I'm some what in the same boat, except I've been hunting whitetail for 37 years. This year I'm going after elk and all I have done is look at the harvest reports from the last 2 years in the W. WA. GMU's and going from there. The areas South of 12 produce more animals, but I'm looking hard at the Skook area around Alder Lake. That area produces much fewer animals, but it's close enough so I can scout it a heck of a lot more. Plus I know a property owner there that can give me some inside info. I've been told if you want to see elk, hunt the roads and clear cuts, however; if you want to kill one hunt the thick nasty stuff and shoot them at 10-15 yards late morning and early afternoon. Remember also, an elk is made to live in cold nasty weather, so hunt the sides of hills that are in the shade and check out the creek bottems cause they are usually cooler. And don't give up. I bet ya your chance will happen when you least expect it. At least that's my experience with whitetails.
