Peninsula Quality Elk Rifle

[NrthwstHuntr]

I’ve hunted the Clearwater area for years with decent success and I’m well versed in that particular area.

But I haven’t hunted the Sol Duc area, largely because of the number of hunters in the area. With the limited draw I’d at least like to take a look at it.  I know some of you here are familiar with the area and I’ve read some of the previous threads about this permit.

I’m interested in areas to start looking, I should be able to make it out there a couple times this summer.

Also interested in areas that are good to camp for hunting season. I’ll be bringing my 20’ trailer and it’s set up for extended boon-docking.

If the weather permits and if I’m at all successful I’ll do a write up and share some photos.

My dad has gotten a bit too old and my kids are too young so I’ll be going solo on this hunt.

[Bob33]

Best wishes. I'm sure someone will chip in with information.

Please write up a story regardless of the outcome. I think the hunts that don't end in harvest are often more interesting than those which do.

[Falcon]

Huge congrats on your tag.

Not familiar with those units.  Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22, I am sure you are going to have a blast chasing bugles
Best of luck!

[Fidelk]

Got curious......looking up info.

---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.

---Hunt dates Sept.23-27

---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.

---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.

---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.

---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.

---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow other access.

That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.

[MADMAX]

Good luck
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html

[NrthwstHuntr]

Got curious......looking up info.

---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.

---Hunt dates Sept.23-27

---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.

---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.

---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.

---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.

---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.

That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.

The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.

But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.

[NrthwstHuntr]

Good luck
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html

I did read through that one. I’m not sure where he hunted but it was a nice read. I’ve seen some massive 5 points in the area. Never been able to connect with anything larger than a 4 point.

[Fidelk]

Got curious......looking up info.

---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.

---Hunt dates Sept.23-27

---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.

---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.

---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.

---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.

---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.

That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.

The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.

But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.

Me neither. I live here and have deer in my yard daily but have mostly hunted them up near Kettle Falls. And have only hunted elk south of Cle Elum. I only know one local archery hunter but will ask for info......but he's kind of secretive.

[MADMAX]

Good luck
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html

I did read through that one. I’m not sure where he hunted but it was a nice read. I’ve seen some massive 5 points in the area. Never been able to connect with anything larger than a 4 point.

I’ve been putting in for that tag as well
I’d dump a big ol 5pt if I got a poke on him
Give her hell bud
Good luck
Woods pretty much to yourself
Rut
What fun
Carry a cougar and bear tag too

[washingtonmuley]

I live in the area. Hit me up as season approaches and hopefully I can give you some updated info.

[hunter_sean08]

Got curious......looking up info.

---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.

---Hunt dates Sept.23-27

---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.

---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.

---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.

---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.

---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.

That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.

The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.

But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.

They put the Q on there exactly for companies such as Merrill & Ring and Rayonier. Merrill and Ring has a draw style permit system of their own for the ability to hunt elk on the Pysht Tree Farm. It is extremely difficult to draw and not cheap to even have your name in the hat.

Rayonier of course has their own pay to play permit system and their land covers large portions of the Dickey and Goodman units, as well as smaller portions in the other units. Their general access permit was affordable all things considered. Unfortunately, they’re in the process of selling all their land out there and so they are not offering permits at this time, which makes things a little interesting.

If you know the Clearwater well enough, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to it. The Sol Duc is very similar in the sense that it has a lot of public land slapped up against the park. Just like the Clearwater, it gets steeper and deeper the further in you go. I would say the Clearwater offers some better opportunities to hunt managed timberland in the lower reaches of the unit.

Good luck. Hunting the Olympic Peninsula for elk is a beautiful experience in its own way even if you don’t fill the tag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nwhunter]

If you know the Clearwater I’d stick to that because there’s just as good of bulls there as anywhere.. It’s a short hunt and it goes quick so especially if your solo just focus on those good areas you know.. it’s prime time those dates but the elk have been hunted hard everywhere from bow season and will be quieter than you’d expect and can be tough to find.. I’d definitely try and get some help to cover more ground and up your chances of finding a good bull in that jungle.. It’s tougher than a guy thinks and I know several of those tags that haven’t been filled over the years.. Congrats and good luck

[NrthwstHuntr]

If you know the Clearwater I’d stick to that because there’s just as good of bulls there as anywhere.. It’s a short hunt and it goes quick so especially if your solo just focus on those good areas you know.. it’s prime time those dates but the elk have been hunted hard everywhere from bow season and will be quieter than you’d expect and can be tough to find.. I’d definitely try and get some help to cover more ground and up your chances of finding a good bull in that jungle.. It’s tougher than a guy thinks and I know several of those tags that haven’t been filled over the years.. Congrats and good luck

Yeah for sure and I do plan to hunt there. My concern is that if it’s dead and it can be dead I’ll need to move somewhere.

I’ve hunted the Dickey and Goodman units in the past and I’m  not planning to hunt those at all. So that leaves the Sol Duc.

One of the things I like about the Sol Duc is its accessibility for scouting. I’ll be in that general area a couple times over the summer.

[280ackley]

Huge congrats on your tag.

Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22

@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.

Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!

[Falcon]

Huge congrats on your tag.

Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22

@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.

Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!

Hunt of a lifetime.    Shot this bull next to the park boundary on day 2.   

[blackdog]

Nothing but rag horns in the Sol Duc.

[Falcon]

Nothing but rag horns in the Sol Duc.

Stud Rosie 

[280ackley]

Huge congrats on your tag.

Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22

@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.

Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!

Hunt of a lifetime.    Shot this bull next to the park boundary on day 2.

Awesome bull, thanks!

[NrthwstHuntr]

Nothing but rag horns in the Sol Duc.

Very cool. 

[NrthwstHuntr]

I live in the area. Hit me up as season approaches and hopefully I can give you some updated info.

 

[JimmyHoffa]

The bull mount at lake crescent lodge was from sol duc unit.  The western part across from the bar.  But that was a century ago.

[NrthwstHuntr]

WDFW changed my permit to 2045 Quinault