Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:35:16 AM

Title: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:35:16 AM: This is my second year putting in for it and got selected! Now I feel I have too many options. Where do I start? Do I want to hunt east or west? Do I kill the 1st elk I can? Do I hold out for a bull? I guess this is a good problem to have but I dont want to waste the chance at my 1st elk by having too many choices and making the wrong one. They say dont pass an animal that you would kill the last day so I will shoot the 1st animal I can and be happy with any elk. I will be out this weekend putting up cams and looking around.

Sorry just had to vent. Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 11:40:21 AM: Have you hunted elk before? Where do you normally hunt and what was your thoughts when you applied?
How many points do you have in the permit pool?

The 1st step is to cough up the $180.00 to buy the multiseason permit.

I think a lot of people apply for that permit with the intent of applying for eastside permits and if "not selected" hunt elk on the west side of the state where it is a lot of 3 point minimum bull areas. That's what I would do, but since the odds of me drawing a permit on the eastside are slim, I would just go about my normal plan of hunting the west side. I was not selected for the elk m/s permit so it's all a moot point for me.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: Mfowl on April 10, 2013, 11:42:00 AM: One of my friends was drawn last year, he shot a spike on opening morning of archery and doesn't regret it one bit. I shot a spike with an any bull ML tag and I don't regret it either. Elk in the freezer is worth filling a tag first chance you get.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: lastmk8 on April 10, 2013, 11:43:46 AM: Congrats on being selected, I'm on a four in a row "not selected". As for East or West, my understanding you can hunt both, now even more options for you to mull over!!!
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 10, 2013, 11:47:34 AM: If you can hunt both side Id start on the West side for Bulls with Bow and ML. If I wasent succesful Id head east and shoot a big fat cow in later season!
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:48:27 AM: Quote from: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 11:40:21 AM
Have you hunted elk before? Where do you normally hunt and what was your thoughts when you applied?
How many points do you have in the permit pool?

The 1st step is to cough up the $180.00 to buy the multiseason permit.

I think a lot of people apply for that permit with the intent of applying for eastside permits and if "not selected" hunt elk on the west side of the state where it is a lot of 3 point minimum bull areas. That's what I would do, but since the odds of me drawing a permit on the eastside are slim, I would just go about my normal plan of hunting the west side. I was not selected for the elk m/s permit so it's all a moot point for me.

I have hunted elk been close but havent killed one. I guess it comes down to how much homework I do and effort I put in. I plan on making the most of the opportunity. I want to fill my tag before modern so I can focus on helping my Son get his 1st elk.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:49:17 AM: Quote from: wildmanoutdoors on April 10, 2013, 11:47:34 AM
If you can hunt both side Id start on the West side for Bulls with Bow and ML. If I wasent succesful Id head east and shoot a big fat cow in later season!

Good idea!
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: jrebel on April 10, 2013, 11:53:36 AM: You do have a good problem....I wish I had your problem. I like the fact that the tag allows you to hunt statewide (east or west). I also like the fact that I can hunt all three seasons.

Have you ever killed an elk before? If not I would not pass on any legal elk....Period!! This tag is not a special draw tag it just allows you more time afield. Assuming you don't draw a special tag, I would start by prioritizing your comfort with each discipline you plan on using.

If you are comfortable with a rifle then plan your hunt around the modern season. Now start practicing with the other two disciplines and see if they are even an options (hopefully so if you put in for the multi season tag). Get out as much as you can with the other two disciplines as well. The more time you spend chasing the elusive elk, the more likely you will stumble across one and harvest it.

Good Luck and make sure to post pics. :tup:
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 10, 2013, 11:54:24 AM: If you dont have to have a Bull Id just go eastside and shoot Cows. Not hard to get into the Cows on the East side.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 10, 2013, 11:54:41 AM: Moz, you must decide if you want meat or horns and meat. If you just want to put an elk in the freezer so you can cook a steak for the next beauty queen who stays at your house, shoot the first legal elk you can. If horns are important, decide what you're looking for. But, it sounds to me like getting one before your son's hunt is the most important, so just go for any legal animal. :dunno:
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: bobcat on April 10, 2013, 12:02:29 PM: It is quite the dilemma. I don't necessarily agree with the "don't pass up what you'd shoot on the last day" theory. It really depends on the areas you know and the seasons you typically hunt. The best opportunities for bulls will be early archery and early muzzleloader seasons. If I paid the extra $180 for the tag, I would hate to take a cow during the early archery season and miss out on my chance to hunt the early muzzleloader season. There are plenty of good units where you can kill a cow during the late archery season. You might want to hold out for a bull in the early season, then try for a cow late season. But again, it would depend on the units you're familiar with, and also on how much time you have to hunt. I hope to have this same problem next year.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: WSU on April 10, 2013, 12:02:38 PM: It sounds like you haven't killed an elk before. If that's true, kill the first one you can. No reason to get picky when you haven't killed one yet.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 12:09:38 PM: Quote from: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:48:27 AM
Quote from: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 11:40:21 AM
Have you hunted elk before? Where do you normally hunt and what was your thoughts when you applied?
How many points do you have in the permit pool?

The 1st step is to cough up the $180.00 to buy the multiseason permit.

I think a lot of people apply for that permit with the intent of applying for eastside permits and if "not selected" hunt elk on the west side of the state where it is a lot of 3 point minimum bull areas. That's what I would do, but since the odds of me drawing a permit on the eastside are slim, I would just go about my normal plan of hunting the west side. I was not selected for the elk m/s permit so it's all a moot point for me.

I have hunted elk been close but havent killed one. I guess it comes down to how much homework I do and effort I put in. I plan on making the most of the opportunity. I want to fill my tag before modern so I can focus on helping my Son get his 1st elk.

Are you good with the bow and the muzzleloader?
If you just want meat, I'd go east with the bow and shoot the 1st fat cow or spike bull you find in an antlerless unit.
If you want to shoot a bull, apply for east and hunt west for branch antlered bulls.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 12:25:47 PM: Quote from: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 12:09:38 PM
Quote from: mrmoskillz on April 10, 2013, 11:48:27 AM
Quote from: jackelope on April 10, 2013, 11:40:21 AM
Have you hunted elk before? Where do you normally hunt and what was your thoughts when you applied?
How many points do you have in the permit pool?

The 1st step is to cough up the $180.00 to buy the multiseason permit.

I think a lot of people apply for that permit with the intent of applying for eastside permits and if "not selected" hunt elk on the west side of the state where it is a lot of 3 point minimum bull areas. That's what I would do, but since the odds of me drawing a permit on the eastside are slim, I would just go about my normal plan of hunting the west side. I was not selected for the elk m/s permit so it's all a moot point for me.

I have hunted elk been close but havent killed one. I guess it comes down to how much homework I do and effort I put in. I plan on making the most of the opportunity. I want to fill my tag before modern so I can focus on helping my Son get his 1st elk.

Are you good with the bow and the muzzleloader?
If you just want meat, I'd go east with the bow and shoot the 1st fat cow or spike bull you find in an antlerless unit.
If you want to shoot a bull, apply for east and hunt west for branch antlered bulls.

I am great with my bow(killed 2 of my 3 deer with it) I am ok with my muzzy and average with my rifle. I really just want meat and horns would be a bonus. The only thing about east side is I'm not familiar with it and it would cost a fortune to go over there to scout. I will look at harvest reports for the east side to narrow down a couple units to check out this summer.
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: coachcw on April 10, 2013, 12:43:22 PM: early season east side archery is your best bet , I'd kill the first full grown legal animal unless you draw a bull tag . then give it a week . the first couple of days are your best bet before they get buggered up. the late east side seasson can be a crap shoot so dont count on it .
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 10, 2013, 12:45:27 PM: Quote from: coachcw on April 10, 2013, 12:43:22 PM
early season east side archery is your best bet , I'd kill the first full grown legal animal unless you draw a bull tag . then give it a week . the first couple of days are your best bet before they get buggered up. the late east side seasson can be a crap shoot so dont count on it .
:yeah:
Title: Re: Overwhelmed by multi elk tag
Post by: mrmoskillz on April 11, 2013, 08:02:45 AM: Think I will stay on the wet side and in one of the 3point or antlerless units and try to stick the 1st backstrap I see. I might also try the east side :bash: :bash: :bash: Only time will tell. I am looking for someone who wants to help scout and hunt but most likely will be a solo hunt. My main focus now is getting in shape and scouting. I couldnt even sleep last night with visions of elk dancing in my head!