Wanting to Learn

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The Wetside is pretty big. If you narrow it up a bit someone probably be able to help ya out a bit more.Westside general is way to many orange pumpkin suits runnin around that why I switched to a stick and string about 10 years ago.If you know any bowhunters I would beg and plead to follow them around in September, you will learn some country and get to have the experience of being in the woods during the rut.

Thats an Idea... got a pack and a good pair of boots ?......

[AndyCAK]

Thank you all for your responses to this thread.  I definitely don't consider myself a trophy hunter.  I just genuinely enjoy the outdoors and love game meat.  I will definitely be applying for some antlerless permits in addition to starting to accumulate Quality Elk Points.  I've never considered bow or muzzleloading but suppose that might be a good option on the west side.

I do appreciate the point about being careful in selecting a hunting companion.  I'm just eager to learn from those willing to teach.  I figure getting out there and pounding some earth will be the best way to do that.

Thanks again all!

[PlateauNDN]

your 2nd paragraph just summed it all up.  Figure out where you would like to go and study the area by driving to it and walking it.  Take maps of the area so you can cross off where you have been already, where you seen what animals and learn by sight and sound.  As for using your rifle properly find somebody trustworthy and very knowledgable about the workings of a firearm.  Glad you left the other group in the rearview. 

[OlympicElkJunkie]

You're off to a great start if last year was your first hunt. Congratulations on your first deer and on doing it ethically, despite the jokers you were with. On the west side you'll be taking on the elusive blacktail so aside from beginners luck you'll need to moderate your expectations because a 4pt over here is a darn good deer. One thing that should be evident by browsing this site is that most of the success you see posted in the fall was due to a lot of work done all off season. If you want to figure this out then that is where it all really happens. That's how you find the animals, that's how you get yourself back into the spots you want to be, and that's how you make the shot that presents itself so precious few times. There are deer and elk all over western Washington and you can learn all the techniques you'll need to get them in range when the season arrives by reading some good books, articles, and watching some decent videos. Basic tactics are pretty true across the board and are based on avoiding the prey's strengths and exploiting their few weaknesses. You'll adapt your approach slightly based on your abilities, objectives, and hunt areas. For west side elk I like the Angry Spike and Born and Raised Outdoors videos.
I'll be out scouting elk all summer so if you want to come along then send a message.

[bass2elk]

A lot of good advice here, but clearly you didnt get the answer you were loooking for.  I doubted that you would even with the goood folks on this site.  That being said i dont hunt the westside but you are more than welcome to come along on a hunt with me in GMU 113 as i know where they are or at least where they travel.  If you continue to watch this thread people will scorn the fact that i even said which GMU, even though its a huge unit.  P.S. if you can't make it one tip would be dont be a road hunter, you will see more game and less people.

[vaz,,66]

You and me pretty much on the same page here , i started my first post with the same reason not long ago
and let me tell i was not disappointed . Guys on this forum THE BEST you'll see some one will help you i have no doubts . Go threw all elk hunting posts here read them and you'll get priceless info. what i found that most of info out there based on the hunting tectonics from the big states like Montana , Colorado , nothing wrong with that just our state is a little bet different ( on the West side) Ive watch many DVDs about elk hunting when guys harvest huge bulls like Primos team , but when they ( primos ) came hunt elk over here they ended up with a four point bull and they said  so far that was one of the most difficult hunt ever , that hunt was guided , don't get me wrong i would love to get that four point  bull every year what I'm trying to say that the WA is different .
What i would recommend don't waste your time just like i did , first three years of my hunting i spend with a rifle then i decided to go out on archery season, since then i never get back to a rifle .