Quality elk hunt- Dayton

[Maximus4252626]

So the solution is the cut 162 in half, with the idea that half the tags would go to private land owners or the general public, who has land access to private no hunting areas. The other half is designed for the general public to still be able to draw a tag and have a chance at full filling a dream. Personally, I would not waste your time applying if you don't have private land access. Sure you always have a chance, but I would rather take my accrewed points and get drawn in an area I have plenty of access to then taking my chances wasting my points with a limited opprotunity to harvest an animal.

[ThePascoKid]

That's all great in theory unfortunately there is no way for the wdfw to stop people who have absolutley no access to private land and no clue what their getting themselves into from putting in for the ten ten.

[huntnphool]

If someone applies for a area they know nothing about, then find out that it is mostly private with written permission required to access, then they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[TheHunt]

And now we come full circle with helping people because we know what we know for public access.  How many pages did it take?   

[WenHunter]

If someone applies for a area they know nothing about, then find out that it is mostly private with written permission required to access, then they have nobody to blame but themselves.

 

Plus on another note, I appreciate the first guy that posted asking for information. WHat I mean by that is atleast he had guts enough to ask a hard question about a hunting area. Where most people would just hide in the shadows and and lurk atleast he signed up for the site and hopefully contributes to other peoples hunts like he is getting. That being said I do agree that Maximus has given some great and invaluable information and if it were me I would have given  in a PM. But either way nice job Maximus and to the first poster.

[huntnphool]

And now we come full circle with helping people because we know what we know for public access.  How many pages did it take?   

 I help people with info all the time if its public access, if you apply for a area thats private and then get upset that you can't gain access.... well then thats on you and you alone.

[gaddy]

Isn't that what the little "c" code in hunt notes is for? It basically tells you its mostly private land & if you cannot secure access, dont bother ?

[Maximus4252626]

And now we come full circle with helping people because we know what we know for public access.  How many pages did it take?   

 
I must have missed it??

[724wd]

Isn't that what the little "c" code in hunt notes is for? It basically tells you its mostly private land & if you cannot secure access, dont bother ?

   yup!

[NoBark]

Take note however, that in the case of ten ten it's  A L L  private. That little 'c' is misleading some to think that there is at least a little public land in there somewhere. Just sayin'

[gtx6pack]

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!

Really appreciate your help. I did contact Scott (email) a couple of months ago but he just told me to try Chase Mnt or Griffin Peak area, nothing more than that. I am a little worried right now, I've only seen elk once (cows/spikes) and I have been up there quite a few times. In fact, I have seen very little sign. I've tried the Chase Mnt area, Newby and Robinette. I haven't been hiking down to the bottoms and that may be why I am not seeing anything since it's been so hot. Not sure what the deer hunters will end up doing to them. Crossing my fingers.

I am heading to Idaho tomorrow morning (Dworshak Reservoir area) for a week long elk hunt. Unfortunately I chose this year to buy my first Idaho tag (same year I get drawn for 162). I will check back in here late next weekend.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Maximus4252626]

I would call Scott on his cell phone a week before your tag opens. Typically the modern firearm deer hunters will push the elk out of 163 and lower 162, back to the foothills and the national forests. Scott lives in the area and will likely be willing to take you around to a few spots and show you around. You should also ask him to provide you will a land owner list of the land owners, whom are registered with the game department to let hunters hunt their property. Worst case senario; drive up the North Patit RD until you pass all the clear cuts up on top. This is where the 400 class plus trophy bull hangs out, which Dan Agnew was trying to harvest. It is posted on both sides of the road. The land owner on the right is Wilbur Eaton. On the left is Kelly Allens property. Once you pass all the clear cuts up on top you will come to a large wheat field on the left. That is also owned by Kelly Allen. One the right is light timber, which takes you into a clear cut. About 50% of it is Kelly Allens and posted, but the remainder is feel free to hunt. You will see the fence line and the no hunting signs. Once you pass that area, the road will turn left then right. That is the start of the national forests. Their are lots of clear cuts and hunters moving the elk around. This is just a small part of 162, but their are animals in the area. I can take you to some private areas in the foothills of lower 162 if you get hung up. The only issue is, the area is dependent upon snow and the modern firearm deer pressure being light, or they head out.

[rosscrazyelk]

I am not trying to call you out. The info you are giving might be somewhat ligit but very far from the way it really is. I have hunted the blues now for 15 years and have done fairly well for myself as one of the recent threads have shown but to say that all the big bulls worth shooting are on private land is BS..  Last year when I was drawn for my big bull tag I passed many bulls And I mean many...... and only one went on to private property... I saw 3 bulls that were well over 400 class I just could not close the deal. I have many friends on here some who live there basically so to say everything is on private is crap...

[rosscrazyelk]

Sorry I am not trying to cause a fight, I commend you for sharing your opinon and info. It is not however how everyone thinks. I would be lying that trying  to shoot the biggest bull on the hill would be fun. and yes there are big bulls on private but there are also big bulls on public. After my experience last year with putting so much pressure on myself to get a huge bull I temperarily forgot the real reason I hunt. The quality time I get to spend with my friends and the time in the woods and also putting food on the table.
Last thing I have to say to all special tag holders. Go get em, have fun, relax and enjoy.....

[jager]

I.... AM relaxed