Western Wa elk hunting and scouting questions

[bowhunterty]

Just wondering if i may have ran into you down that way. Hunt the RAndle, Packwood, Lewis River units for the last 10 years down there. All i do is bowhunt. You shot an incredible bull.  I missed a 320 bull a couple years ago.  I've killed a 4x5 in 2004.  Had my far chances. In more bulls of that caliber still around.  Most of  my hunting is away from the road about three miles in. When I'm spent i hunt the 99road, that and everybody is usually gone. Plus its open for cows. I prefer the Packwood unit because its three pt. or better.

[Little Fish]

clhutner,
I don't know the Winston unit that well, but its my impression that there are only a few major access points so people have to enter at the same point and spread out after hiking in. This seems to be the norm with most west side hunts.

With respect to scouting (and this is specific to timber company land) the elk can be anywhere. The areas I know best are the ones I've hunted for a number of years. I mentally or with a map keep track of where I've seen elk over the years and although they may not be in the exact same location from year to year I've found they tend to stick around the same general area. Because the elk can be anywhere I usually just try to find areas that look like they should hold elk....for example small clearcuts that are surrounded by timber and are out of the way (at the end of a dead end for example). One thing that I've found helpful is to scout when the gates are open and you can drive in. It's way easier to check out 10 potential spots in your truck during the off season than to hike in 5+ miles without really know what the terrain looks like. Usually when I find what looks to be a good area I jump out of the truck and do some hiking to see if elk are using the area. Come elk season the areas I've already checked out are targets for the season.

Now a couple caveats to the above....I've only been chasing elk a few years and have yet to be successful so clearly I'm still learning myself. I've seen a lots of elk though and have had a few close encounters so hopefully I will connect sometime in the next season or two.

[clhutner]

Thanks very much for the info.  That is defintely an idea of what I was looking for, thanks very much for your time.  Hopefully I can put it to good use.

[Broken Arrow]

just my 2 cents.....

but when your scouting, don't look for elk...they will not be in the same place as they are then....look for areas where you can see rut activity...old tree rubs, water, etc. we like to scout in the 4000' areas....long benches....as like many have said before elk are all over the place.....you get in 4 to 5 miles away from everyone else in hell holes that others would never dare to go...you will find bulls. Some say if the numbers don't show (harvest statistics) not to go to those areas....all i can say...is I applaud this thinking.....no elk to be seen in those 7% success rate areas....go see for your self.

[clhutner]

Since rubs were brought up--how much do you hunt around areas that rubs are found?  Do elk frequent those areas similar to whitetails or do they just make them passing through areas?  I saw some rubs last year and was not quite sure what to do in those areas. I was not sure if they mean that a bull hangs aroud that area or if they just passed through the area?...

[edmondshunter]

Elk tend to roam a larger area then deer. 5-7 mile area for elk vs. 1-2 mile for deer. Having said that, elk and deer both tend to travel the same routes year to year.  Rubs are made for a multitude of reason, removing velvet and or antlers, a show of presence, marking territory, etc. Depending on the time of year and if the rut is on, I wouldn't hesitate to check the area rubs were found in. 
 

[Hornseeker]

Dang Polar... I dont remember hearing about your 350 bull...that is awesome! Congrats on a top end Washington bull...

CL...you have got lots of good advice...

[clhutner]

Yes it is GREAT advice.  I also just learned that I should be able to be hunting with my brother in law next season.  I wasnt sure if I was going to get a chance to go with him, but this weekend we were talking and it sounds like it is going to work out.  I am pretty excited about that ; he is pretty a pretty smart hunter and a great kid. I hope I can learn from him as well as from this advice on here. Thanks all and if there is any more keep it coming this is great stuff.