. Tagging along.


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[cjensen]

Thanks for the help guys!  Looking forward to it. 

[Platensek-po]

I live just minutes away and wish I could hunt that. As close as you can get to the park without going in it! Look at the skoke river trails and I’m not sure I would waste too much time on wonder mountain. It’s steep deep brushy as hell and no trails. I see lots of sign on the gravel bars on the river when I float it and they are definitely in the fields in the valley when the snows come in later in the year. It gets a lot of deer hunters during modern but not so sure about archery. There are a lot more people in that area now too. If you need help with a pack out let me know! I’ve never actually spent much time chasing elk in there as there is no season. I did run into some bios that had just collared a cow after tranking it from a helicopter. Might be worth calling the bios and asking a few questions! Great area to scout during the summer tho! Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!!

[ASHQUACK]

Shoot me a pm, likewise I am from that area and when it was an open area hunted it for elk. Now that it's mostly gated and the passes sold out I don't hunt it, much. Buy I do know where the September bulls hang out.