Method to finding the right GMU for me

[SHANE(WA)]

if its just meat, i would be putting in for high draw odds for cow tags.NE corner isnt where its at for just meat, u could seriously hunt it for 10 yrs and never kill a elk.You can deffinatley hike away from crowds and people here

[dylanthered]

Where is here?

[mossback91]

Where is here?

by here he means the NE

[couesbitten]

I re-read your original post, and it sounds to me like you are looking for a quality hunt in regards to the "experience", not necessarily looking for a guaranteed kill. That is more in line with my way of thinking, beautiful country, low hunter numbers, fair chance of a kill if I work hard, and it's gonna be hard getting'em out, but it will all be worth it in the end.

If this is what you're looking for, then roadless, road closure, and wilderness areas are the way to go. You may have to pack your animal out 3 - 7 miles, but you won't be shooting a spike that is running with his tongue hanging out.

Good luck!

[dylanthered]

Yes!  That is a good way to describe what I'm looking for.  I want my odds to improve based on work and skill.  The crowded Naneum GMU I've been hunting seemed to be more about hoping a herd of terrified elk passed my way.  It's like a war zone out there.

What I'm concerned about now is going to a wilderness area only to find out that elk don't exist there at all.  It doesn't help to hike forever in stealth mode if there is really no chance of animals. 

[couesbitten]

Talk to the Bio's for those areas, that would be a good start. Second, most of the wilderness areas west of Yakima have decent numbers of elk, the Alpine Lakes has some, but I believe they are few, and in small pockets. I think that there are even a few running around in the Salmo Priest up in 113, but there are folks on here who could tell you way more about that area than I could. Good Luck