New to Elk Hunting: Where to Start

[jgrimes]

Only my second post, but just looking for a place to start for scouting and hunting elk with archery gear. My goal is to do back country elk hunting. However, I'm positive that I'm not ready for that yet. I'm a hound when it comes to research, so even the smallest bit of advise would be great, cheers!

[Elkrunner]

Are you hunting by yourself?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Only my second post, but just looking for a place to start for scouting and hunting elk with archery gear. My goal is to do back country elk hunting. However, I'm positive that I'm not ready for that yet. I'm a hound when it comes to research, so even the smallest bit of advise would be great, cheers!

Let me tell ya a little story .. when I moved here from P.A in 86 I could not get anyone to tell me or show me sh$t but I took this personal because nothen is going to hide from me .. we had a neighbor who lived here his whole life and told me good luck with the elk because I never shot one yet .. well after 100s in gas and lots of time scouting My dad and I scored the first day ever elk hunting in Washington and we doubled up on 2 nice bulls .. well since then I have taken 11 elk and its all because of being persistant ... same with blacktail go and keep going and it will usually pay off everytime ...... good luck ...

[jgrimes]

At times I may be. Although, I know that it would make for a daunting pack out if I were to down one. Would you suggest hunting in pairs for a beginner?

[RClare1223]

I would suggest atleast having some buddies to call if you get one down.I killed my bull a mile and a half in last year and it took 7 of us 6 hours to get him out.what area do you live in?I ask because I take alot of first timers out and teach them what i can about elk.

[jgrimes]

Let me tell ya a little story .. when I moved here from P.A in 86 I could not get anyone to tell me or show me sh$t but I took this personal because nothen is going to hide from me .. we had a neighbor who lived here his whole life and told me good luck with the elk because I never shot one yet .. well after 100s in gas and lots of time scouting My dad and I scored the first day ever elk hunting in Washington and we doubled up on 2 nice bulls .. well since then I have taken 11 elk and its all because of being persistant ... same with blacktail go and keep going and it will usually pay off everytime ...... good luck ...

I really look forward to the challenge and know that I will learn a lot along the way. I will be persistent in my pursuit and let you know how I fair this season. Do you ever elk hunt solo and would you suggest it to a novice like myself?

[jgrimes]

I would suggest atleast having some buddies to call if you get one down.I killed my bull a mile and a half in last year and it took 7 of us 6 hours to get him out.what area do you live in?I ask because I take alot of first timers out and teach them what i can about elk.

I live in Otis Orchards near the ID state line, but I'm chompin' at the bit to learn what I can no matter the distance I gotta travel.

[rtspring]

I was brought into hunting the wrong way, I had an older great uncle that was unable to walk much so we drove alot of roads and wasted alot of gas. Yep you guessed it we rarely did any good. Like anything in life you have to work for something in order to get anything... 

The first elk you ever kill when you walk up to it you will be in awe, much bigger than a deer. But then you will be hooked for life.  You will get disgusted but once you get one you will reap the rewards. read lots of book and spend time in the woods with elk and learn how they act..

good luck and welcome to elk hunting...

[RClare1223]

well i cant help out too much there.I live on the westside and hunting them here is a lot different than hunting them on the east side.best thing i can say is start scouting now find a herd and try to keep track of them til the season comes.then go stick one.good luck.

[jgrimes]

well i cant help out too much there.I live on the westside and hunting them here is a lot different than hunting them on the east side.best thing i can say is start scouting now find a herd and try to keep track of them til the season comes.then go stick one.good luck.

Thanks for the advise and I'll let ya know how it goes.

[sebek556]

check your messages.

[jgrimes]

check your messages.

PM sent

[jgrimes]

Any good books out there on elk behavior?

[fair-chase]

Any good books out there on elk behavior?

See this thread.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,77731.msg956444.html#msg956444

You've got the right attitude. Be persistant with scouting, reading, and talking to experts. No doubt you'll be hooked for life.

[jgrimes]

Thanks fair-chase. GO COUGS!

[coop2424]

Don't you have an elk heard that goes right through your area if you are in Otis orchards?  I know a couple people that have had 30-40 head in their yard in Otis orchards and see them down in the fields off pleasant view rd.

[sebek556]

sounds like I need to start cruzing pleasent view rd so I dont have to drive 2 hours 

[coop2424]

sounds like I need to start cruzing pleasent view rd so I dont have to drive 2 hours 

Haha yep they have not been there for a couple weeks now but it is a pretty good size group of them. I think 5-6 of them have got hit since last fall. 

[jechicdr]

I live in Spokane, but head to Yakima area when archery season comes around.  I like to see animals when I hunt...even if I have not been lucky enough to get one with a bow yet.  Bull with rifle in Montana, cow with muzzleloader in Blues.  Hunted Northeast corner first year back in WA with rifle...will never do that again.  Would hunt Blues/Yakima/Colockum if I had to.  Find habitat, cover and you'll find elk.  Persistence.

[jgrimes]

Are you hunting by yourself?

At times I may be. Do you suggest hunting in pairs for a novice like myself?

[CedarPants]

Grimes - what are your goals?  Spike only, or are you looking branch antlered?

[sebek556]

I have always heard there is a good elk herd in yakima training center, but I never saw any when i was there.

[jgrimes]

Grimes - what are your goals?  Spike only, or are you looking branch antlered?

I have an Eastern WA Archery tag and will be hunting in one of the ANY ELK GMUs. Bull or cow; doesn't matter to me this first season. As I gain experience, I'll be looking for that herd bull  .

[bucklucky]

My sugestion would be to hook up with an experianced elk hunter and learn as you go but that would be a perfect world. Having a buddy to help pack is big especially if your hunting early archery. Heat is a killer when it comes to keeping the meat from spoilage. Theer is so much info just to think about. For a rookie I would hunt somewhat slose to a road systm, it will be overwhelming when you finally drop your first elk, you will learn more that day than you will just reading posts  Your first thought will more than likely be "What the hell did I just get myself into "  Taking care of a elk on the ground by yourself is a tough chore especially if you have never tackled such a situation. Have a backup plan like say somebody or 3 somebodys to help you pack if you get one down. You need top read up on Buthering an elk in the field, there is a ton of info on here from past posts. Good luck and more importantly have fun elk hunting.

[CedarPants]

Grimes - what are your goals?  Spike only, or are you looking branch antlered?

I have an Eastern WA Archery tag and will be hunting in one of the ANY ELK GMUs. Bull or cow; doesn't matter to me this first season. As I gain experience, I'll be looking for that herd bull  .

Very good.  124 gets hammered by rifle hunters being that its any elk, but you have an advantage being that you are hunting archery.  There is a lot of good IEP land between here and Mt. Spokane pretty much from Opportunity east to Idaho and all the way north to the mountain - contact IEP and they should be able to provide you with maps and access points (they may charge a fee for use of their land holdings - minimal though).  You'll still be sharing the area with other hunters and probably a few groups of dirtbikes - but scout hard, get away from the roads, and you will find elk.  Also if you have the chance, get in there at night - really early - during the season.  A lot of the bugling takes place overnight due to the land being frequented by people during the day.  This should help you to locate the scattered herds if you've done your pre-season scouting correctly.

[jgrimes]

Grimes - what are your goals?  Spike only, or are you looking branch antlered?

I have an Eastern WA Archery tag and will be hunting in one of the ANY ELK GMUs. Bull or cow; doesn't matter to me this first season. As I gain experience, I'll be looking for that herd bull  .

Very good.  124 gets hammered by rifle hunters being that its any elk, but you have an advantage being that you are hunting archery.  There is a lot of good IEP land between here and Mt. Spokane pretty much from Opportunity east to Idaho and all the way north to the mountain - contact IEP and they should be able to provide you with maps and access points (they may charge a fee for use of their land holdings - minimal though).  You'll still be sharing the area with other hunters and probably a few groups of dirtbikes - but scout hard, get away from the roads, and you will find elk.  Also if you have the chance, get in there at night - really early - during the season.  A lot of the bugling takes place overnight due to the land being frequented by people during the day.  This should help you to locate the scattered herds if you've done your pre-season scouting correctly.

I have an IEP Recreational Pass, but haven't covered much of their land in 124. I was thinking about heading further North to 49 Degrees North or Selkirk to get away from that kinda pressure. Is that a wise move or will it just be an exercise of futility?

[CedarPants]

Grimes - what are your goals?  Spike only, or are you looking branch antlered?

I have an Eastern WA Archery tag and will be hunting in one of the ANY ELK GMUs. Bull or cow; doesn't matter to me this first season. As I gain experience, I'll be looking for that herd bull  .

Very good.  124 gets hammered by rifle hunters being that its any elk, but you have an advantage being that you are hunting archery.  There is a lot of good IEP land between here and Mt. Spokane pretty much from Opportunity east to Idaho and all the way north to the mountain - contact IEP and they should be able to provide you with maps and access points (they may charge a fee for use of their land holdings - minimal though).  You'll still be sharing the area with other hunters and probably a few groups of dirtbikes - but scout hard, get away from the roads, and you will find elk.  Also if you have the chance, get in there at night - really early - during the season.  A lot of the bugling takes place overnight due to the land being frequented by people during the day.  This should help you to locate the scattered herds if you've done your pre-season scouting correctly.

I have an IEP Recreational Pass, but haven't covered much of their land in 124. I was thinking about heading further North to 49 Degrees North or Selkirk to get away from that kinda pressure. Is that a wise move or will it just be an exercise of futility?

Wise move in my personal opinion.  I've hunted northeast of Colville near Deep Lake as well as the Selkirk.  The elk are fewer and scattered, but so are the hunters

[jgrimes]

Anyone archery hunt for elk in 49 Degrees North or Selkirk and looking for an apprentice?