Looking for suggestions on locations

[Skillet]

New here - I cannot believe I haven't found this site until now...

Anyway, here's the story - I have a buddy in Minnesota that used to live out here, and he recently got into bowhunting.  He got three or so whitetails out there last fall (I think you're allowed 5), and now he is really wanting to come visit during the late archery hunt and try for elk.  Here's the deal - I've only bow hunted deer and muzzleloaded elk, so bowhunting elk will be a new adventure for both of us.  I've always taken pride in searching out and finding my own spots, but in this case, I'm not ashamed to ask for a bit of a compass heading.  He's going to be spending $400 for an out of state tag plus his travel expenses, and I'd like to make sure he gets a quality experience.

What is quality to me?  1st- elk in the area, 2nd - solitude, 3rd - successful hunt.  Not gonna guarantee him an elk, but I do want to give him (and myself) a reasonable shot at it.  Not looking for GPS coordinates by any stretch, but would anyone venture a suggestion for a GMU or Elk Area that would be a good starting point?  We are absolutely not afraid to work for our elk, and if backpacking in to get away from the crowds is available, all the better.  What I don't want to do is pack for 10 miles, find a nice little base camp area, and an hour later have a guy on a 4 wheeler blow by us (actually happened before - green dot road area that I thought was closed to motorized traffic).  Kind of takes the fun out of it...  I'm not against hunting any area of the state, as long as it will provide a fair chase with a reasonable chance that I'm not racing two other groups to the elk every morning...

If you think about it, he's paying the WDFW 10x what a resident hunter would - stuffing those coffers.  That will benefit all of us, and at MOST only at the cost of one Washington elk.  So, what do you think - can you point me in a general direction that will give my midwest buddy a good Washington elk hunt story to tell?
Thanks in advance,

Chris

[jackelope]

you just described what we are all looking for in an archery elk hunt.

have you done any research on here? there's about a weeks worth of reading on this topic on here.
gohunt on wdfw's website? good tool.

welcome to the site by the way.
there's an introduction thread, you should go tell us a little about yourself there.

[Skillet]

Well, then, it looks like I found a group of like-minded fellows!  I used to get the WDFW reports and pour over them for hours for deer - I'll do the same for the elk, too.  I guess I'm just really bummed that the only GMU I know well for muzzleloading elk doesn't have a late bow season...  looks like I'm going to wear out some boot leather this summer 

When I get a little more time, I'll do the self-intro. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Welcome to the forum. Dont expect a lot of information forthcoming from your post. I researched on WDFW websight and found an area like you are asking about. Then I asked about it on 5 different forums and until recently had no input.....Now almost all input is to find another unit. I think I found the right one!! I am going early season but if you are still looking when the time comes I will tell you how it went.

[bobcat]

Why doesn't he come out and hunt the early season instead of the late? There are more units open and the success rates are better with the elk being in the rut. If I was paying that kind of money for an elk tag I'd want to hunt at at time when the hunting is best.

Is he wanting a bull or would he be happy with a cow?

[jackelope]

i'll 2nd that. if i was paying washington's ridiculous non-res prices for archery elk, i would insist on hunting the rut.
most likely on the westside(hint hint for a start) where you can hunt big bulls OTC.

[Crunchy]

I would try the Winston unit with the rest of US   jjj  I would only add that you got to get into the timber, behind locked gates and put on some miles if you want to increase your odds.

[dreamingbig]

Sorry to disappoint you but the late archery elk season is pretty limited on the east side.  The game department has chosen to open only a few units.  I have heard the opportunity is better on the west side during the late hunt but of course you have to choose east vs. west when buying a tag and the early season on the east side is a lot of fun.  I personally think the late hunt units should be open to all archery hunters regardless of east vs. west side for early season.

Good luck with your search.

[coldsteel3d]

I would only hunt the late season if there is no way possible that he could make it out for the early season.  If you are interested in some advice for the early season, let me know, I have a pretty good idea of how to hunt it. 

[Little Fish]

Another vote for the early season....more areas open, people more spread out, good weather, rut happening etc.

[Skyvalhunter]

Another idea might be for you to go with one of the site sponsors and have them take you back on a drop camp.

[Skillet]

Wow - thanks for the input, guys.  I am trying to get him convinced to come in Sept - I think he had a family thanksgiving and elk hunt trip combo in mind - but for me, the rut is where it's at. 

I think he needs some antlers to take back to MN with him - show them flatlanders what a real rack looks like!  Last day, though, a cow would be fine, I think.  He has talked about

Hey, that Winston unit sounds pretty good 

I didn't think of a drop camp - I'm pretty much a DIY guy, but this one time I'm short on time and knowledge... I will look into the site sponsors.  I wonder if it's hot and you get an elk on day 1 or 2, how do you keep the meat cool until the guide comes back in to get you?  I've never hunted that early, so have never had to deal with that kind of temp...

Coldsteel, I may be pinging you soon if I can get agreement on the early season!  Always willing to trade info...

Thanks again, guys-

Chris

[jackelope]

some of the outfitters on those drop camps will come in every other day to check to see if you need anything, meat packed, etc.

[Skyvalhunter]

yea and some check on you as they are bringing another group of hunters in also.

[M_ray]

IMO the only reason to hunt elk is for the rut in Sept.!!!  Otherwise I'd be in love with sheep like Popeshawnpaul!!!  Just face it now ... most that have put years into scouting are not going to hand over any secrets so you'll be doing what we have done and spending the first couple of years figureing out an area.

[Skillet]

Already faced it - see my second and third posts. 

Now I'm really kind of interested in a drop camp.  I'll start making some calls tonight, starting with the site's sponsors.  Having never hired a guide like this, though - what are some important questions (aside from "how much?")to ask?  Thanks again, fellas?

[Todd_ID]

I grew up as a guide in Idaho with my mom owning a backcountry outfitting business.  Drop camps are a good choice for someone who knows how to hunt elk but just needs an area.  If you are new to elk hunting, then either expect to invest the years to gain the experience or pay the full fee for the guided trip.  The questions to ask (also known as the problems I've heard) are:

-Transport and lodging before and after the hunt.
- Method and timing of transport in and out.
- Method of communications (for your kill early scenario).  Most outfitters have a packer on standby in the local area to get an animal out the day that you kill it just because meat care is so important; also, most of the cost of a drop camp is to pay that packer/guide with no clients to standby at base camp waiting for you to radio that you killed something throughout the week that you are hunting.
- Distance that will be covered by horse, 4-wheeler, etc. on trip in and out.  Many complain after about 7-8 miles on a horse.
- Length of trip including drop-off and pick up times for the first and last days
- Taxidermy prep and delivery or not.  Some drop-camp hunters can do it and some haven't a clue.  Most packers can cape an animal, so that may be an option.  Most outfitters put a premium on getting someone there in time to cape an animal and for the labor of doing it.
- Cost of extra days.  Nobody, unless it's just one guy, alone, that gets lucky, tags out in the allotted time frame for the hunt, and they almost always ask to stay an extra couple days and have the outfitter arrange their travel plans since they are out of cell range.  A smart outfitter will charge extra for this service, and it'll be worth paying for you.  The extra couple days that you pay for will be well worth it, because you'll finally be learning the area and figuring out how to hunt the animals about the last day of the trip.
- "Where will I be located in reference to your guided hunters?"  Most outfitters will put the drop camps in a good area and save the great areas for their guided clients; this is very common.
- Available tents, stoves, etc.  Basically, "What do I need to bring?"
- "Will you give me a map of the area with the elk areas marked or look at my map and show me where, exactly, to hunt and call from for a good starting point?"  This is important!  Drop camps don't generate enough revenue to pay the bills for the year, so outfitters are generally stingy on information to those clients.
- References.  Most specifically ask for references that did not harvest last year or the year prior.  Call those people and ask about their opinion.  The most important question is, "Would you do it again, even if it meant straining the budget?"  Call at least three.
-The final thing to ask about is quality of animals in the area.  Most outfitters will glorify their hunting area for a reason: they want your money to pay the bills of running their business!  You've got to be realistic about the expectations.  If you hunt with a bow, then you should be happy taking a cow in the last three days of the trip.

The last thing is to have fun!  Harvest or not should not determine the success of your trip.  Drop camps mean completely unfamiliar areas and tough hunting, but you can get into some amazing areas with the right outfitter.  If you can hunt elk, then a drop camp is a perfect solution to the question of "where?"

[Todd_ID]

And there ends the dissertation on drop camps! 


Sorry to get so long-winded.  I've seen the good and bad of it.  The good trips are the ones that the clients knew ahead of time what they were in for, and the problem trips were the ones where the people expected something that wasn't agreed upon.  There isn't much money to be made in drop camps, so the outfitters have a hard time trying hard to make them successful.  Sure, there's a cash flow coming in from the $1500 bucks that the client paid, but there's $1300 going out to pay for the expenses of that trip, so there's not much incentive to provide a "perfect" trip.

[Timmybob]

Todd_ID,
   Dude, that is some great information right there. Thanks for your insight and advise....

[Skillet]

Todd_ID-

Holy cow, man - thank you!  I ask a question about outfitters, and get some great advice / things to think about... very cool of you to share all of that.   Great stuff

[Skillet]

Update-

No small thanks to the flood of input from you fellas, Minnesota boy saw the light and will be here for early season in 2010.  I, however, will be here for the rut in 2009    I will get to hunt my favorite areas and have time to find a few more before he comes out. 

Going to have to put the ol' muzzleloader away and blow the dust off the bow - but that's a whole 'nother topic.  Thanks for the input to all, and to those who PM'd me with advice - I owe you one.  While I'm new here, I'm not just a "taker".  I plan to reciprocate as I gain more bow hunting and elk knowledge in the future.  Let the scouting begin...

[huntnphool]

Welcome to the site Skillet, good stuff Todd