Just moved to Washington from Michigan

[Yeti]

I've hunted lots of whitetail in Michigan (archery), and am wanting to get into Elk and wear out the leather. I am not asking you to give up your honey hole.  I completely understand " the spot".  But some tips of areas to check out would be great. I live in the Federal Way area and know that I am gonna have to drive.  Any help would be awesome.   

Thanks

[huntnphool]

Welcome to the site How long must you live here to purchase a resident tag?  There is tons of info on the site, I would just start going through the Elk section and reading as many as you can and take notes. Pay attention to the folks that drew permits in the many units and look at the pics they end up posting.

[Curly]

Try the Winston unit for archery.  It will be a little bit of a drive for you but it could be worth it.  Check out the areas toward White Pass (hwy 12).

Also, check out the WDFW website for statistics that might help you decide where the best units might be.  http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/harvest/2006/db/elk_region5_archery.php

Another valuable tool, besides this forum, is the WDFW's gohunt website:  https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/gohunt/gohuntJSP/startup.jsp

[EastWaViking]

You are not going to have to drive that far.  A guy I know killed a monster bull with his muzzle loader somewhere near black diamond about 5 years ago.  I think it may be, or was, the state record.

[robodad]

GOOD GAWD !!! 

[popeshawnpaul]

Holy freak rosey bull.  Damn!

If you are good at statistics, get them on the WA fish and game website and look through them for success rates and such by units.  That'll get you pointed in the right direction.

[Yeti]

Thank you this will be of great benefit.   It is always nice to know other hunters are willing to help out "the new guy"

[DeKuma]

Unless I am reading it wrong, Black Diamond areas and the like are not open to archery hunters??

Welcome to the site!
I am going for archery for the first time this year for elk, but have hunted them with rifle.  Let me know if I can help out in any way. 

I am planning on starting the season in the Winston unit I think...........

[Head-shot]

  Holy *censored* and fall in it! That's a monster, thanks for the pic viking.

[clemons14e]

its great to see a neather face from Michigan here welcome i grew up around manistee were you from . cant help you to much sorry just got here my self but good luck the guys here are great and there is a ton of info

[TeacherMan]

If you are wanting to get the full experience, animals, views, real western hunting, and not want to deal with private property try the Bumping Unit, its spike or cow only for archery, but you would have a blast. Start at the top of Chinook pass on Hwy 410 drive toward Yakima it is the right side of the road. There is lots of area you can hunt. One good spot is right on top, there is something called the "hole" you can drop into this area. It would be a pack. You could also try just across from bear gap. There is a trail head there that will take you toward Big Basin, since you dont have a big bull tag hunt the swamps/American river basin down low. If you have any questions on this area ask, I can talk along time about it, I shot five elk in five years out of it...

[tmike]

Welcome to the Madness!   Black Diamond is in the Issaquah unit. Any elk for Archery and Muzzleloader, any bull Rifle. I'm not sure these are Rosie's though.

[JoeE]

The picture of that elk is also on the Sherman Creek Outfitters website???

[BowShooter]

I noticed at least a couple of Sherman creek outfitters pictures were of bucks that had nothing to do with their outfit.  Honesty is one of the best indicators of a quality outfitter.   

[BowShooter]

What about this deer?  I saw this in a magazine and he never mentioned Sherman Creek.  The guy that shot this buck posted something on www.awesomeantlers.com that said that it was self-guided.  I don't know who to believe (you or him) so I will leave it at that.  Maybe you could clarify it? 

[MountainWalk]

thats pretty strange.

[Machias]

Bowshooter, could be it was a self guided hunt on property owned by Sherman Creek, a drop camp type situation.  Then they would both be right don't you think?

[BowShooter]

Yeah, I guess.  But the way the guy described the hunt, it didn't sound like it.  Maybe they can explain it better...  It is just one deer and one elk, so they may have a good reason?   

[Machias]

That's one heck of a nice whitetail, tell your friend congrats!!  I hunted a couple of years in Northern Alberta, saw 16 bears in 6 days of hunting one and have taken four nice bears with my bow up there.  After the first year I no longer considered the Outfitter my Outfitter but my friend so I know exactly where your coming from.  Great looking site and excellent trail cam photos!

[popeshawnpaul]

Sounds like your bluff got called Bowshooter.  Think you jumped the gun a bit?

[huntnphool]

Outfitter, its about time you got back to posting on here, I have missed your experience. Thats one hell of a buck right there, congrats to the hunter that got him.

You need to post more and not worry about the jokers on the site, there are a load of us that love your posts. Thanks again for your insight and posts...............................rf

[BowShooter]

It sounds like he didn't actually guide him on this hunt, but helped him out from time to time, so they thought it appropriate to show this buck on their site as if he was on one of their guided hunts.      

I guess I am kind of biased.  I had a friend e-mail sherman creek about a year ago about a hunt.  They took almost two weeks to get back to him and left him a one sentence message stating they were full. 

 


 

[bucklucky]

Nice pics outfitter! Glad you posted them.

[Ridgerunner]

I'd love a WT like one of those bucks, wow.

[popeshawnpaul]

Bowshooter, it wasn't even you it was your friend.  He, like me, probably didn't get back to the guy because we are busy as hell working hard for our current clients. 

Just remember this guy has a business.  When you open your mouth you can hurt a guy's livelihood.  If you have issues with him or his pictures then private message the guy.  I wouldn't want my dirty laundry posted around on the internet.  That's what makes this site so good as we pride ourselves on not having this garbage on Huntwa.  Just give the guy a bit of respect.  It's not like he kicked your dog or something.  He delayed in sending your friend an email.  That's got you all bent?  I've done it before.  Do you want to get bent on me too?

I don't want to feel like I'm having to defend a guy, but it just seems really odd and struck me wrong that you are pushing this.  Let's let it end.

Lastly, your thread got jacked, sorry John.

[bucklucky]

I agree with Pope on this one

[M_ray]

Pope for president! 

[M_ray]

John sorry about the  but welcome and good move from Michigan out west! There are a ton of great opprtunities not only in Wa but within a day or two drive in Oregon,Idaho & Montana! I agree with others, check out the Elk archives on here and you'll find more than enough info to keep you busy for ahwile!
Here's a link to my very first post and some elk hunting info!

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,2213.0.html

[bucklucky]

WOW! Mark , That post brings back old memories. I think that is around the time I joined.

[M_ray]

Yeah when I looked at it again my back just started hurting! 

[bucklucky]

 

[Curly]

I agree with Pope on this one

+1

I felt the same way too.  I'm glad you wrote what you did, Pope.  I could not have said it as well, but I was thinking about typing something.

[andrew_12gauge]

well john good luck with the elk hunting. most of the east side is going to be spike only or cow with a few exceptions, so in washington if you wanna hunt big bulls youre probably gonna have to hunt roosies on the wet side. as far as rocky mountain bulls are concerned u could hunt oregon or idaho on over the counter tags in most units and hunt big bulls. whatever you choose to do enjoy and good luck

[M_ray]

Yeah John Andrew is right if you want to hunt a branch bull your best shot at it is West side WA or Oregon but in Oregon keep in mind it's over the counter Archery and must be purchased before the start of that tags season, I think there are General season any wepon tags in some units in Idaho as well. Otherwise it's mostley Spike hunting with a Muzzleloader or rifle on the east side of WA. Everything in Oregon with a rifle is draw only even for Residents.

[Wea300mag]

It sounds like he didn't actually guide him on this hunt, but helped him out from time to time, so they thought it appropriate to show this buck on their site as if he was on one of their guided hunts.      

I guess I am kind of biased.  I had a friend e-mail sherman creek about a year ago about a hunt.  They took almost two weeks to get back to him and left him a one sentence message stating they were full. 

 

What a zipper head!!! I think you have this site confused with MM.


 

[MountainWalk]

i dont think that fellow really meant to imply  shadiness... it may have been an honest mistake.  sounds like he was just wanting to know what was up.. kick em, but not too hard... i may be wrong.

[scudmaster]

My  as I don't know any of the personalities involved and I assume they are both honest and forthright people.

Seems to me Bowshooter was asking for clarification about pictures on the SC site.  He backed off from the accusatory language on the second post.  After hearing the story and seeing the pics, they seem a bit misleading as there is no description on the site about their origin or relation to SC.

If they are not described as not being from guided hunts, the natural assumption is that they are. If the Black Diamond elk is not even on land they guide on, this would make me wonder, without a explanation, as to why it is there.  Bowshooter has obviously done his homework as he was able to recognize the photos from other publications.  Full disclosure by outfitter would seem to prevent this problem.  A short caption under each photo would sufice.

I know there is more to this with personal histories involved, but being new to the site and not having the history you all do with outfitter or BowShooter, seems like you are all jumping on BowShooter for an honest question and observation because of a personal bias towards outfitter. 

This is just from an outsiders perspective of course.

[Ray]

My 

There tends to be an emerging group of usernames which become registered only for people to make critical attacks or otherwise bring a potentially negative spotlight on another person here without all the facts being hashed out. These folks often times change thier user profile (the email field) and then never re-validate their username. I think if you're going to be that critical about someone and then try to change your contact name and later do not validate your email;  instead you might be the user or person which appears to be less than open.

[Yeti]

So, I am learning the lingo.  Sounds like if I want to learn to hunt elk, go after the spikes or cows and do it at least once. Then go after the big bull (branch elk?) in the lower swampy areas?  Unless I choose to go out of state.

My goal is a self guided hunt, with a successful bow shot.

Are Roosevelt smaller than Rocky Mountain elk?

[billythekidrock]

So, I am learning the lingo.  Sounds like if I want to learn to hunt elk, go after the spikes or cows and do it at least once. Then go after the big bull (branch elk?) in the lower swampy areas?  Unless I choose to go out of state.

My goal is a self guided hunt, with a successful bow shot.

Are Roosevelt smaller than Rocky Mountain elk?

Yes, get a couple hunts under your belt and take the first legal animal you can.

[Curly]

Roosevelt elk typically have larger bodies.  Their antlers don't usually get to be as large as Rocky Mountain elk.

[Yeti]

I have done my fair share of quartering deer, because most of my hunting spots were a miles from any one and the closest road.  I am used to packing out about 60-80lbs of meat/bones.   With an Elk and me by myself i should expect two trips minimum? 

Also am I boning in the field or just quartering and taking the straps, neck and tenderloin?  How much freezer space should I need?

Do I need a hunting partner or can I do it on my own and not spoil meat?

[popeshawnpaul]

4 trips minimum if you get all the meat...

[M_ray]

4 + trips and a partner is a smart chioce especially in the aearly season so you'll be sure to save the meat!

[bucklucky]

4 + trips and a partner is a smart choice especially in the early season so you'll be sure to save the meat!

Sounds like you just volunteered to help pack mine out this year

[M_ray]

4 + trips and a partner is a smart choice especially in the early season so you'll be sure to save the meat!

Sounds like you just volunteered to help pack mine out this year

Ok may as well? ... I'll use it as training for Huntnphool & Ridgerunner's moose!

[bucklucky]