Put in for permits but don't hunt general season?

[Jamieb]

Any of you guys put in for special hunts and not hunt elk at all if not drawn.
I started hunting elk when I was 14, I'm 40, I've killed 21 bulls in that time and been along on a lot of my partners successful hunts.
Over the years, at least for me, elk hunting has changed a lot.
In the mid 80's to early 90's I hunted Clearwater, there was elk all over the place but the herd numbers declined fast as the number of hunters in the area went up, the Indians really hit the area hard, and logging slowed. After around 2000 or so along with the rest of my hunting party, I started hunting south west Grays harbor. Theres elk around and between the 4 of us that hunt together we get a raghorn or 2 almost every year.
The thing is I haven't really had fun hunting elk hunting in years, theres been moments but over all, with all the folks around and the small herds spooked before the season even starts it hasn't really been fun. I've been thinking about scouting for a new area but I'm guessing most of the state ( at least the west side) is going to be just about like where I've been hunting. I've been enjoying yote hunting more every year. Two of my hunting partners changed weapon/season choices this year so there was only two of us hunting together this year.
I'm kind of tossing the idea around of putting in for elk permits and if I don't draw a permit, not hunting elk at all that year.
I'm not about to give up hunting, just general elk.

[jackelope]

I've been putting in for elk permits for 5 years now. I've only actually hunted 1 year and that was with the bow. I would hunt more but I had to save time off for my deer tag this year and life got in the way last year. I don't mind. I think I'm more into deer hunting anyway. I plan to get more into bow elk next year.

[halflife65]

I get Huntin' Fool and just got Eastman's this year for the research part of it - been putting in for out of state hunts and building points.  It's a lot of money to shell out but you get the majority of it back when you don't draw.

If I do draw an out of state hunt, I won't even hunt WA unless I get a permit.

I like elk hunting but, for whatever reason, hunting big mulies is where it's at for me.

[hogsniper]

Im like halflife,  I put in for a few permits and have my main focus on Deer. I wont fight the crowds and this year was my first year of actually hunting elk in Washington and that was only because I drew a cow tag.     

[csaaphill]

I dunno I still love to hunt myself so I'd go even if not drawn.

[shedcrazy]

I,ve put in for elk for 5 years now, and i've hunted a grand total of three openers. 3 days total!! Come on branched tag

[Buckrub]

@jamieB

You sound like a candidate for bowhunting...two months of hunting....far less people.... better cooperation between hunters.
To top it all off...calling screaming bulls in is enough to turn ones skin inside out... it only takes one and you'll be hooked.

[coachcw]

every hunt can be what you make off it . there's so much to see in the woods , thats what draws me . I've drawn two bull permits and filled both in washington , but some of the better hunts have been cows and spikes . one thing for sure is I'm gonna start putting in for limited acess areas for archery elk since the genral bow hunters have really got call crazy and in 340 and 336 have got those bulls pretty f'd up come the first day of the season.

[Angus]

I've archery deer and elk hunted western Wa. since about 95, prior to that I hunted primarily eastern Wa (Manastash/Taneum/Nile). I haven't hunted there since it went to spike only and the last couple years I've really started to miss "the old stompin grounds" and want to go back over there. My only problem is with a wife and 3 kids now I just don't get much opportunity for overnight or multiple day trips.
Strongly considering buying EA tag and putting in for ANY BULL tags, if I get drawn I would burn some kitchen pass points and take a week or so to hunt, if I don't get drawn I'll eat the elk tag and earn some more kitchen pass points for next year.

[rbros]

I put in for special permits each year in Washington and generally don't hunt here unless I get drawn...which I haven't in years!

I to have taken 21 elk with a combo of archery and rifle.  I just don't enjoy the crowds of Washington hunting season.  There are alot of guys that have lost the "sportsmanship" part of hunting...you guys know the type I am refering to.  I generally hunt out of state and enjoy myself more.  Someday I am sure I won't be able to anymore, then I will just have to find a way to escape in Washington during the general season.

Its a weird thing to hunt in Idaho or Montana and see maybe one or two other guys in a 2 week period.  And those people will stop and BS or offer you a ride back to the truck instead of running you off the road.  Alot of guys say Archery is less crowded...it is, but nothing like it used to be.  When I first started bowhunting, I could hunt the whole month of Sept. and hardly even see a person.  Not the case these days, definitely less pressure than modern, but not by much.

Don't get me wrong, I love to hunt, enjoy the hunting camps....but the environment locally has changed and I find myself and others traveling to other states.  Just my 

[gottatree]

Wow, I have been putting in for permits and not Elk hunting for the last 8 years. I also hunted the clearwater at the same time. My family hunted it since the 40's. I watched the big herds get smaller, there was nothing like watching the large herds up there in October. We had a ton of success in the clearwater unit. I think our best year was in 87 man those were good times.

[Jamieb]

Got a lot of time until next season to decide what I want to do.
I've gotten spoiled hunting out of state, especially SE Alaska but I cant afford that every year.
Maybe I will dig out the bow and try to learn to bugle.

[ridgefire]

i have not hunted elk in wa since i got drawn five years ago, i buys my tags for the points but hunt idaho where i see alot more elk and can shoot anything. hopefully i can continue to do this till i draw a premium archery tag here in wa. i am planning on doing a late archery elk hunt this year though, hoping to get some meat for the freezer.

[BAR C3]

I do the same as some others have stated. I hunt Montana or Idaho unless I draw in Washington. Now that Montana is going up considerably, I may have to re-think this. This state is also increasing tag fees. So after I draw my archery tag, I may just be done in Washington. Matter of fact, more reason to move to Montana. This state is ran by Libs and they are doing everything to screw the hunter. The lady who chairs the WDFW is a granola eater.

[elkspert]

I am with you Jamieb, We use to hunt the clearwater and matheny. Lots of fun and quite a few elk. A few years back there was quite a feasco up on the ridge and thats when I had enough. Started hunting out of state but still buy the tag here to get a point. Drew a westside tag in 06 for our old stomping grounds and killed a 290 bull. Just not even close to what it was anymore.