New to Elk Hunting: Where to Start

[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?