Elk Area 3911

[Skinnyman]

Has any Master Hunters out there hunted Elk Area 3911 before? Thoughts, ideas, tips, etc?? I am planning on trying it this year, any help would be great!!

[Bob33]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/masterhunter/special_hunts/elk_area-3911.html

[luvtohnt]

It sucks now. I used to hunt just the edges to make sure I would move the elk off of the farmers property. Never have harvested anything but the elk only come down to the fields at night. For the last 2 years the big herd that usually frequents my buddies place on Colockum rd have hung to a piece of land locked state land. The piece of state land is just outside the 3911 boundary. As far as the hunt goes I think it is working as intended to reduce the damage by elk. However the opportunities are getting less by the year and we may see a reversal soon as the hunters give up on it. There is one place that would be a sure thing but I refuse to hunt there because it is land owned by a timber company and the elk don't do any damage will they are trying to survive the winter. Without that little bit of vital habitat, or pressure removing them from that habitat the mortality would probably climb some.  If you have any more questions you can PM me and we can talk.

Brandon

[WSU]

I have.  Not my thing at all.  It might be good if you have a private place to hunt, but even then it is a hit-and-miss proposition.  Basically, the elk know the drill.  You mostly are trying to catch them inside the area, at least in a lot of places.  The usually come down to feed at night and are gone prior to shooting time.  All that said, if you put in the time you will kill elk.  One idea I had this year was to go up during the Clockum modern season.  I went to check it out this year (not hunting).  Seems like there are elk running in every direction, and one of those cows is going to run below the boundary.  Again, not my deal, but you can kill elk.

[Bob33]

luvtohnt's assessment of the Colockum area is correct.  The elk in the eastern portion of 3911 have become well educated.  Even on private land, the elk have become more wary.  Hunters have for the most part become scare crows, keeping elk away by their presence.  Elk are killed every year: between 100 and 150 typically.  

The western portion of 3911 near Cle Elum has less hunting pressure.  Gaining land access is difficult, but if you can get access the hunting can be good.

[Skinnyman]

Thanks guys, I have read all of the stuff that WDFW has posted. But it is never like boots on the ground information.

Jury is still out if I will try it or not. My only thought was to get the master hunter 2nd tag to try for that area (august through Oct), but do a real hunt during the regular season.  But I dont know if the herd will even be in the area at that time.

Thanks!!

[WSU]

There are definitely elk in the area throughout the season.

[Bob33]

Jury is still out if I will try it or not. My only thought was to get the master hunter 2nd tag to try for that area (august through Oct), but do a real hunt during the regular season. Thanks!!

You don't need a 2nd tag to hunt August 1 - October 31.  You can use your primary tag.  If you harvest an elk you're done for the year, but if you don't you can use it during the regular season.

[Skyvalhunter]

Its a better area if you have permission to cross into American Forest property. That is if they don't build that solar plant up there like they are proposing on Cle Elm Ridge

[Skinnyman]

Jury is still out if I will try it or not. My only thought was to get the master hunter 2nd tag to try for that area (august through Oct), but do a real hunt during the regular season. Thanks!!

You don't need a 2nd tag to hunt August 1 - October 31.  You can use your primary tag.  If you harvest an elk you're done for the year, but if you don't you can use it during the regular season.

That was true last year, but as it would have it, the regs changed this year. To hunt August 1 to Oct 29 you must do it on your 2nd tag. Your primary tag is only good From November 8 to December 31 (used to be open until January 20th).

[Bob33]

You can hunt August 1 with your primary tag.  The regs are confusing (on purpose?).  Dave Ware answered an email on that very question: "Actually, a Master Hunter can use his or her first tag in the Aug 1 to Oct 29 timeframe, but if they chose to buy a second tag, it is for the 3911 hunt only (during the Aug 1 to Oct 29 timeframe).  So if they want to try to kill two elk in a year, they should purchase the second tag up front. "

I asked, because my initial reaction was exactly the same as yours: you can hunt August 1 only with a second tag.   

[Skinnyman]

I LOVE our regs!!!! Can they make it any more confusing!!! I wonder if any of the wardens are confused, and could cite based on the wrong interpretation (such as the one I had about the 2nd tag).

What you mentioned Bob33, is the way it has been in years past. They did add last year, after regs were out, that you can only harvest 1 elk (even though you have a 2nd tag) from area 3911.

[Bob33]

The enforcement officers in Region 3 have been made aware of the clarification.  You can only kill one elk in 3911 again this year. However, if you use your second tag in 3911 you could still use your primary tag elsewhere.