Washington guided cow elk hunts?

[SirWalt]

Fidelk, much appreciated. That outfitter link is useful. It's not always easy to find these things with a google search. Also, check out Ellis Hunting Ranch's Instagram page. Lots and lots of recent pictures/video with some pretty nice bulls.

[SirWalt]

Dan-o and Jackelope, I appreciate the warnings. I've read a couple of these stories. It's pretty unfortunate. I didn't know how bad it could be. Off hand, are there any western Washington outfitters that you DO like?

[Fidelk]

SW, if you want to horrify yourself.....read the Olympic Mountain Outfitters thread....on this sub-forum.

[jackelope]

Dan-o and Jackelope, I appreciate the warnings. I've read a couple of these stories. It's pretty unfortunate. I didn't know how bad it could be. Off hand, are there any western Washington outfitters that you DO like?

I don't have any experiences with any outfitters in Washington besides Dale, and I didn't hunt with him. I just used him for his lunch during turkey season a few years back. I'd look hard at going to Idaho with his outfit if it was me. You can shoot bulls in a lot of the westside units, but the number of outfitters on this side is limited. There are definitely a few bad apples in that crowd. Also hunting on small patches of private ground close to highways seems to be a popular thing on this side of the mountains. Doesn't appeal to me at all, even if some of the outfitters haven't proven themselves to be terrible.

[boneaddict]

I would think the baiting rule change here in Washington will hamper many of their exploits.

[bearpaw]

Here's a list of outfitters who are members of the Washington Outfitters Association, I don't know them all but I know some of them run good operations. I don't know if any of them do cow hunts, but I would suggest contacting them to ask:  https://woga.org/outfitters/

Western Life Outfitters is a member (mtncook) on this forum, he is a good guy:  mountaincook1@gmail.com

[jackelope]

I would think the baiting rule change here in Washington will hamper many of their exploits.

Good point I didn't think about.

[Gonehuntin01]

My buddy guides for Ellis ranch in Oregon.  They do Cow depredation hunts every year, as well as bull and buck hunts.  They would be a good resource to look into.

[Fidelk]

My buddy guides for Ellis ranch in Oregon.  They do Cow depredation hunts every year, as well as bull and buck hunts.  They would be a good resource to look into.

Having a landowner depredation hunt tag is pretty much golden. Are these hunts conducted mostly on open cattle grazing lands and could you ask your buddy at what range most shots are taken?

[SirWalt]

Man, so much good information. And thanks for another useful link, bearpaw.

[SirWalt]

I feel pretty good about Ellis Ranch. Especially after talking on the phone with him. Some of those others from the ultimate elk hunting link look good as well, just pretty far away for me. Gonna have a peek at the link bearpaw sent as well.

[grade-creek-rd]

Its a few extra hours drive, but your best bet would be Montana...and they have a 5 week rifle season and cow elk B tags (some units are unlimited tags which means you can buy one over the counter when you get there, some are draw only but have good draw odds) and really good success rates for the DIY hunter, as well as some "guided" (usually ranch access fees) which are almost guaranteed meat...plus the NR elk B tags are $200 and the licenses are $25...fyi.

Grade

[jstone]

You would love Montana

[Fidelk]

Its a few extra hours drive, but your best bet would be Montana...and they have a 5 week rifle season and cow elk B tags (some units are unlimited tags which means you can buy one over the counter when you get there, some are draw only but have good draw odds) and really good success rates for the DIY hunter, as well as some "guided" (usually ranch access fees) which are almost guaranteed meat...plus the NR elk B tags are $200 and the licenses are $25...fyi.

Grade

That's a really good recommendation.

[nwwanderer]

Some any elk OTC areas exist in WA.  Do your home work. Make contacts and get it done!!