Weapon Type Olympic Peninsula Elk

[lht70807]

First year elk hunter. Have harvested dozens of deer.

Can't decide which weapon type to use. I am on the nw end of the peninsula. Have cams up, have some travel routes pinned, rubs from last fall.

I think I need to decide on weapon type soon in order to submit my special hunt applications. Or should I just say screw those and see what my cams show come August and then decide. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[MeepDog]

Welcome to the forum. Post season scouting is the best time to gather information to make decisions like these. You're a little late since green up has started, but boots on the ground never hurts.this time of year.

[444Marlin]

If I was on the NW end of the Pen, I would be all over the archery opportunity.

I've dragged a muzzleloader up there, but I couldn't keep it dry.

Get after fall bear, and you'll probably start seeing some good sign of where the elk are at.

[Fidelk]

The successful elk hunters that I know of out here on the Peninsula all archery hunt. It's close to the rut, you're getting the first shot at them and the bulls respond to calls. By the time that Modern Firearm opens, I have heard that the elk are scattered and have boogied off to rough tree clogged terrain to get some peace and quiet and wait out the hunting seasons.

[bkaech]

Hunt what you are comfortable with, or enjoy. There are reasons for the dates of the hunts, archery has a better chance of finding bulls but not necessarily getting a shot, rifle has a better chance of killing a bull if you can find it, muzzy is in the middle.  I suspect if you can find the elk in the summer you will be able to find them in the fall, early or late fall won't matter.

[WapitiTalk1]

Go with what you’re comfortable with, the peninsula has been a steady decline for elk since the early 90s. There are still elk there but not like in years past. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Archery season:  (early) still has fire danger (possible closures), summer campers, heat.
Most bulls that will be available, rut, not as difficult to locate.

Muzzy:  (early) maybe some fire closure lingering, first rains and mushroom pickers all around.
Some late rut possible, weather not terrible.
 
Modern:  tends to rain a lot, usually windy, washing out roads.  Lots of road hunters.  Elk holing up on private or in the park or go stealth.

Archery/Muzzy: (late) not that crowded, wet, cold, short days.

[steeleywhopper]

Archery season:  (early) still has fire danger (possible closures), summer campers, heat.
Most bulls that will be available, rut, not as difficult to locate.

Muzzy:  (early) maybe some fire closure lingering, first rains and mushroom pickers all around.
Some late rut possible, weather not terrible.
 
Modern:  tends to rain a lot, usually windy, washing out roads.  Lots of road hunters.  Elk holing up on private or in the park or go stealth.

Archery/Muzzy: (late) not that crowded, wet, cold, short days.

This sums it up perfectly

[blackveltbowhunter]

Go with what you’re comfortable with, the peninsula state of washington has been a steady decline for elk since the early 90s. There are still elk there but not like in years past.

Just a point of clarification 

[WapitiTalk1]

Go with what you’re comfortable with, the peninsula state of washington has been a steady decline for elk since the early 90s. There are still elk there but not like in years past.

Just a point of clarification 

No trout about that! 

[highcountry_hunter]

Archery season:  (early) still has fire danger (possible closures), summer campers, heat.
Most bulls that will be available, rut, not as difficult to locate.

Muzzy:  (early) maybe some fire closure lingering, first rains and mushroom pickers all around.
Some late rut possible, weather not terrible.
 
Modern:  tends to rain a lot, usually windy, washing out roads.  Lots of road hunters.  Elk holing up on private or in the park or go stealth.

Archery/Muzzy: (late) not that crowded, wet, cold, short days.

Are there really fires on the peninsula? I always thought it was a rainforest


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[MADMAX]

Archery season:  (early) still has fire danger (possible closures), summer campers, heat.
Most bulls that will be available, rut, not as difficult to locate.

Muzzy:  (early) maybe some fire closure lingering, first rains and mushroom pickers all around.
Some late rut possible, weather not terrible.
 
Modern:  tends to rain a lot, usually windy, washing out roads.  Lots of road hunters.  Elk holing up on private or in the park or go stealth.

Archery/Muzzy: (late) not that crowded, wet, cold, short days.

Are there really fires on the peninsula? I always thought it was a rainforest


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There are idiots everywhere

https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/out-and-about/maple-fire-investigation-results

[highcountry_hunter]

Archery season:  (early) still has fire danger (possible closures), summer campers, heat.
Most bulls that will be available, rut, not as difficult to locate.

Muzzy:  (early) maybe some fire closure lingering, first rains and mushroom pickers all around.
Some late rut possible, weather not terrible.
 
Modern:  tends to rain a lot, usually windy, washing out roads.  Lots of road hunters.  Elk holing up on private or in the park or go stealth.

Archery/Muzzy: (late) not that crowded, wet, cold, short days.

Are there really fires on the peninsula? I always thought it was a rainforest


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There are idiots everywhere

https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/out-and-about/maple-fire-investigation-results

Am I the idiot for not know there’s fires on the peninsula or are the idiots the guys who started the fire haha


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