Some way to attack west side elk hunting...

[briancorneal]

     I've always archery hunted east side elk that are far away from the logging roads.  This year, I drew a west side tag, and all I see per google earth is logged clear cuts and tons of logging roads in the unit I was selected for.  From what I've read, the north third or so of this unit is heavily hunted, so I'm not going there.  There are a few spots secluded from clear cuts, but you're never far from a road.  The east side is easier..find some water, some feeding areas, some steep, north facing country and find them far away from roads.  I haven't a clue how to hunt this type of unit.  And for some odd reason, I'm not getting any help from the WDFW personnel I contacted.  As far as I know, they don't list wildlife biologists by county, region or by GMU their in charge of.

I'm not looking for a handout, but some advice from some old timers, or experienced west side elk killers.  Before you leave without a reply, let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I'm a 29 year old Iraq vet that started hunting 5 or so years ago, and have yet to bag a bull.  I hunt hard and am willing to hike in miles if that will bring me closer to my goal.  All the info I get are from books, online material/forums, and field experience.  Suffice it to say, I've learned more from my mistakes than anything else. 

I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

[Tbar]

What tag did you draw

[briancorneal]

Quality elk Toutle any bull. I've read what I can muster from a "toutle" in the search bar, but that's all I've got

[Tbar]

Toutle is probably the best bet for someone willing to put in some effort to get into alot of bulls.  It is alot of industrial timberlands too.  There is some state land elk are through out the entire unit. I would start by glassing the edges of clearcuts in the morning and evening and hit jack firs during the day. I would spend as much time there as possible. Talk to as many locals as you can. Loggers are your best friends and buying a couple beers at the watering hole can pay dividends. I have even helped woodcutters load their truck for giving me their time.  Good luck you might have one of the funnest tags in the state. The bulls aren't huge but they are there in numbers. Make good memories and take all of us along for the ride.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Well it a good tag to have ...alot of bulls so thats a good thing .....

[Turkeyman]

Come in from the cougar side less people. Find locked gates and start walking or biking. Lots of rag horns easy to call in. Good luck and have fun.

[grundy53]

Here on the west side you are usually never very far from a logging road. But you don't need to be. Elk love to feed in the clear cuts. Mostly in the morning or evening but you can find them in a clear cut at the most random times of day. If you get in the Timber as soon as it's light enough to see and get near the trail they use to exit the clear cut you will be in great shape. It's usually very easy to tell what trail they have been using lately. If you jump the herd stay on them. They are not like rocky mountain elk they are not generally going to run for miles. They will eventually slow down when they feal safe and they like to go in a large circle. Hunting elk in a westside timber patch is a real up close and personal type of hunt. You can get really close to he elk and your shots won't be far but they will be fast so be ready. The biggest they I would stress though is don't get in the timber patch until you can see. It seems like everytime some one thinks they are going to cut a fat hog and beat me and my buddies to the elk by hitting the timber patch a little earlier, they just end up jumping the herd and can't see to shoot. The elk aren't in a hurry they won't be far until you spook them so wait until you can see enough to shoot. Sorry if i'm rambling. Thank you for your service and good luck.

[ICEMAN]

Great advice Grundy.

[briancorneal]

That's the opposite of what I would've done.  I'm glad I posted this query!  It probably saved me a lot of time and heartache.  Are the clearcuts closer to water more beneficial, or are they everywhere since water's never far away from anything in that unit?

[Deer slayer]

That's the opposite of what I would've done.  I'm glad I posted this query!  It probably saved me a lot of time and heartache.  Are the clearcuts closer to water more beneficial, or are they everywhere since water's never far away from anything in that unit?

Water really doesnt seem to matter.  Water is every where and the elk are too.  I encourage you to get involved with our Toutle tag holders thread.  Everyone is posting some good information.  Congrats on your tag.

[rtspring]

I hunted elk over on the wetside one time, around the Raymond area in the Willipa Hills.   It is totally diffrent then where I hunt on the eastside. Biggest thing I found that others have mentioned is the elk don't seem to run to the next county when spooked. A heck of alot more brush to walk thru and shots are seldom very far. I hunted deer and scouted for elk prior to the season, this helped alot in finding and tracking the elk patterns..   I found a clearing that the elk were feeding in every night.  I stuck it out for three days and never seen one elk, but on the fourth day right at legal shooting light a bull and his four cows came walking thru grazing along. Well lets just say the cows made it to the trees. Amazing how so many animals can hide so easliy..

good luck

[oneezreiter]

The west side is thick and wet, pack accordingly and be patient.  Try to get over there soon so you can see what you are up against.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Quality elk Toutle any bull. I've read what I can muster from a "toutle" in the search bar, but that's all I've got

I was going to say, from that description above, I was going to guess Toutle.  My advice for this unit is to hunt strictly in the central and south.  Stay out of the state land.  If you are hunting Archery, hike it in!  If you're hunting rifle, it's drive, glass, drive glass, drive glass, drive glass. 

There is a ton of information on the Toutle on this site, but it's a high action low potential for a trophy unit.  Lots of raghorns, lots of elk.  I had the rifle tag two years ago, one of the funnest hunts I've ever been on!

[OlympicElkJunkie]

If you have an archery tag you have to consider the possibility that much of the unit may be closed for fire danger. More than half of it is private timber company land and darn near every year is closed not just to driving but to any access at all. That leaves just state land to hunt. Usually the access restriction gets lifted right after the first good rain which often is in the first week, but there have been seasons where it happens much later and some where the land was closed for the entire early archery season.
Two things to consider as a result. First, get in there and scout before it closes. Second, have a backup plan in case it does.
God bless you and thank you for service our great nation!

[Deer slayer]

Quality elk Toutle any bull. I've read what I can muster from a "toutle" in the search bar, but that's all I've got

I was going to say, from that description above, I was going to guess Toutle.  My advice for this unit is to hunt strictly in the central and south.  Stay out of the state land.  If you are hunting Archery, hike it in!  If you're hunting rifle, it's drive, glass, drive glass, drive glass, drive glass. 

There is a ton of information on the Toutle on this site, but it's a high action low potential for a trophy unit.  Lots of raghorns, lots of elk.  I had the rifle tag two years ago, one of the funnest hunts I've ever been on!

What did you kill and any pics?