New here - intro and seeking advice

[Bantams]

Hello everyone!

I've been lurking here for a year or so and decided it was finally time to step up and introduce myself...
I'm a beginner hunter - just took hunter ed. last spring, and went out for general season deer (W WA) in the fall.  I was very fortunate to get a nice big-bodied buck on our property - and now I'm hooked on hunting!  My interest in hunting first grew out of my desire to raise/find my own food - we raise beef, meat chickens, I grow a garden and forage for mushrooms and had a Jersey milk cow for years.  I'm also a culinary graduate so I'm fairly adept at butchery.  Hunting seemed like the next logical step towards better food.  After that first meal of "home grown" venison, I decided that I should devote as much time as possible to becoming a better hunter.  While in Hawaii for the winter (working), I brought my shotgun so I could take advantage of spring turkey season (no pigs though  - I was too busy).  Now I'm back in WA and looking forward to another deer season, and hopefully, elk hunting!




(orange vest taken off for the photo, of course)

Now for my elk hunting question...
I don't know where to start!  I have a general season W WA tag.  My dad doesn't want me hunting in one of those "war zone" areas (and neither do I).  Yet it sounds like just about every GMU is that way nowadays.  So my best bet would be to find a private property to hunt, or one of the GMUs that is so far away and remote that no one hunts there ... yeah right.  Seriously though, are there any areas you can recommend for a beginning elk hunter on the westside?  It wouldn't be hunting if I didn't hike/bike/ride in 10 miles, so a closed-road area would be great as well!
Thank you for any advice you can pass along - feel free to PM me if you prefer.

Thanks again,
Kelsey

[h20hunter]

Well, young lady, I would suggest you keep the same attitude your post reflects, keep smiling, and knock on a few doors. Share the same information and be clear on your intents. I think you will have an edge and may find access to some private land that many of us may get booted right out of the driveway.

Great first post, welcome to the site, and have safe and happy hunting.

[PlateauNDN]

Well, young lady, I would suggest you keep the same attitude your post reflects, keep smiling, and knock on a few doors. Share the same information and be clear on your intents. I think you will have an edge and may find access to some private land that many of us may get booted right out of the driveway.

Great first post, welcome to the site, and have safe and happy hunting.

   Couldn't have said it any better and that is the kind of 1st post that would definitely yield some assistance.  If I knew anything about wetside areas I'd toss out some info. but since I don't good luck and keep us posted.

[JimmyHoffa]

Maybe ask around and research the WDFW numbers (GMU and number of hunters) to find areas that aren't war-zones.  I'm sure they exist (late-buck on the westside and early muzzy I know are almost 'war-zone' in spots), but can say over the years that I rarely see other humans, and the few I do see while elk hunting are on the roads.  Since i switched back to modern I see fewer and fewer people.

[ELKBURGER]

First off, welcome to the site. This a great place with great people willing to assist or encourage anyone with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife.
The west side has alot of country open to the public which indeed makes alot of it a warzone. As you know, the further you walk, hike or bike, the fewer people you will encounter. Most new hunters are rifle hunters and thats where the most people in the shortest season tend to occupy the same public land. Do some research on the units you want to hunt, and check out the harvest reports to get an idea how many animals come out of there. Once you find an area that fits what you want, gets some maps of the area and go check it out. Cover some miles and take some notes.
Again, welcome

[DoubleJ]

What part of W. Wa are you in?

[BULLBLASTER]

If you are near you might look into the battleground gmu. I believe it is any elk ( may be wrong) and it is all firearm restricted you can use your shotgun. Maybe knock on some doors around there seeking permission. Great job on the deer last year and welcome to the site.

[sebek556]

  don't be afraid to ask someone, hell I just took a real long shot and emailed a timber company who owns a lot of land that is around me. The company is in boston ma, with manager in ca. but they said yes! so do some leg work and find yourself a hole and scout scout scout! 

[jackmaster]

i bet those turkeys were damn fine eatn, welcome to the site, where about do you live, and like othersw have said you should nock on doors, i am sure you will be able to find land owners that will let you hunt otherwise public elk huntn is a warzone, have you thought of huntn with a muzzle loader, still alot of people but not even close to rifle hunters.... good luck

[coachcw]

I'm sure theres plenty of men on here willing to help  rteally you may check your local range and find other woman with similarintrest . wellcome to the site.

[runamuk]

Welcome bantam I am not sure where you are located and where you are hunting, I am now on the dry side however that said I had a spot where I didn't elk hunt  and should have as there were elk holed up in there and it was not dead center in a war zone but was on the edge of one.  I never saw anyone in there when I was deer hunting and yes I saw deer but not legal deer most trips and tons of fresh sign.  If you are hunting alone its a fairly safe feeling place.  I'd be happy to give you some directions if you want to go check it out...

I am hoping this is my year for something, but we will see....

[Chesapeake]

Kelsey,
Welcome to the site.

Like has been said, let us know your gerneral location and then we can likely point you in the right direction.


 

[coachcw]

there you go run a couple of gun slinging gals , and maybe you'll get up that mountain 

[SniperDanWA]

Welcome to a great hunting/mentoring site.  Your already on the right path with your successes thus far.  Keep reading articles on here and searching for the things you need to know.  You will go far.

[bucklucky]

Pm sent, I wont give info in a public forum for all to see.

[TheSkyBuster]

I dont' have anything decent to say either, I just wanted to post in this thread. 

[Bantams]

Thank you everyone, for the very warm welcome!
I've already learned a tremendous amount of information from this site - and I see there are 5 years worth of pages to keep me busy between scouting trips ... 

I live right in the middle of the Puget Sound, between Seattle and Tacoma.  I'll leave it up to you to guess where exactly    Being equidistant from all major elk hunting areas, I think I just need someone to give me a nudge in the right direction - I can't make up my mind yet where to start looking. 

Yes, those turkeys were mighty fine!  One ended up as gumbo - first I made stock from the carcass to use as the base, then braised the legs/wings for several hours until tender.  Rather than andouille sausage, I used a friend's homemade wild boar hot sausage.  I seared the breast meat in butter, sliced it, and added it at the last minute so it would be nice and tender...  Awesome!

In case you were alarmed that I might be hunting alone, I won't.  Either my dad (also new to hunting but he's super fit - just what I need for packing out meat  ) or a friend from the gun club will accompany me.  She's also new to big game hunting.
At least I know how to skin, gut, and break down an animal ... now I just need to know where to find 'em!

Thank you,
Kelsey

[runamuk]

Nothing alarming about hunting alone
I'll send you a PM tonite when I have more time to write out some directions.  Not like I will hunt there again.

[h20hunter]

Well Kelsey.....you've gone and done it. I'm not much help with the elk hunting but you have ruffled my feathers none the less. The gumbo you have described seems to be one of the most awesome game dishes I have ever dared to conceive. I require pictures, frozen leftovers, a bowl that was once used to eat this amazing sounding dish from, something, anything at all really to give me an idea of what it tasted like.

[sebek556]

 

[Shawn Ryan]

PM sent.

[pianoman9701]

Welcome to the site. I hunt archery, so I don't have much knowledge of the general season over here on the wet side. Keep posting and sharing info and you'll get to know some folks near you who will steer you in the right direction.

[dreamingbig]

Welcome.  I think your best bet on the west side is to find some areas that have closed roads and ride a bike or walk in behind the gates.  Google earth is your friend!  Also check the harvest statistics on the game departments website.

[Bantams]

Thanks guys!
My dad and I will be heading out this weekend for a hike - still trying to make up our minds as to where, but hopefully somewhere "elkish" if I can persuade him.  He would love to get another deer this year, but I'm not sure he's completely convinced that he should go elk hunting.  Seeing elk in the woods should persuade him.   He already bought his combo tag...

H20hunter - I guess it wouldn't be wise to tell you what I did with my deer last year - the smoked venison sausage, the sauerbraten (German-style braised venison), the perfectly rare roasted backstrap with chanterelle cream sauce ... 
Would you like the gumbo recipe?

[NWBREW]

Yes,  Please post the recipe. I will keep my eye open in the recipe section for that one. Welcome and good luck to you this coming season.

[bearpaw]

welcome to the site 

[h20hunter]

If you know whats good for you....yes....you better get that gumbo recipe up. You have 1 hour. The clock starts now!

[Bantams]

Here you go!
Wild Turkey and Andouille Gumbo
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=99947.0

[dreamingbig]

You made it by 55 seconds!