New elk hunter in need of some help!

[Cootkiller]

I am new to elk hunting having served in the navy I didn't get much time to hunt for the last 10 years.  Now I'm done and ready to try and get one of those majestic beasts.  I have a hunt planned down in Ryderwood GMU 530 and was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction.  I went down bear hunting/ elk scouting in Aug.  I found some sign but really couldn't make it around the unit in only 3 days.  I have never killed an elk, but plan on spending the majority of the time out of the truck putting some miles on the old Danners.  Any help would be appreciated, I have seen a lot of first post by people trying to get the "Spot", I am just looking for a nudge, no reason to give away your honey hole I expect to earn it just like you did.  Thanks a lot and good luck this season.

[NWBREW]

I have never hunted down there so I am of no help. Just wanted to say thank you for the service to our great nation.

Welcome to the site.

[pendoreilleadventures]

I too have never hunted there but your best bet is to get on Google earth scout it out that way look for a good spot away from the roads and start hiking the best way to find game is to get out in the woods. you have a few weeks before elk season get your deer tag and do some in season scouting for elk.  Good Luck!!!

[Cootkiller]

I served active duty for 10 years and now am serving as a GS working for the Navy so my service continues.  I really like my job and appreciate the sailors for what they do.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I dont hunt there myself, but my neighbors all say "Boistfort"
So I suggest taking HWY 6 west to the Curtis-Boistfort Road, drive south, and get off the pavement, find a gate or (hopefully) some sign, and hunt.

[elkhuntindad]

best of luck and be safe

[blackveltbowhunter]

Most of the unit will be gated off of the main rd with the exception of the 600 rd off wildwood which is usually open to drive thru and will drop you over towards the stella unit. There is alot of private timberland and state land but it is very scattered, finding elk shouldn't be to hard. I have usually hunted out boistfort valley toward ryderwood plenty of gated rds out there. You can also try to gain permission to hunt private ground in the valley.

[bankwalker]

I dont hunt there myself, but my neighbors all say "Boistfort"
So I suggest taking HWY 6 west to the Curtis-Boistfort Road, drive south, and get off the pavement, find a gate or (hopefully) some sign, and hunt.

same info i got. and thats where im gonna be searching for elk come opening day.

[dreamunelk]

Call the region 5 office.  Tell them just what you said here.  They will give some pointers.

[Nimrod]

Hunt up by thnq cell tower there our bulls there but if u have been doing your scouting i would just go were u have been seeing bulls and be there first evern if it's a 330 i'n the morning show... Don't recommend driving the truck into the middle of the clear cut i'n the dark if possible block rd tell day light any true hunter will understand that if they pull up behind u... Glass reprod morning and evening and hit the brush i'n between good luck

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

if possible block rd

any true hunter will understand that if they pull up behind u...

WTF

[washelkhntr]

if possible block rd tell day light any true hunter will understand that if they pull up behind u...

Smart move,    let us all know how that works out for you if and when you ever do that.  That has to be the worst piece of advice to give a new hunter, or an old one.

If anyone blocks a road that I can legally go down... I will get around one way or the other.  

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

if possible block rd tell day light any true hunter will understand that if they pull up behind u...

Smart move,    let us all know how that works out for you if and when you ever do that.

I anyone blocks a road that I can legally go down... I will get around one way or the other.  

I would either go around, or lay on my horn until they moved, roads are for driving on, if you want to hunt, park it, and get out and walk.
 

[bobcat]

I read that and thought he HAD to be kidding, no?   

[Nimrod]

Dude a dead end rd was ment to be blocked tell day light anyone  who want to drive into a clear cut at night and spook all the game out is a retard... And if unhide ever hunted around here u would no this 1 percent I'd the people actually hunt the rest drive into clear cuts i'n the dark park there truck leaving it runnin then get out when it's light and complain that there is no elk around.... Ppl that want to shoot elk will be gladly to wait and drive i'n at the same time...

[bobcat]

Dude a dead end rd was ment to be blocked tell day light anyone  who want to drive into a clear cut at night and spook all the game out is a retard... And if unhide ever hunted around here u would no this 1 percent I'd the people actually hunt the rest drive into clear cuts i'n the dark park there truck leaving it runnin then get out when it's light and complain that there is no elk around.... Ppl that want to shoot elk will be gladly to wait and drive i'n at the same time...

I guess I could see that if you're talking about a short, dead end road. You didn't say that the first time. But why not just park and walk in?

[Nimrod]

Well i didn't mean a main rd...  That's my bad for not clarifying that..... But honestly ppl should respect the first come first serve method i know when i see i rig parked i give them there space

[Grizzly95]

No bueno por caca....

[Cootkiller]

I appreciate all the replys, and no I will not be blocking any roads.  The regulations in Washington are hard enough, let alone with people blocking access.  Has anyone had any experience in the southend of Ryderwood?  I hunted bear south of beaver creek road which was a flop, no sign be it elk or bear, and thick thick woods.  I then switched my focus north of the road and found some areas up there quite a ways that had some sign.  We have our camp site picked out already and am hoping to get a few additional days of scouting before the season.

[NWBREW]

Nimrod, I have a hard time reading your post and understanding what the heck your talking about but blocking a road...even if it is a dead end is complete B.S.. Any TRUE hunter would know THAT. It takes a true retard to block a road.... ...and I know there are a lot out there.

Park down below and get your butt out of the truck and hike in. That's good advise.  Good luck to you coot.

[CAMPMEAT]

Do people ever use spell check? I can't hardly understand what they're trying to communicate......

[Bean Counter]

Do people ever use spell check? I can't hardly understand what they're trying to communicate......

 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Nimrod, I have a hard time reading your post and understanding what the heck your talking about but blocking a road...even if it is a dead end is complete B.S.. Any TRUE hunter would know THAT. It takes a true retard to block a road.... ...and I know there are a lot out there.

Park down below and get your butt out of the truck and hike in. That's good advise.  Good luck to you coot.

+1, any "true" hunter does not drive into his hunting area, but parks and walks in.
Blocking roads to prevent others from accessing an area is in violation of
WAC 332-52-410
Traffic rules.
(1)
 (ii) Obstruct or hinder the flow of traffic on any road.
And

WAC 332-52-415
Parking.
(1)
 (i) Blocks or impedes the passage of normal traffic or commercial activity.
 (ii) Blocks, interferes with or obstructs a gate, road, trail, path or other access.

 (3) If a vehicle is found parked in violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section, may the vehicle be towed? Yes. Any motorized vehicle found parked in violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section may be impounded by the department at the owner's or operator's expense.

     (4) If an infraction is issued under this section, who is responsible for the infraction? In any infraction involving a violation of this section, proof that the particular vehicle described in the notice of infraction was parking in violation of any such provision of this section, together with proof that the person named in the notice of infraction was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, shall constitute a prima facie presumption to prove that the registered owner of the vehicle was the person who parked the vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred.

     (5) Any violation of this section is a traffic infraction under chapter 46.63 RCW.

[bankwalker]

Well i didn't mean a main rd...  That's my bad for not clarifying that..... But honestly ppl should respect the first come first serve method i know when i see i rig parked i give them there space

nothing pisses me off more then someone who drives around you on a dead end road when you obviously have the spot. im talking about those little spur roads that go into the middle of a clear cut.

people are pricks and have no respect

[Stomper]

Maybe people should'nt drink and type? Hell I proof read all my post before posting! That way I don't look like a NIMROD!!!

[dreamunelk]

DO NOT BLOCK ROADS!  it is illegal and just plain ignorant.  Read the rules!  Weyerhaeuser specifically states the this is not allowed.  Just one more reason for landowners to limit access.  So if think this acceptable then thanks for giving them another reason for locking us out.  It is really said that the number one reason we are losing access to private property is poor hunter behavior.

[bankwalker]

blocking roads is wrong. but when you are at a shot dead end road in the middle of a clear cut, and you are obviously hunting the spot. it is a *censored* move to go around a person and ruin their hunt.

for those of you who think that is ok, you must be some of the pricks who do that type of hunting.

there is plenty of woods to hunt,

i dealt with this type of stuff all day today. not cool at all

[seth30]

Its a shame that a fellow hunter would do that.

[Wild Bill]

Or you could forget the damn clearcuts all together... Simple rule... Wanna see elk? go to a clearcut.... Wanna kill elk? get in the timber...
There aint a clear cut around that wont be poked with a ton of ignorant white trash ... If you shoot something in a cut, just be ready to fight for it...

[Woodja]

 

[racksandtails]

Coot,

I don't wish to burst your bubble, but Ryderwood can be very disappointing for a rifle elk hunter.  There will be people at every turn and it's a brushy hell hole at best.  The positive is that there are elk around, I have watched elk numerous times in clearcuts during legal hunting hours that go unnoticed because all of the lazy corndog eaters won't get out of their trucks and walk fifty feet to look over an edge.  If you hunt the Monohan Creek drainage hard enough you will find them.  Might not see them, but you will find them.

Good Luck and thank you for your service.

[RC3]

There will be people all over and a brushy hell hole at best.......thats funny........

That pretty much sums up rifle elk hunting on the west side everywhere I know of!

Not complaining just saying.

[Jdc]

Coot,

I don't wish to burst your bubble, but Ryderwood can be very disappointing for a rifle elk hunter.  There will be people at every turn and it's a brushy hell hole at best.  The positive is that there are elk around, I have watched elk numerous times in clearcuts during legal hunting hours that go unnoticed because all of the lazy corndog eaters won't get out of their trucks and walk fifty feet to look over an edge.  If you hunt the Monohan Creek drainage hard enough you will find them.  Might not see them, but you will find them.

Good Luck and thank you for your service.

What do you have against corndogs?   

[Cootkiller]

anyone know if the timber companies allow camping during the modern season?

[bobcat]

They don't allow camping anytime, that I know of. Although I often see people camped on Weyerhaeuser property and wonder how they get away with it. Just saw some the other day on Brooklyn Road. Figure they must be Weyerhaeuser employees, otherwise they surely wouldn't be that blatant about it. After all, Weyerhaeuser does have their own security people who drive around and enforce the rules during hunting season.

[Cootkiller]

That is good to know, I would hate to setup camp just to tear it down.  where does everyone camp, or do they hotel it?

[bobcat]

You can camp on state land if there is any in the area.