Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: moocher97 on June 15, 2015, 10:59:28 PM
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I plan on doing a coastal elk hunt this year but have only hunted elk on the east side and some gmu's in south western WA. that being said I dont really know what type of hunting it is, if its more of spot and stalk or still hunting. And for those of you who have hunted the coastal units how is it different and what tips could you share. My dad pactically guided on the rivers up there going up there 2 times a week in the drift boat. He also said there are many spots to hunt along the river specically the Hoh. Would it be practical to start at the national park and drift down the river hunting in different spots on the way down? Any tips are greatly appriciated. Would also be interested in maybe trading info for additional help like maps and such. I have a pretty good knowledge of good duck hunting spots throughout washington if that might intrest you in anyway.
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Mosquitoes flock to me so it's hell on occasion. Hell
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Mosquitoes flock to me so it's hell on occasion. Hell
Don't forget the hoards of no-see-ums (tiny black biting gnats) that are present in the zillions around elk herds, particularly, if you're hunting the edges of a clear cut. Long sleeves and gloves are oftentimes the wardrobe of necessity during SEP "over thisaway".
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:yeah: I have thought about soaking in deet and just playing the wind. It gets crazy and they don't bother the other guys that are with me. :bash:
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Ive never really thought of that being a huge problem but im definetly not a fan of bugs. In the new cabelas catalog theres this under armor called bug skinz that supposedly keeps the bugs probiscus from going threw. Im sure that sould be a factor when pulling back on an elk . Oh yea im also doing archery !
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Wanted to do the same on the same river.i have hunted the late hunts on oly pen back in the 70 threw 85 ish. Are you hunting bulls and cows. Are you calling. How many days will you be hunting?
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I would think calling would be my first choice , spot and stalk would be the later. Never hunted in sept. But if you are hunting bulls I'm would think the bulls would respond to calling also. In the river bottoms that I have hunted Clearwater for example when you are stalking or following e elk or the herd you may not be able to see to get your bearings so it's really a plus to have a gps and a compass
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What weapon? Bugs only seem to be an issue until mid Oct.
Usually lots of rain and wet plants that soak nearly every thing. Driftboats are good for packing out elk. But mostly after the early muzz season is over you want to cover lots of ground and find the herds hoping there's a legal bull in it.
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What weapon type and what unit(s) are you thinking about hunting?
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Is been many moons since I hunted over there but if you want to be ready I suggest this based on my foggy memory:
Find a very steep hill that is 8in deep with mud, bury your pickup to the axles in a wash out road. Spend 4 hours with a handy man jack and no shovel getting it out only to discover you forgot to lock in the hubs. Get out and get your gear on, don't matter what gear because you will be soaked to the skin and caked in mud. Navigate your way down the hill while having 100 of your closest friends whip you in the face with devil's club and assorted small limbs. Then turn around and go back up through your "friends" to the truck only to find out the heater fan in your truck quit and your coffee is cold. Should be a great time. :tup: If you are lucky, you will get to go back up the hill with 100 extra pounds on your back.
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:chuckle: you forgot to mention the viney maple obstacle course. Spot and stalk can turn into I can't even see the bull that's 15 yds away.
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You might take as many fishing trip / scouting trips down the river after you find out where the better areas are let us know how the fishing was
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steep hills + Mud + loud salal + devils club + vine maple + sticker bushes + thinned down timber obstacle fields + more steep hills + salmon berries + natives + logging trucks hauling ass down one lane roads + 100 zillion mosquitos + fog + torrential rain + being soaked to the bone all day
= Coastal elk hunting
Bring it on!
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I'll be doing archery so it would be the 12-24 of September. I just got a primos mouth reed pack so I'm practicing on my bugles which I'm getting input back from my dad. As for units it would be the sol duc and maybe Clearwater. I've found google earth to be helpful as to finding spots which brings me to another question which is what to look for as in elevation or how far from water and clearcuts.
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I would say take a drive out scouting. Elk gates are open now until Sep 1st. Google earth is a couple years behind on the clear cut and road building show that has been going on out there for about a year and a half. Usually so many people bouncing around in those areas during a general season that they hole up after a day or two of lots of car and people activity. Early I see them up high on the old landings that are now grassy. Then they get spooky.
I made a quick sketch. With all the log roads, they seem to like the drainages that don't have roads low. But don't mind the ones that have roads up high on the ridges. When the areas were logged a long time ago, they left timber down near the creeks in those drainages. That is old dark timber, where they can see far, run fast and hide in the shadows.
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My personal preference for hunting SW Washington (and this isn't just the coast) is to go in behind locked gates on logging roads and get up high then bugle down into draws/drainages with a locater bugle. When I hear an elk I try to get in close and talk him in with bugles or cow calls depending upon his mood. It is also possible to spot and stalk in clear cuts or along logging roads as long as you see them before they see you. Clear cuts can be tough because they are so noisy. If you know elk are feeding down from timber up above you can wait in ambush. I have never actually had it come together with this last approach for various reasons, but have had many close calls.
I have had more than one game bio suggest coming in by boat to areas that are hard for other hunters to get to and then tie up and hunt on foot. I haven't tried this technique, but it sounds promising.
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When google earthing areas I try and find clear cuts close by. Is this nescesary or would it be better to find a more remote spot with out a clearcut and just thick timber and water?
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It looks like a ghost or its invisible, best of luck and don't forget your inferred,being a Rimrock hunter all I can say is I would love some of your problems.
