Where Do you hunt elk in WA and OR? The West Or the East? Explain why!!!

[Ron Howard]

Do you hunt the East or West?

[trophyhunt]

Only reason I put in for the east is to get one trophy tag in my life, after I draw I will never put in for the east again.  I wasted years of elk hunting on the east side looking for spikes because I didn't draw a damn permit, when I could be hunting the west side for 3 point or better bulls every year. I have done very well on the west side in my hunting life, but just want a chance at one of those majestic blue's bulls.

[JimmyHoffa]

I hunt west side because:  it's close--scouting is easy, doesn't cost much in travel, can gather lots of intel at weird random times; lots of animals--with all the national forest and national park, there are a lot of animals; I prefer the setting--I'm more into sneaking around a coastal rainforest than open grasslands.  If I could get a tag for both, I would.
Edit:  I also like being able to pursue bulls (mature animals).  I'm not really keen on purchasing a tag and only being allowed a spike or a cow.  I'd rather risk not getting a bull, than having better odds at a spike.

[krout81]

I hunt the west because I live on the west, and my dad hunts on the west.  I have branched out over several units on the west and have always had very good luck.  There is something about being 10 yards from an elk and not being able to see them haha.  Plus I see deer every year while I am hunting, and my biggest buck was on the same trail that I had been chasing some elk.  Reading many of the posts on this site has confirmed that I will never apply for or hunt the east unless they close the west.  PS I archery hunt

[bucklucky]

I will hunt either side, I just enjoy elk hunting that much .Even hunted spikes for a year just so the wife could experiance calling in BIG bulls on her own and she did. Called in a Heavy Horned 350 bull. So hunting spikes was worth it that year.  I killed my big Rocky a few years back so now I am working on the BIG Roosie. I'll be hunting both sides this year , west for me and east for the wife. She has 13 points and will hopefully draw (fingers crossed).

[norsepete]

I hunt the 346 for spikes while I try for the Naches A tag.

[saylean]

Eastern.

Its nice weather, its not as brushy, and although its a spike only unit, I always see elk and have seen 3 cats in the last 3 years there. Plus, that is where my family goes, so Im there.

[phishisgroovin]

i usually hunt east side because thats where my family is all hunting.

may save my washington hunting money and just head to montana this year though.

[sled]

  I hunt eastside.  I hunt for the meat, I hate hunting in the rain, and with 9 points I know I will draw my any Elk tag soon!

[Alan K]

West side.  Not many places you can hunt Roosevelt elk, and you can hunt the Rocky Mountain elk in just about every western state.

[Ghost Hunter]

West, because that's where I live and got introduced to elk hunting.  If I pull a multi-season, I will be trying for a east side tag.  I will continue to apply for out of state hunts.  Wyoming last year and this year  

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I grew up hunting West, but due to fire danger closures, switched to East, and being able to see Elk without all the brush in the way kept me coming back.
Then the "spike only" regulations came.......
I continued to hunt East, enjoying the camaraderie of camp, and the pleasant weather.
Began seeing more Branched antlered Bulls, and less hunters, so I stayed. (even got drawn 3 times)
But having more years w/o being drawn and spikes becoming harder to find (almost all bulls I could find were branched)
Also Deer became 3 pt or better ONLY, hunting that area became more of an exploring trip than a hunting trip, would find elk every year, but sometimes would hunt 3-4 days without seeing any.
When I only really get to hunt a short time every year, I decided to come back to West-side.
I have found the Bulls to be smaller, but at least they are legal.
I now get into Elk every day, but instead of herds of 15-20+ I see a lot of lone bulls, single cows with calves, and herds of 8-12, I feel I have a better opportunity to harvest a legal animal, so I will continue to hunt this side, until I get enough points to fell I have a chance of getting drawn for an East side permit again, but after a few more years of learning my new area I might change my mind about that....

[blacktail luv]

I hunt the west because that is what I have grown up hunting.  My roots are here and I couldn't imagine elk hunting and only being able to shoot spikes.  I will continue to build my points up and in ten more years draw the multi-season and try to burn my points on one of the eastside tags.

[carpsniperg2]

Both With the right tag that is

[dscubame]

I go to the Blues because there are so many elk.