Quality elk hunt- Dayton

[Mr Mykiss]

You, my friend, are a true "Tri Cities Hunter". The sportsmen of sportsmen. Welcome to the site. Good luck on the hunt... it's a decent tag. 

What is that even supposed to mean and why do you say it to everyone?

[huntnnw]

 

[Ranger91298]

Go to a bar in town and chat it up with locals..they usually spill there guts on places they saw huge bulls

Heck I just might have to try that sometime... 

[toyman2]

That doesnt work here in Dayton. 

[Maximus4252626]

Not to discourage you with your tag draw, but....

I drew this tag last year. My family has property to hunt in 162 and 163. This is my 26th year hunting in the area. I am very well connected, due to family owning a substantial portion of the area. Your best bet is the National Forest, as there will be plenty of hunters pushing the elk. In September the elk move to the lower foot hills in 163. When the raffle tag holders, Archery tag holders, and Muzzle loader tag holders, move in; the elk head out of the national forest area and move down into 163 along the Tucannon river. Once the modern firearm deer season opens, the elk will move back to 162 and the national forest. The issue is land access. Assuming we drew the same tag, your best hunting is the national forest. The lower foothills of 162, which eventually change to 163 is where the majority of the elk are at (Big Bulls). There are 7 landowners, who own the vast majority of the property. They all work together to fill their tags and will not let anyone hunt their land outside of themselves. The 2 primary land owners are Kelly Allen (Attorney out of Spokane) and Wilbur Eaton (Farmer). Kelly is an *censored*, whom brings in family from out of state and will absulutly not let anyone hunt. Wilbur Eaton will let you hunt the following Wednesday after the season opens, but only the lower portion of his property. It is primarly made up of deer and occasionally a few Cow Elk will pass thru. It is not worth hunting. There are 5 other land owners, but they only own bits and peices of land in the lower section.

[Maximus4252626]

If the area gets heavy snow, then the elk will get pushed down into lower 162 and 163 (foothills). If that is the case, then you have lots of property to hunt, which does not require written permission etc. Again, most of the elk are in the foothills of 162 between the North Patit RD and the South Patit RD, but you cannot acce*censored* it (posted). You can drive thru it and hunt the northeast side of the area (state land), which will eventually take you in to the national forest. There is a 8 x 7 in the area, which Dan Agnew was trying to kill last year. It is still around; known as "BUBBA". It is known to be one of the largest bulls in the Blue Mtns (top 1% in Washington State-400 Class Bull). Call the game department and ask to speak with Scott Raisley (land access manager). Scott helped me last year. If it wasnt for him, then I would have been screwed. Scott can put you on a bull. He took the time to drive around and show me different pocket areas to access and connected me with land owners. All of the property my family has is in 163 (small part of 162), which is great for a Sept hunt. Hope that helps you fill your tag!

[coachcw]

wow maximas ! Thats so great  info  to give  out . I'm sure you pissed off a few guys there , Kuddos

[ThePascoKid]

Between N and S Patit is just a small part of 162 and most of the elk are not in this area.  The problem with going to shoot the chit in Dayton at a bar is the 1 bar is full of pwt methheads, unless you can get into the eagles and then you may run into some locals with knowledge of elk hunting.

[Woodchuck]

Does Colockumelk have a new handle?  That is a ton of info, good on you for being willing to share. Hopefully it will help a member tag out.

[Mr Mykiss]

That doesnt work here in Dayton.

Last time I drove outta Dayton I looked into a certain bar... it was packed (the bar area) and it was 1pm on a Wednesday...

[WAcoyotehunter]

PM sent GTX- BTW- We need to see a picture of this GTX 6 pack!!!   

[hunter-4-life]

Good luck on your hunt

[ipkus]

Ummm...

...Maximus gave you some good info, but as with everything on the internet, keep your salt shaker handy.

This is not a dig at you Maximus, good on you for sharing info with a fellow hunter.  But, anybody that thinks 'the majority of elk', or the majority of big bulls in the Dayton unit are ever concentrated down around the Patit either doesn't own optics, doesn't know how to use them, or they don't know where the unit boundaries are.

The whole unit is great elk country...and there are elk (and yes, big bulls) all over it.

Put your time in, and be smart about it.  Glass, glass, glass.  Pay attention to the vehicles you are seeing, and where you are seeing them.  There is a reason you see the same Toyota pickup parked in the same spot three different trips.

Besides, the whole public/private issue is pretty much moot at this point thanks to the tag split...

Good luck!

[bucklucky]

White toyota??

[Mr Mykiss]

There is a reason you see the same Toyota pickup parked in the same spot three different trips.

Parked at the county courthouse??