Elk hunt in Washington this fall?

[MikeJ]

I am new to the forum.  I live in California but interested in doing a late season hunt for elk.  Looking do hunt after November 7th or 8th with rifle.  I tried the Washington fish and game website and it looks like there might still be tags but I cannot find where you can see what is available (unless you have to give all your social and other info to get access to those details).

Any recommendations or info appreciated.  If you have any extra spots in your camp, I would love to join.

Thanks Mike

[Bob33]

Washington has "over the counter" tags for elk.  These are good in general seasons.  They also have hunts that are by permit only; the drawing for these is in May (already completed for 2009).

For elk you must specify (a) hunting implement: "modern firearm", muzzleloader, or archery, and (b) hunting area: Western Washington or Eastern Washington.  Thus there are six combinations of hunting method and area.

The regs break down hunt opportunity by hunt method and area.  "Modern Firearm" starts on page 36. 

The state is broken down into 138 Game Management Units (GMUs).  The regulations may vary by GMU, so you need to pay attention to that as well.

That should get you started.

[buckhorn2]

Most of the elk tags for the west side are over the counter and it;s a 3 point minumum except in the draw areas. The cow tags and permits are over but there are lots of places to hunt the west side with over the counter tags.

[bobcat]

Have you considered Oregon? They also have over the counter tags, at least for the westside.

[boneaddict]

Are you a Washington resident?  Otherwise you are going to be hammered cash wise for what is available.  That may or may not be an issue.

[MikeJ]

Thanks for replies you guys are great.  On the over the counter 3 point mimimum, so if I got that right there are tags available I just need to find the right units that fit the profile (rifle, time and not draw).

I have looked at Idaho as well but there is only one tag left in a zone that has rifle after Nov 7, which I might do, but heard that Washington is good as well (true?).

[MikeJ]

Not a Washington resident.  When you say hammered is that in the $400 - $600 range (which I would do) or is there some new double wammy coming?

[WDFW-SUX]

Almost all of western washington is OTC for rifle elk....I think there are 4 units that are on special draw.

I think its under 400 for a non resident elk tag..haven't looked lately

[Bob33]

"On the over the counter 3 point mimimum"

That depends entirely on where you hunt, and with what you hunt.  It's not 3 point minimum across the board.

[HUNT]

The Middle Fork Idaho tag you are looking at is right next to the units I hunt in.  We have had good success there.  I would call the Biologist for that region and ask about access that time of year.  There is a tag quota - so make sure they still have tags available.  I would look there as a first choice over Washington.  But thats just me.

[Bob33]

Non-res elk is $396.

[littlebuf]

and a non resident license should be more too

[bobcat]

I don't believe there is any separate charge for a "license." The elk tag is all he would need to purchase.

[littlebuf]

do i not pay attention when i buy my hunting license 

[Crunchy]

I believe you have to purchase the non-res hunting license and tag.  Or at least that is what Oregon charges me..

[Bob33]

In WA you purchase a big game hunting license/tag combination.  The combinations follow.  Non Residents pay 10 times more than residents.  (NOTE: these prices are quoted from the Big Game pamphlet; prices recently increased by 10% from these prices)

Deer+Elk+Cougar+Bear Res $72.60, (Non-Res $726.)
Deer+Elk Res $61.60.
Deer+Cougar+Bear Res $50.60
Elk+Cougar+Bear $50.60
Deer $39.60
Elk $39.60
Bear+Cougar $22.00