Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 29, 2012, 10:00:53 AM
Post by: adamR on October 29, 2012, 10:03:09 AM
Post by: Bookworm007 on October 29, 2012, 10:08:18 AM
I for one like to be in the nastiest weather possible because the elk don't seem to care and other guys will throw in the towel. What is your hunting style? Do you like hiking in behind locked gates? Do you plan on camping or driving up each day? (some units are starting to have very limited public land for camping) Also if you are only in it for meat then try to find a any bull unit that fits your requirements.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 29, 2012, 10:27:18 AM
bookworm yes i was thinking the same, any bull unit. the hunting style will depend on where I am I guess. I tend to find gates and hike in, look for some areas that have sign and start trying to track. cant wait to try to call one in :IBCOOL: I would really rather be on this side hunting, Ill take rain of that white frozen crap any day :tup:
Post by: kentrek on October 29, 2012, 10:50:43 AM
so my best advice is to get a "pard"
hope thats not a redundant comment
good luck !
Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 29, 2012, 10:55:04 AM
Post by: stryker on October 29, 2012, 10:59:24 AM
Post by: dscubame on October 29, 2012, 11:25:10 AM
I can hunt near anything I grew up hunting but never elk, no idea where to go, mostly I just need a direction or area that would be worth hiking in and putting the work in but I have no idea where in WA elk are, aside from Greenwater but its not open to hunt
That is the big question for most that wish to kill and not just hunt Elk in WA.
Post by: Bookworm007 on October 29, 2012, 02:13:07 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on October 30, 2012, 06:39:30 AM
Also I am a firm believer in scouting . Know your area. Know what the elk like to do when pressured. Escape routes and such.
Good luck
Post by: Ripper on October 30, 2012, 08:29:05 AM
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 30, 2012, 08:48:38 AM
Not to sound like an ass but I would of started my homework alot sonner than yesterday.
Also I am a firm believer in scouting . Know your area. Know what the elk like to do when pressured. Escape routes and such.
Good luck
:yeah: I agree, most people, myself included, like to help others out. However, we like to meet and get to know someone first so as to feel comfortable with your abilities, ethics and knowledge. Then it's nice to get out together and scout. If all you're looking for now is a direction then as someone pointed out earlier, Mt Adams, St Helens area does hold a lot of elk. Without any prior scouting though, your chances are slim unless you get lucky and blindly have one walk out in front of you! I do wish you luck, and anything you learn this year will help you next.
:yeah:
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 30, 2012, 12:34:07 PM
Post by: RuttinWapati on October 30, 2012, 12:58:09 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on October 30, 2012, 01:01:47 PM
:yeah: I agree, most people, myself included, like to help others out. However, we like to meet and get to know someone first so as to feel comfortable with your abilities, ethics and knowledge. Then it's nice to get out together and scout. If all you're looking for now is a direction then as someone pointed out earlier, Mt Adams, St Helens area does hold a lot of elk. Without any prior scouting though, your chances are slim unless you get lucky and blindly have one walk out in front of you! I do wish you luck, and anything you learn this year will help you next.
:yeah:
If you have the means, hire a guide this year. Make sure you get great references.
Post by: Mr Mykiss on October 30, 2012, 02:31:48 PM
Post by: James on October 30, 2012, 03:09:44 PM
Post by: stryker on October 30, 2012, 04:22:59 PM
so I have never hunted elk, so i dont know where I should tag for east or west, and where to go. Im not trophy hunting this year just meat hunting, so time to ask you guys for advice. i would prefer west side but if the east side is much easier/better chances then tell me :dunno:
Im kinda in the same boat except, this year is the first time in 29 years since I have hunted. Gates...? What the hell? 30 years ago you could go anywhere.
Finances didnt allow for the rifle till very recently so late start. As Mr Mykiss put it "359 days until next elk season". Thats how my deer season is going. Scouting with a tag and a rifle and an 11 year old.
Hell yea I want to get one, but the adventure and sharing/teaching? with lil dude is half of it. Was gonna do Elk but once I realized I cant even find a deer... :bash:
I guess I'll be out hunting/scouting durring late season.
358.5 more days...
Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 30, 2012, 04:57:27 PM
The good news for you (and I truly mean this) is that you're starting your quest for elk knowledge with about 359 days until next elk season, tons of time to learn. I'd say shed hunt, buy 3 trailcameras, hike in September and August when you're not playing with trailcameras to learn the area(s) you might be hunting... keep us informed.
nope, i have 4 days to the start of elk season, and I had s spot picked out but its not open i guess so on to plan B, scout n hunt at the same time. I have seen more elk this season than BT thats for damn sure!! :chuckle:
stryker, yes property has been sold since 30 years ago, locked gates, all over
Post by: washelkhunter on October 30, 2012, 05:05:16 PM
Post by: Kc_Kracker on October 30, 2012, 05:16:58 PM
Post by: netcoyote on October 30, 2012, 05:28:12 PM
Post by: 762Armo on October 30, 2012, 05:36:42 PM
I would pick a unit with good access to large areas with closed roads. Find areas which have plenty of graze for the elk and places for them to hide. Park, put on your gear and head out. Good luck. :tup:
Quick question, when looking at GMUs and what not online and trying to find a place to go hunting, how can you tell in which areas have closed gates, and closed roads and where they are?
Post by: Bookworm007 on October 30, 2012, 07:11:35 PM
I would pick a unit with good access to large areas with closed roads. Find areas which have plenty of graze for the elk and places for them to hide. Park, put on your gear and head out. Good luck. :tup:
Quick question, when looking at GMUs and what not online and trying to find a place to go hunting, how can you tell in which areas have closed gates, and closed roads and where they are?
Pretty much you have to go drive up there and check it out. You can get a clue by looking at landownership. Pretty much all timber company land is gated, but sometimes the gates open for hunting season. I guess you could call to find out but the most reliable info comes first hand. DNR land generally has access on main thru fares but side roads get gated, but national forest land is open lots of times. As my father puts it I am a "mountain goat" so I tend to like hiking 4 miles in just to get away from other hunters. It gets a little interesting after you shoot something but thats part of the experience right? :chuckle:
Post by: 762Armo on November 01, 2012, 12:06:59 AM
Where do I look to find who owns the land?I would pick a unit with good access to large areas with closed roads. Find areas which have plenty of graze for the elk and places for them to hide. Park, put on your gear and head out. Good luck. :tup:
Quick question, when looking at GMUs and what not online and trying to find a place to go hunting, how can you tell in which areas have closed gates, and closed roads and where they are?
Pretty much you have to go drive up there and check it out. You can get a clue by looking at landownership. Pretty much all timber company land is gated, but sometimes the gates open for hunting season. I guess you could call to find out but the most reliable info comes first hand. DNR land generally has access on main thru fares but side roads get gated, but national forest land is open lots of times. As my father puts it I am a "mountain goat" so I tend to like hiking 4 miles in just to get away from other hunters. It gets a little interesting after you shoot something but thats part of the experience right? :chuckle:
Post by: bear hunter on November 01, 2012, 12:40:37 AM
Post by: stryker on November 01, 2012, 06:23:17 AM
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_trustlands_map_nu2.pdf (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_trustlands_map_nu2.pdf)
Part of my search included 'what pass I need' to park at any given location.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_discover_pass_statewide_map.pdf (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_discover_pass_statewide_map.pdf)
I also used the county parcel viewer to check ownership of an area I might be interested in after. I also do some scouting on Google Maps. They show property lines when you zoom in close enough on the map in MAP mode.
http://www5.kingcounty.gov/iMAP/viewer.htm (http://www5.kingcounty.gov/iMAP/viewer.htm)