Spokane area

[Wile E. Hunter]

I've been spending the BIG $$$ the last couple of years to chase elk in ID. Is there any decent elk hunting within a reasonable distance from Spokane? Are the Blues the direction to head? 49 degrees? Willing to WORK, but just don't have an area to target... No, not trying to get someone to give up their spot, I know that's not gonna happen. Just want an "area"? Would appreciate some input, if I can get it.....

Thanks in advance.
P.S. Bow, or rifle would be my pref, but also have muzzleloader....

[bow4elk]

I'd call the WDFW regional biologist for those areas and go from there.  Have maps, study them, and ask about specific drainages, etc.  You'll get more info from them if you get specific about areas.  Start big and work inward.  I'm not an expert on that side of the state for elk since most of the areas I grew up hunting are permit only now, and are highly coveted tags.

[Wile E. Hunter]

Took your advice, and called the region 1 headquarters. The woman that answered baffled me with a bunch of silliness, and directed me to go to the bighorn show, and talk to a biologist there.... Mildly disappointing.

[Grizzly95]

PM sent.

[nwhunter]

You gotta decide whether you want to hunt spikes or branched bulls and that will decide your area for you. Blues is drawing for branched or spike only or hunt up around Spokane area and north it can be any bull. Your asking a big question and this might help narrow it down for starters.

[Wile E. Hunter]

Any bull. I guess that does narrow it some. Any further pointers? Leaning toward archery.

[starr]

inland paper co land

they are there but there is alot of land ot cover. and it cost $ for a permit to hunt on it. definately do archery though i tried rifle there last year and hunters were so thick they were sitting in the middle of the road.

[Jburke]

IEP land will give you the most room to roam.  They have thousands of acres north of Spokane.  The permit is cheap, 25 for a year I think.  They have land scattered all the way to Canada.  Or you can try the forest service lands around chewelah or colville. Lots of public land up there but it's THICK!  Any bull or any elk, depending on exactly which of the units north of Spokane.

[Wile E. Hunter]

Sounds like good advice. I'm thinking It'll definitely be an Archery hunt. Chewelah area's looking good..... Maybe a little more South toward home, though.

[coriantonk]

Great Info guys, Thanks.  I may be looking for new hunting grounds myself soon. 

[loaderboy]

ive seen quite a few elk between deer lake and boyer mountain. It is all gated as far as I know. A few years ago when you could drive to the top of boyer I would see elk all the time. A couple buddys of mine hunt that area on horseback and average a elk every other year. Ive heard of being able to ride mountain bikes from the top of boyer down that drainage to deer lake but I dont know the exact road that takes you down. Its a beautiful area and you got all year to scout. good luck