Long Time Listener, First Time Caller from AZ

[roger1042]

I’ve been a lurker here for awhile. Met a guy through my work who convinced me to become an actual member (I can’t remember your username, WildMan maybe? Sorry!)

I’m a recent transplant to Bremerton from AZ. Headed out solo for archery elk in 638 this evening. Send some juju to the elk gods for me!

[jstrickc]

Have fun Roger! Hammer down

[Brandon.Hunter]

Juju's have been sent. Welcome!

[Jake Dogfish]

Good luck! 

[Bob33]

Good luck. Post a story regardless of outcome. 

[wheels1]

Good luck

[pianoman9701]

Welcome! Let's see some pics! 

[Sundance]

Hope you have a bear tag, lots of bruins in that country

[Sandberm]

Good luck. Everybody likes to hear how the hunt went so feel free to update the thread with any observations. Folks will comment and nudge you in a direction to help you be successful. 

[JDArms1240]

Good luck!

Waiting to see pictures of the elk!

[roger1042]

Thanks for the welcome, WA! Sorry for the delayed response, I’m recovering from the tail-kicking that is, apparently, hunting roosies in Western WA.

I started the weekend strong with good opening day wind as I dropped into a canyon before first light. I had heard no bugles either overnight or that morning - which was a bit disappointing coming from AZ. (Now, it should be said that we used to camp AZ Unit 9 during the rut just to experience those awesome animals.) Anyways… I hit the canyon bottom and made my way to an area I had scouted for feed, no elk, no sign of elk. Everything I found scouting and at that time was all old. At this point, no bugles, no fresh sign had me really wondering if I hadn’t messed up the hunt. I hit a few other locations with no fresh elk sign anywhere to be found. I did find TONS of bear sign, one pile so fresh I was surprised it wasn’t warm. I blew a bear out incidentally walking back to my car. (Check that spot off for filling my bear tag. Y’all think a .243 will take him? It’s all I have).

I relocated to the Clearwater GMU hoping to find your classic rut behavior. Once again, no bugles overnight, no fresh sign. I started to really question my abilities. I found tons of old beds, old tracks, and old scat - so I convinced myself that, at least, I’m onto something. I took some advice from the Elknut and decided I needed to get into some thick nasty timber.. That means something different in Western WA. The blackberry and devils club wrapped itself around my ankles, the old clearcut decay sunk my feet in ways that surely should have brought me down. I’d descend 600 of 1000 feet to find the brush impassable, only to stare up the ridge and question myself again.

This is where the profound experience of hunting solo really kicked in.. The highs and lows that a hunting buddy can temper are left to play themselves out fully. A number of times, I just sat down in a blackberry patch before finding some sign of hope to bring me up again. Sometimes it was a bird, a squirrel, a spider. It was incredible to experience such pure emotions free of outside influence and be able to challenge myself to “one more” canyon.

My third day didn’t end up much different, unfortunately. Except I had a cup of coffee on a ridgetop and watched the sun rise from behind the Olympics while overlooking all the other peaks. That was special. I packed it up with the bittersweet realization that my elk season had ended and I brought home tag soup for my family. It wasn’t until much later that I had the insight that experiencing this was special. Not many people have the opportunity to do what we do, whether it be financial constraints, cultural considerations, or the sheer learning curve of hunting that exists for those who grew up outside the world.

I’ve been furiously engaged in research since my return and anxiously await the return of September 10, 2023 for my redemption song. In the meantime, I’m going to introduce my brother-in-law to his first hunt by taking him out for blacktail and a black bear, if my .243 shoots true and we can find the ghosts among the timber anyways…

Cliffnotes: Brush kicked my tail, this is tough country, I didn’t see or hear anything even remotely promising, and I can’t wait to try it again.

[HntnFsh]

Cliffnotes: Brush kicked my tail, this is tough country, I didn’t see or hear anything even remotely promising, and I can’t wait to try it again.

Sounds a lot like elk hunting!
Welcome aboard!

[cem3434]

Cliffnotes: Brush kicked my tail, this is tough country, I didn’t see or hear anything even remotely promising, and I can’t wait to try it again.

Sounds a lot like elk hunting!
Welcome aboard!

Welcome to Western Washington elk hunting at its finest!   

[In_Grained_Outdoors]

Nice work getting after it. Clearwater ain't no joke. I have had some fun there myself.

[Sundance]

It was quiet on the peninsula this September for me as well, we saw elk but not much talking. Keep at it, once you cross paths with a monster Rosie in the thick and nasty you are hooked.