Eastern Elk-

[WWDeployer]

Hunters,

I am a Washington Native that has been in the military for virtually all of my adult life. I have finally moved back home! During my many deployments and living in several states in the mid west and east coast, I have developed a taste for hunting. The primary game animal for me has been deer, but being back home now I relish the idea of bagging an elk of any kind. Cow, Spike or bull.

I have had little time to prepare appropriately for Elk Modern Firearm this year. Being stationed everywhere but home have never hunted Elk in Washington. I have scouted Western Washington Unit 618 (Methaney) because I have heard there are some big rosies in there. During my scouting trip i noticed that place would be EPIC if i downed an animal in there. Plus it was SUPER WET!.

I drove through what t "thought" (no experience with elk, just a crap load of reading) would be good elk areas on the northern side of Ellensburg yesterday, areas 335 328 and 329 and all the gates were locked. I ended up driving through Manastash in the evening and it was immediately apparent that not only would it be in a virtual combat zone in there, but it was shoulder to shoulder.

I understand that all hunters are protective about your areas, and I'm not asking for anyone here to give up their spots. I just need someone with a little more experience hunting elk to point me in the right direction. I did read a post on this forum from 2007 about the manastash and it confirmed that yes there are Elk in there, but it is also confirmed that it is nearly shoulder to shoulder.

Im looking for a good East Side (less wet) DIY spot and stock hunt with reasonable chance of success. I intend to get off the road and hike a ways.

What do you guys think?

[fishngamereaper]

Go higher in the Taneum or Naches areas. Less pressure. A mile from the road puts you 3/4 mile from 90% of hunters. Good luck.

[Fl0und3rz]

PM Sent

[WWDeployer]

Thanks for the Info and the PMs guys. You've really put me on the right track!

[Fireant11]

Welcome back home, and thanks for your service!! 

Which branch?  I'm retired Air Force.

[de0827]

I grew up deer/elk hunting in the Blues of NE Oregon hunting timber & open hillsides. Moved to Seattle after college, and hadn't done any elk hunting in WA until last year. Took my son to the Manastash area and was totally frustrated with the # of people. Hunted a canyon as far away from roads that I could find on the map but didn't see a single thing. Went back to camp early afternoon and decided to make a little hunt behind camp. We were walking along a trail when my son says "elk" and points. I see an elk in the trees, so I crouch down to look thru the binocs. I clearly see it is a cow. My son says "it's a spike" and I say back to him that I don't see antlers. He says it again, and again I tell him it is a cow. The elk turns and trots off, and then I can hear there were more than one - he was looking at the spike (which was behind some trees for me) & I was looking at the cow. We make a little hunt, but don't see them again. We decided to go to the same place the next morning. My son jumps the elk in the timber but can't see them - then a few minutes later we hear 2 shots. A road hunter had shot the spike my son jumped. He was extremely bummed to say the least.

Yes there are elk in Manastash, but also lots of people. I'm thinking about going around Bethel or Cowiche or Oak Creek this year. I would like to get him another opportunity. We are used to hiking/climbing.  Any general tips would be appreciated. 

[lipripper]

Welcome home, and we thank you for keeping us safe

[rjn cajun]

Manasatash can be great if we get weather. It`s good either way but as everyone knows it`s one of the most populated units. Get away from the roads you`ll be ok. Or stand on the road and wait for them to come by you. Chances are it`s cows because the spike was taken two canyons over and are fighting for who shot it. Lots of elk but lots of hunters. :bash:Good Luck