Method to finding the right GMU for me

[dylanthered]

I'm looking for advice on a process to find the best GMU for the type of hunting I am interested in.

For three years we elk hunted (modern firearm) the Naneum GMU and got two spikes in our little camp of three hunters.  There are definitely a ton of elk in that GMU but I'm not interested in dealing with the crowds of hunters.  I'm thinking that it's just too close to Seattle, Tacoma, Ellensburg, etc.

Here are some things that I'm looking for:

- very few hunters
- anywhere in Eastern WA
- can drive to base camp
- hunting for meat (antlers would just be a nice bonus)

I realize that it also probably means less elk in the area. 

I created a spreadsheet based on harvest reports to narrow down my results.  Then I started looking for areas in the GMU on the contour map that might be suitable for elk (vegetation, altitude, etc.).  Now I'm thinking that I've just got to go and start scouting to find sign.

Does that make sense so far?

However, I'll read posts that say there aren't much elk in the GMU I am targeting.  I'm torn on taking that as sage advice or ignoring it since I'm trying to find my special spot, away from the crowds, which then would probably not have many fans praising the virtues of said hunting grounds online.

[WDFW-SUX]

NE corner.

[ICEMAN]

I would argue that you just need to go look. All the numbers and photos and spread sheets arent going to really help you that much in my opinion. Find a gmu that has elk kill numbers....and go see.

[Mike_D]

Hi Dylanthered,

I agree with WDFW_SUX, the NE corner is probably the place to go (my 2nd recommendation would be blues or Okanogan).  There are Three wildcards (at least in my opinion) :

1.) Most everywhere drivable is going to have a good number of hunters in the area. My guess is somewhere in the range of 70-80% of hunters that I've seen are driving the roads...
2.) modern firearm season... hunters appear to come out of the woodwork during this time.  I'm trying my 1st season (last year doesn't count, I couldn't get in the field) at muzzleloading just to get away from the crowds.
3.) Elk herds... the NE corner has herds, but the info I got the biologists, is that there are approximately 300 head in the 113 area, divided into approximately 20 groups throughout the region.  I'm still investigating the 117 area also...

In regards to Iceman, the problem with Elk kill numbers play also into how many hunters are in a given area...

I've bumped elk in the off season, and I'm still scouting for my favorite honey hole as well.

Good hunting.

[dylanthered]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.  Follow-up questions/thoughts embedded:

I agree with WDFW_SUX, the NE corner is probably the place to go (my 2nd recommendation would be blues or Okanogan).  There are Three wildcards (at least in my opinion) :

... How did you go about determining that the NE corner was a target?  113 and 117 both had about 1100 or so hunters last year.  Do you find that to be crowded?  I wonder if I'm out of line looking at GMUs that have less than 100 hunters.

1.) Most everywhere drivable is going to have a good number of hunters in the area. My guess is somewhere in the range of 70-80% of hunters that I've seen are driving the roads...

... To clarify, I just want to set-up my wall tent by unloading it out of the truck; so I need a road for that.  I hike all day and return to camp in the evenings when I hunt.  Maybe to find what I am looking for I'm going to have to look into buying a couple ATVs.  Horses are not an option for me.

2.) modern firearm season... hunters appear to come out of the woodwork during this time.  I'm trying my 1st season (last year doesn't count, I couldn't get in the field) at muzzleloading just to get away from the crowds.

... Yeah, I've got my eye on muzzleloading some day too.

3.) Elk herds... the NE corner has herds, but the info I got the biologists, is that there are approximately 300 head in the 113 area, divided into approximately 20 groups throughout the region.  I'm still investigating the 117 area also...

... How did you get that info on the herds? Biologists?

In regards to Iceman, the problem with Elk kill numbers play also into how many hunters are in a given area...

... yeah, I'm realizing that the elk kill #'s aren't necessarily statistically significant.  So I'm thinking that it might just come down to scouting and some trial and error.  The more days in the field the better.

I've bumped elk in the off season, and I'm still scouting for my favorite honey hole as well.

Good hunting.

[270Shooter]

There isn't a single unit in WA that has elk in it that had less than 100 hunters in it during modern firearm season. Sorry thats just not going to happen. There are places in some of these units that many people will not go into, Like the William O Douglas Wilderness in the Bumping unit. Or the Goat Rocks in the the Rimrock unit.

I think if you want to get away from people but still have huntable numbers of elk, you need to get back into one of these wilderness areas.

[couesbitten]

I agree with 270, the key to getting away from the people is to put some miles between you and them, and the easiest way to do this is to use your feet.

My advice is to stay away from an ATV. When I lived in UT, my buddies and I went to southern AZ for a Coues deer hunt, and I bought one specifically for that trip and because all my buddies had one. It worked great for that trip, driving very overgrown roads through desert country. Shortly after that trip, I moved back to WA, and it just sat until I sold it a few years later. Problem was I just never rode the darn thing. Anywhere the ATV went, I could get my SUV, and anyone else could get to, which defeats my efforts and desire to be able to hunt unpressured animals in an area without numerous sightings of people.

Look into the wilderness areas and areas with "road closures", these are the areas where you will be able to put some distance between you and the masses and really anjoy your outdoor expereince. You can also ride a bicycle into the areas with road closures, making travel a little "easier".

[Mike_D]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.  Follow-up questions/thoughts embedded:

I agree with WDFW_SUX, the NE corner is probably the place to go (my 2nd recommendation would be blues or Okanogan).  There are Three wildcards (at least in my opinion) :

... How did you go about determining that the NE corner was a target?  113 and 117 both had about 1100 or so hunters last year.  Do you find that to be crowded?  I wonder if I'm out of line looking at GMUs that have less than 100 hunters.

1.) Most everywhere drivable is going to have a good number of hunters in the area. My guess is somewhere in the range of 70-80% of hunters that I've seen are driving the roads...

... To clarify, I just want to set-up my wall tent by unloading it out of the truck; so I need a road for that.  I hike all day and return to camp in the evenings when I hunt.  Maybe to find what I am looking for I'm going to have to look into buying a couple ATVs.  Horses are not an option for me.

2.) modern firearm season... hunters appear to come out of the woodwork during this time.  I'm trying my 1st season (last year doesn't count, I couldn't get in the field) at muzzleloading just to get away from the crowds.

... Yeah, I've got my eye on muzzleloading some day too.

3.) Elk herds... the NE corner has herds, but the info I got the biologists, is that there are approximately 300 head in the 113 area, divided into approximately 20 groups throughout the region.  I'm still investigating the 117 area also...

... How did you get that info on the herds? Biologists?

In regards to Iceman, the problem with Elk kill numbers play also into how many hunters are in a given area...

... yeah, I'm realizing that the elk kill #'s aren't necessarily statistically significant.  So I'm thinking that it might just come down to scouting and some trial and error.  The more days in the field the better.

I've bumped elk in the off season, and I'm still scouting for my favorite honey hole as well.

Good hunting.

So I agree with my counterparts... fewer hunters requires more hiking... (makes my back hurt just thinking about it)

to help you out a bit...

1.)  expect to be near people.. There are tons of areas near hunting on NF roads, which will put you where you need to be. (especially during modern firearm)

In regards to numbers.....let look at the prospects... GMU 113 and 1100 people... GMU 113 runs from newport to the border of canada, and approximately 25 miles in Width and approximately 50 miles long(maybe a little more.... so the area is approximately 1250 square miles.  so your talking a little less than 1 hunter for every square mile... and I know this is probably a terrible calculation, but if you figure 70% roadhunt, thats down to 770 hunters , the its almost (statistically 1 hunter in every 2 square miles... course,  you have a larger number on every road...so the roads will be crowded, but after leaving the roads (say 2 miles), odds are much less of seeing someone.

in regards to the biologists... I'm trying to remember...I thinK I saw the reference in a different forum (just a few weeks ago) and got in contact with them.  The Biologist for that area is Mr. Dana Base,  and he was incredibly helpful... (just try not to pin down exactly where the elk are... )

you can contact WDFW in email and specifically request to speak to them, and they'll forward your info on.  I got a response about 3 days after inquiring.

[Mike_D]

Ugh... I gotta figure out how to make the quote thing to work correctly... 

[tonymoe]

Low numbers of elk is not always a bad thing. You just have to work a little harder and you most likely will not see anyone else.

[Huntbear]

We camp close to where we want to hunt, then leave the trucks 2-3  hours before daylight, and hike in as much as 5 miles by flashlight, to get away from the other hunters, and we are usually successful in that.  Find an area with minimal roads, that produce decent numbers for elk, and then start scouting AWAY from the roads.  The local game biologist should be able to help you as well.

[jackelope]

Ugh... I gotta figure out how to make the quote thing to work correctly... 

make sure you click outside the [/quote] box before you start typing your response.

back on track now...

 

[zackmioli]

just pick a unit and go scout. i find it helpful to drive the roads first and mark on a map which roads you want to come back to do some foot exploring of the area, which are gated, which had sign, etc. then once you get a lay of the land by road, go back and start hiking, find some areas away from the roads. google earth is also a helpful tool to use for scouting.

i am currently in the process of scouting for elk and learning a new area by myself for the first time. just get out in the woods and go! being in the woods is always better than not being in the woods! good luck!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

[/There isn't a single unit in WA that has elk in it that had less than 100 hunters in it during modern firearm season. Sorry thats just not going to happen. There are places in some of these units that many people will not go into, Like the William O Douglas Wilderness in the Bumping unit. Or the Goat Rocks in the the Rimrock unit.

I think if you want to get away from people but still have huntable numbers of elk, you need to get back into one of these wilderness areasquote] Wilderness areas are your best option, camp in campground near a trailhead and hike yor a*s off!

[letmhunt]

hold on, you want to hike in 5 to 10 miles to hunt spike and cows? sound crazy to me! that would be a long pack out man! if you want a quality hunt you got to put in for draw only units.