Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: skywalker253 on November 13, 2012, 01:55:54 PM

Title: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: skywalker253 on November 13, 2012, 01:55:54 PM: I have 17 points going into the 2013 season for "Quality Elk". For years I have hunted the westside (Williams Creek 673). I have NEVER gotten a bull. Shot 2 and other people got them. I did get a couple of cows over the years, but nothing special. I am 36 years old, hunt hard, and dedicated. My issue has always been that I don't have anyone to hunt with, which has made an impact on my success. I don't like the idea of going and sitting in a drainage area by myself to get an elk. I have done it, but I avoid it. It does not seem the safest thing to do alone. Now I have a couple of people to hunt with on both sides of the mountains and all these points. Where should I go? Please give me some advice (top 5 westside/eastside hunts). I was thinking the Wenaha and hiring a guide if I get drawn. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: scottcrb on November 13, 2012, 02:04:51 PM: we had a quality elk bull tag this year ( buddy drew it with 4 points) AND HUNTED THE OBSERVATORY AND ONLY ENDED UP WITH A SPIKE. Even the best units can be hard to get a bull depending on the season.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 13, 2012, 02:12:23 PM: Quote from: scottcrb on November 13, 2012, 02:04:51 PM
we had a quality elk bull tag this year ( buddy drew it with 4 points) AND HUNTED THE OBSERVATORY AND ONLY ENDED UP WITH A SPIKE. Even the best units can be hard to get a bull depending on the season.

:yike: wow! I seen at least 3 shooters that I would have gotten if I had a little more daylight and heard of 2 really big boys that were seen numerous times by the same camps that were driving around in case they came upon somebody with the branch tag but at the end of the season they said they didn't come across anybody with it so, as far as I know they're still up there and if I had the time I'd take a crack at finding one of them. What part of the Observatory were you guys hunting (Manastash or Umtanum)?

Sorry, I'd say with that many points why not try for a Blues Quality Tag? If not something in the 300's.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: scottcrb on November 13, 2012, 02:28:56 PM: it was a muzzy quality bull tag and we hunted the umtanum mainly but did scout the manshtash as well. only saw 3 elk in almost 2 weeks during the muzzy season, was really warm and dry til our last day,
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 13, 2012, 02:36:24 PM: Quote from: scottcrb on November 13, 2012, 02:28:56 PM
it was a muzzy quality bull tag and we hunted the umtanum mainly but did scout the manshtash as well. only saw 3 elk in almost 2 weeks during the muzzy season, was really warm and dry til our last day,

that's where I ran into the camps that were patrolling the roads looking for a tag holder and that's where I was wandering the woods. :dunno: Better luck next year. :tup:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: coachcw on November 13, 2012, 04:44:47 PM: if you put your time in any of the quality tags should be good . I think guys expect to shoot a toad just because the permit say quality. most of the gmus are decent but in my opinion arn't true quality tags (maybe with excetption to the rut tags )
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: billythekidrock on November 13, 2012, 04:55:18 PM: Quote from: coachcw on November 13, 2012, 04:44:47 PM
if you put your time in any of the quality tags should be good . I think guys expect to shoot a toad just because the permit say quality. most of the gmus are decent but in my opinion arn't true quality tags (maybe with excetption to the rut tags )

Exactly.
Quality can also mean limted access or extended days. It does not always mean quality animals in the way we want it to.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: Archer45 on November 13, 2012, 06:33:40 PM: The Blue mountain tag, clockum tag or peaches ridge tag will all give a great oppurtunity to get a mid 300's bull!
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: cem3434 on November 13, 2012, 06:45:52 PM: Go East as others have suggested. I wouldnt waste your quality points on a Westside tag. :twocents:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: nwhunter on November 13, 2012, 06:51:20 PM: What weapon is your preference?nwhunter
Title: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: sirmissalot on November 13, 2012, 06:54:27 PM: If I were you I'd apply for a blues tag and hire a guide. PM Mtncook and ask him which unit is the best and tell him you've got a ton of points.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 13, 2012, 06:58:45 PM: 17 points... :drool:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: JPhelps on November 13, 2012, 07:01:52 PM: First thing we should do is put in as partners :tup:

I will call for you 8) skin and quarter :IBCOOL: and help pack :tung:
I think it is an opportunity you can't pass up. Once you agree I will tell you what unit WE should put in for.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: BENCHLEG on November 13, 2012, 07:14:59 PM: stay west... :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: CamoDup on November 13, 2012, 07:23:15 PM: Quote from: JPhelps on November 13, 2012, 07:01:52 PM
First thing we should do is put in as partners :tup:

I will call for you 8) skin and quarter :IBCOOL: and help pack :tung:
I think it is an opportunity you can't pass up. Once you agree I will tell you what unit WE should put in for.

:chuckle: you beat me to it!
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: MikeC on November 13, 2012, 10:38:25 PM: Hell, not only will I skin and quarter, I will bring my brother if we include him in the draw with US and between the two of us, you wont have to pack a thing! We'll set up camp, pick you up and drive. You just need to draw the tag with us, aim, and pull the trigger... We'll even supply the food and drinks :chuckle: Seriously, if you know what your weapon of choice is, find the right hunt that starts without the pressure of general season hunters for the first 5 or so days... Or of course one of the rare rifle rut hunts and find a good guide.Best of luck, and let me know if you need a pair of brothers to hunt with :IBCOOL:
Title: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: sirmissalot on November 14, 2012, 05:45:55 AM: Good on you for turning him in, sounds like a real loser. Have you actually been awarded your points already?
Title: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: jackelope on November 14, 2012, 05:56:34 AM: You'll want to use Western Life Outfitters in the Blues. Dave, the owner, is mtncook on here. He's the top 3.
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: trophyhunt on November 14, 2012, 06:51:46 AM: I would head east like most have said, but just because you have 17 points don't expect to be drawn. I also have 17 and have been applying in the blues for many years with no luck, I just keep seeing guys with lesser points drawing. I would think if you have the coin your best option for not knowing the area is to contact Western life Outfitters like jackelope said. Good luck, and remember just because it's a quality tag doesn't mean sure success on a big bull. I know a guy that hunts for cougars during the winter for wdfw and he knew the tuccannon very well. He drew the quality tag, hunted his ass off the entire season and ended up with a 300ish bull, he didn't see any BIG bulls the entire time. He was slightly disappointed. I would tell you good luck in the draw but since I've been waiting 17 years w/out poacher points, my selfish side of me hopes I draw before you. :sry: :tup: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: MikeC on November 14, 2012, 07:58:39 AM: Quote from: skywalker253 on November 14, 2012, 12:53:45 AM
Quote from: JPhelps on November 13, 2012, 07:01:52 PM
First thing we should do is put in as partners :tup:

I will call for you 8) skin and quarter :IBCOOL: and help pack :tung:
I think it is an opportunity you can't pass up. Once you agree I will tell you what unit WE should put in for.

Just curious...how do they conduct the draw if I have 17 points and you have say 3 points? Do they take the higher of the two or an avg?

So it is an average of the total... I have 5 points plus your 17 equals to 22 divided by 2 would be 11...

Nice work turning in the poachers :tup:

As far as weapon of choice, My brother and I always hunted modern until a few years ago when we finally got tired of the crowds... We switched to muzzy and have had a blast the past few seasons... The general season tends to run right at the end of the rut, we have seen alot of animals and had a few opportunities on general season tags... Muzzleloaders are quite inexpensive so my advice would be to go pick one up and start shooting. If you lke it, go for it!
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: poopooheaddad on November 14, 2012, 08:32:14 AM: Interesting post, I too have been sitting on quality and any bull points (14), much confusion on my part, do I go Archery :) ( only been useing 2 years) muzzle loader :tup: ( 16 years, and love) or modern :((20+ years)
I havent had the best luck with hunting partners, lost 2 good ones, and current one is a great guy but in poor shape and refuses to get in good shape. Solo? I would like to hike in or pack in..Some of the offers on here dont sound that bad, J Phelps offer sounds pretty good.....Just trying to plan for my 2013 hunt also tired of tag soup....
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: JPhelps on November 14, 2012, 08:42:21 AM: I forgot to tell you, I only have 6 points :P
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: dvolmer on November 14, 2012, 06:30:55 PM: We drew 5 of the 13 permits in 2006 in the Dayton area and filled 4 out of the 5. 317, 335, 358, and a monster 398 7X8. In 2007 my Buddy with 2 points drew Dayton and shot a 330 7X7. My hunting party has drawn 4 Watershed permits since 2005 and shot four 6x6's with the largest being in the 310 range. We have drawn 4 Observatory permits since 2003 and shot A 2x2, 4x4, a nice 6X6 scoring around 285, and didn't fill one of them.

With all of this I would not settle for anyting but a Dayton tag. Access is easily found in the Nat Forest and the elk are huge. Blue Creek and Wenaha would be my second choices but Blue Creek is mostly private and Wenaha is Nat Forest but you need horses for good access. Watershed is OK but not as good as Dayton. The Blues is where you want to be. We have hunted above Ellensburg in the Manastash area with the Observatory tag and found the hunting terrain much easier but the quality of animals not even close to the Blues. Now I know someone will get upset with that comment and show me some picture of a monster taken out of their in the past, but bull for bull the Blues are way bigger. better get in good shape because the Dayton area can eat your lunch with some monster canyons but if you want a 350 plus animal its the place to be and with 17 points I wouldn't settle for anything less!
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: Antlershed on November 14, 2012, 07:29:42 PM: Quote from: JPhelps on November 13, 2012, 07:01:52 PM
First thing we should do is put in as partners :tup:

I will call for you 8) skin and quarter :IBCOOL: and help pack :tung:
I think it is an opportunity you can't pass up. Once you agree I will tell you what unit WE should put in for.
Almost tempting...if I didn't have 16 points :P
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: Kowsrule30 on November 14, 2012, 07:46:14 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on November 13, 2012, 04:55:18 PM
Quote from: coachcw on November 13, 2012, 04:44:47 PM
if you put your time in any of the quality tags should be good . I think guys expect to shoot a toad just because the permit say quality. most of the gmus are decent but in my opinion arn't true quality tags (maybe with excetption to the rut tags )

Exactly.
Quality can also mean limted access or extended days. It does not always mean quality animals in the way we want it to.

Or "quality" could mean 1 day before general season opens like when my Dad drew... The "quality" category means squat... IMO... Some of the "bull" hunts offer better "quality"... But to each their own... As said before scouting is more then key to success...
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: 270Flat on November 14, 2012, 07:50:54 PM: BTW... There are no elk in the Blue Mountains!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: Archer45 on November 14, 2012, 09:30:38 PM: If you go archery try getting the Clockum rut tag!! It includes three great units and a lot of opportunity to get a 350 plus!! If I had that many points it would Early Archery Clockum for sure!!
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: nwhunter on November 14, 2012, 11:21:39 PM: Sent you a pm. nwhunter
Title: Re: Quality Elk Hunt Special Permit
Post by: 400out on November 15, 2012, 05:53:59 AM: Quote from: nwhunter on November 14, 2012, 11:21:39 PM
Sent you a pm. nwhunter
:tup: :yeah: