New here - intro and seeking advice

[TheSkyBuster]

I dont' have anything decent to say either, I just wanted to post in this thread. 

[Bantams]

Thank you everyone, for the very warm welcome!
I've already learned a tremendous amount of information from this site - and I see there are 5 years worth of pages to keep me busy between scouting trips ... 

I live right in the middle of the Puget Sound, between Seattle and Tacoma.  I'll leave it up to you to guess where exactly    Being equidistant from all major elk hunting areas, I think I just need someone to give me a nudge in the right direction - I can't make up my mind yet where to start looking. 

Yes, those turkeys were mighty fine!  One ended up as gumbo - first I made stock from the carcass to use as the base, then braised the legs/wings for several hours until tender.  Rather than andouille sausage, I used a friend's homemade wild boar hot sausage.  I seared the breast meat in butter, sliced it, and added it at the last minute so it would be nice and tender...  Awesome!

In case you were alarmed that I might be hunting alone, I won't.  Either my dad (also new to hunting but he's super fit - just what I need for packing out meat  ) or a friend from the gun club will accompany me.  She's also new to big game hunting.
At least I know how to skin, gut, and break down an animal ... now I just need to know where to find 'em!

Thank you,
Kelsey

[runamuk]

Nothing alarming about hunting alone
I'll send you a PM tonite when I have more time to write out some directions.  Not like I will hunt there again.

[h20hunter]

Well Kelsey.....you've gone and done it. I'm not much help with the elk hunting but you have ruffled my feathers none the less. The gumbo you have described seems to be one of the most awesome game dishes I have ever dared to conceive. I require pictures, frozen leftovers, a bowl that was once used to eat this amazing sounding dish from, something, anything at all really to give me an idea of what it tasted like.

[sebek556]

 

[Shawn Ryan]

PM sent.

[pianoman9701]

Welcome to the site. I hunt archery, so I don't have much knowledge of the general season over here on the wet side. Keep posting and sharing info and you'll get to know some folks near you who will steer you in the right direction.

[dreamingbig]

Welcome.  I think your best bet on the west side is to find some areas that have closed roads and ride a bike or walk in behind the gates.  Google earth is your friend!  Also check the harvest statistics on the game departments website.

[Bantams]

Thanks guys!
My dad and I will be heading out this weekend for a hike - still trying to make up our minds as to where, but hopefully somewhere "elkish" if I can persuade him.  He would love to get another deer this year, but I'm not sure he's completely convinced that he should go elk hunting.  Seeing elk in the woods should persuade him.   He already bought his combo tag...

H20hunter - I guess it wouldn't be wise to tell you what I did with my deer last year - the smoked venison sausage, the sauerbraten (German-style braised venison), the perfectly rare roasted backstrap with chanterelle cream sauce ... 
Would you like the gumbo recipe?

[NWBREW]

Yes,  Please post the recipe. I will keep my eye open in the recipe section for that one. Welcome and good luck to you this coming season.

[bearpaw]

welcome to the site 

[h20hunter]

If you know whats good for you....yes....you better get that gumbo recipe up. You have 1 hour. The clock starts now!

[Bantams]

Here you go!
Wild Turkey and Andouille Gumbo
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=99947.0

[dreamingbig]

You made it by 55 seconds!