Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Tbob on February 24, 2014, 11:56:40 AM

Title: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbob on February 24, 2014, 11:56:40 AM: Hey all I'm new here and love this site.. I've been a lurker for awhile now. So anyways, I decided to get an early jump on scouting a new spot for early archery elk this year ( not had much luck in my other area) so I went out to the Westside of WA to look for a Rosie area. The first gate I parked at the dog and I jumped out and hit it... I checked every spur road and probably put on 6-7 miles and still only saw such a small part of this particular rd. So what I found was elk pooh EVERYWHERE I was! I couldn't go more than 25 ft and not see another pile I counted probably 60-80 rubs on trees, out in the open, on the spur roads, in the timber, Iean they were everywhere I looked! There was big Timber next to some large clear-cuts. There was that crazy thick reprod crap ( about 15ft tall everywhere ) the kind you'd have to crawl through if it weren't for the blackberry bushes.. So I'm going to continue to scout all year as much as possible, but how would you guys hunt this area come early archery season? Love to hear how it should be done. From my first trip out it definitely seems like there's plenty of elk in there.. Oh and I don't remember seeing one deer track all day nor any deer pooh.. Didn't find any sheds or any bones or anything for that matter. So most of the sign I saw was on the little spur roads that were very grown over with 10-12 ft tall saplings and it's so thick I don't think you could get a shot off cleanly in there.. So just curious how you guys would approach an area like this? Thanks..
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: xXLojackXx on February 24, 2014, 12:03:06 PM: If I found areas that have a lot of elk sign and is rather thick with vegetation, I would spend the spring and summer clearing trails and shooting lanes that connect bedding and feeding areas. The elk will use them as well once they find them. Just make sure they aren't very noticeable otherwise if it's relatively easy access, people will find them.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: bobcat on February 24, 2014, 12:18:09 PM: First thing is I'd be checking out that timber, see if they've been in there. I bet they use that timber at times. See if it's huntable, you might concentrate on the edges between the timber and the reprod.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: boneaddict on February 24, 2014, 12:27:30 PM: I'd probably pull out of the area (especially with the dog) and show back up towards the end of April. Probably a big wintering group in there and with the rubs, some bulls. They tend to shed mostly at the end of March to the end of April.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2014, 12:51:10 PM: What to do with scouting info? Post it here :tup: MLA format please
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

I'd recommend writing everything down for yourself and being honest with yourself as you continue to scout it. You can convince yourself that an area is better than you think just because you know it.

Also important to look for escape routes and tough-to-access bedding areas that elk will go to when they're pressured.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Giggles on February 24, 2014, 04:34:04 PM: Sounds like you found an area where the bulls like to rub in Sept. I found an area similar to that last year that also had a few open areas; maybe 1/2 to an acre in size. Had nice pics of bulls, cows and calves all summer long coming into a mineral site. Put a tree stand up and cameras if you have any. Trust your trail cams for the times the elk are coming in. Last year 90% of my pics were mid afternoon; zero at night. Of course My friend and I were there well before daylight, but didn't see any elk in there until mid afternoon...just as the cams told us.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: billythekidrock on February 24, 2014, 04:52:44 PM: I would first find out if it was legal to hunt and who owns it.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on February 24, 2014, 05:18:35 PM: Welcome to western Washington, In my experience, Roosies will hang in one section of the main drainage/road system for a week to 12 days, then go find a similar spot in the next section...
Pay attention to what it is they are eating, and think about terrain features, where else have you seen this?
Biggest problem is, what they eat changes, certain times they will be eating one thing, a few weeks later they will be eating another..
How I would scout it would be when you walk to the end of one of those spurs, tighten your laces and follow the trail off the end of the spur (there is ALWAYS a trail) and go see what is in the bottom.
Find the main crossings, look for wide trails, shooting lanes etc...
If there are elk in the area, come hunting season, that's were you will find them, using trails away from the road to escape pressure.
If you have done your homework, you know how they will pass you on there way to another spot...
Knowing what trails they will take to get from one place to another is very beneficial, especially if you know where they are, but cannot go after them because of wind, just back out, and try to get a better position.
Scouting (to me) is more about the woods, than the animals... that's what hunting season is for, hunting is just finishing the puzzle...
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbob on February 24, 2014, 06:45:31 PM: Thanks a Ton for all the great advise everybody.. Good call on leaving the dog home from here on out. It's just tough to tell him he can't come.. He gives me " the look" ya know.. So yes it is legal to hunt the area. It is Owen by Hancock Timber and I even called just to check about the access. They said as long as I'm not camping driving or making a fire back there it's all good to hunt it.. Thanks again for the feed back. I knew someone would say to follow those little trails at the end of those spur roads... Man there super thick! Guess I know what I'll be doing next time ( which will be April ish) thanks.. Still looking to take my first elk after a few years of hunting.. Self taught solo hunter here and the learning curve is pretty crazy for some of us! HA!!
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: turkeyfeather on February 24, 2014, 06:48:17 PM: Quote from: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2014, 12:51:10 PM

I'd recommend writing everything down for yourself and being honest with yourself as you continue to scout it. You can convince yourself that an area is better than you think just because you know it.

I found myself guilty of this last season. Gonna start over this year.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on February 25, 2014, 08:21:10 AM: Ya, don't be afraid of the thick stuff, you will find that after a while it opens up pretty good.
You just have the area next to the roads, once you get in a ways and on the actual game trails, it gets easier.
...........
I use my maps/gps to find out road patterns and walk one road in, and a different one out.
but my point was that (my opinion) learning the area is more important than seeing animals while scouting.
In my experience, being able to get in a good spot before daylight, by having a plan, and having intimate knowledge of the area, is why I scout.
I "scout" all year long, but I actually look for animals closer to opening day, they have different needs in Sept than they do the rest of the year ...
When I see animals before, or during season, I have an idea where they are going to be traveling because of my scouting.
I can get ahead of other hunters, and have them push the animals to me.
If I "bump" them during season, I can back out and try from a different direction.
If someone else beats me to a gate, I have another one to fall back on.
that's what scouting is for (again my opinion)
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 25, 2014, 10:30:34 AM: Quote from: turkeyfeather on February 24, 2014, 06:48:17 PM
Quote from: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2014, 12:51:10 PM

I'd recommend writing everything down for yourself and being honest with yourself as you continue to scout it. You can convince yourself that an area is better than you think just because you know it.

I found myself guilty of this last season. Gonna start over this year.

I found an area that had five 4pt or greater bucks, a few of them 130+ but they only passed through once or twice a month.

I became afraid to move the stand setup because I didn't want to lose them but it turned out to be a dud as soon as September rolled around.

I got out, scouted it, and found a watering area about .5 miles away from where the stand was :tup: and lots more game trails. Not to mention, it is about a mile from the road now vs. .3 miles.

Good luck Turkeyfeather
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbob on February 25, 2014, 09:27:06 PM: Once again great advise!! Thanks so much! I totally understand about not seeing animals while out scouting this time of year. And I'll definitely take your advise and get on those thick game trails.. I rarely follow them to far off the road. Maybe about 20-30 yards and it's SO thick so I usually just turn back.. I'll be more vigillant and stay on them to see where they end up. I'm guessing this is why I eat my tag every year?!. Next time I go out I'm going to hop on my bike and cover more ground as well. I'm going to take a note pad out with me and make sure I keep good records of the area, trails, roads and gates.. Going to go get a few trail cameras this weekend as well to set up and see what might be around.. Thanks again for all the great insight.. I was getting so frustrated and almost ready to throw in the towel. After several years of nothing and a few seasons of not even seeing anything it gets a guy down ya know.? Makes it really hard to be motivated to get up the next morning in the cold dark rain.. This definitely has me stoked to get out there and do things a little (or very) different this year!!
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: 4fletch on February 25, 2014, 10:26:49 PM: GPS is a fantastic tool , if you can park away from the spot or hide your vehicle and hike in the less chance of somebody else finding your spot
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbar on February 25, 2014, 10:41:42 PM: If this is Hancock off hwy 410 you will need a pass even to walk in. If it's east of mud Mt dam rd it's a permit draw area (653).
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: bobcat on February 25, 2014, 11:51:42 PM: Quote from: Tbar on February 25, 2014, 10:41:42 PM
If this is Hancock off hwy 410 you will need a pass even to walk in. If it's east of mud Mt dam rd it's a permit draw area (653).

He said he called Hancock and was told he could hunt there.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbob on February 26, 2014, 08:42:57 AM: Thanks for looking out Tbar, but like Bobcat said I did call and I'm in a permit free area. I called and the lady there was very nice and polite. Told me to hike and hunt all I want as long as I didn't camp, make a fire, drive behind the gate or block the gate. Thanks..
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: notellumcreek on February 26, 2014, 09:42:20 AM: Quote from: Tbob on February 24, 2014, 06:45:31 PM
It is Owen by Hancock Timber and I even called just to check about the access. They said as long as I'm not camping driving or making a fire back there it's all good to hunt it..

They informed you of the purchase of a permit I hope... I dont know of any area that is owned by hancock where you don't need at least a walk-in permit.

Either way it is worth it especially if it is walk in only area, I have noticed that majority of hancock pass holders like to hunt from their rigs... I am guilty of this at times :chuckle:
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: bobcat on February 26, 2014, 09:48:37 AM: I know of lots of Hancock land that can be hunted without any kind of permit. It's not in the "Enumscratch" area though.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: Tbob on February 26, 2014, 10:00:16 AM: No permit required. It's out on the coast.
Title: Re: What to do with scouting info?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on February 26, 2014, 05:57:29 PM: No elk there!!!