Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: TroutBum73 on June 13, 2016, 03:36:07 PM

Title: GMU 336
Post by: TroutBum73 on June 13, 2016, 03:36:07 PM: New member here, so forgive me if this has been brought up before. Also, please don't feel that I'm discouraged, or disappointed, in any way about drawing a muzzy cow permit as I know many hunters who didn't draw anything and are quite bummed. With that being said, I drew a skinhead permit for the GMU 336 unit (Oct. 1st-7th). Did I just blow the few points I did have? Harvest reports show that there may be a few elk in the area but not with alarming success rates. I'm in my early 40's and went in with my Dad and his hunting partner(my Godfather) of nearly 50 years. They are 70 years old, one of them still thinks he can top the ridge as fast as most 20 year olds, and the other quite frankly, the tread is tired. Want to make this possible one last hunting trip with my pops and Godfather memorable. It will be anyways whether we are tag successful or not but any advice as to tackle this challenge, game wise, would greatly be appreciated? I would describe myself as "pretty old school, they are where you find them," but there has to be better parts of the unit than others. Dad and I are going to scout. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: Mfowl on June 13, 2016, 04:33:05 PM: Behind the yellow gates are where the bulk of the elk reside in 336. There are plenty to be found throughout the GMU but naturally you have to cover lots of ground to find them. Your most effective scouting will be between the end of archery and the start of muzzy. Steep, deep and north facing slopes is the general rule. My hunting group has had ML cow tags in there the last couple years and we have been into elk every season with a couple of spikes to show for our efforts. No draw for me this year but I'll likely be in there as a weekend warrior for atleast the start of ML season. Crowds weren't too bad last year. You'll see plenty of guys on the roads but I rarely encounter any in the timber. One other thing, it can be some thick cover. I've been in range of elk several times with no shot due to the dense timber and under brush. Good luck, hope you have a fun hunt!
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: TroutBum73 on June 14, 2016, 07:55:37 AM: Thanks MFOWL. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: de0827 on June 14, 2016, 08:31:03 AM: Quote from: Mfowl on June 13, 2016, 04:33:05 PM
Behind the yellow gates are where the bulk of the elk reside in 336. There are plenty to be found throughout the GMU but naturally you have to cover lots of ground to find them. Your most effective scouting will be between the end of archery and the start of muzzy. Steep, deep and north facing slopes is the general rule. My hunting group has had ML cow tags in there the last couple years and we have been into elk every season with a couple of spikes to show for our efforts. No draw for me this year but I'll likely be in there as a weekend warrior for atleast the start of ML season. Crowds weren't too bad last year. You'll see plenty of guys on the roads but I rarely encounter any in the timber. One other thing, it can be some thick cover. I've been in range of elk several times with no shot due to the dense timber and under brush. Good luck, hope you have a fun hunt!

When you say you got a couple spikes to show for your efforts, does that mean you are able to shoot a spike with a cow tag? Or was that just guys with regular tags and not the special draw cow tags? Thanks
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 14, 2016, 08:39:25 AM: Our group has drawn cow tags the past 4 years. But when you have other hunts to help out on or draw a bull permit the cow tag goes unnotched. It will happen again this year. Quality hunt to go on. So there will probably be 3 unotched cow tags. It is not hard to fill a cow tag in this unit. It's huge and holds a lot of elk. From what I see when I'm out is people hunting the road and not getting far from the truck. Use google earth and find spots away from the road and you should do fine.
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: Mfowl on June 14, 2016, 09:13:24 AM: Quote from: de0827 on June 14, 2016, 08:31:03 AM
Quote from: Mfowl on June 13, 2016, 04:33:05 PM
Behind the yellow gates are where the bulk of the elk reside in 336. There are plenty to be found throughout the GMU but naturally you have to cover lots of ground to find them. Your most effective scouting will be between the end of archery and the start of muzzy. Steep, deep and north facing slopes is the general rule. My hunting group has had ML cow tags in there the last couple years and we have been into elk every season with a couple of spikes to show for our efforts. No draw for me this year but I'll likely be in there as a weekend warrior for atleast the start of ML season. Crowds weren't too bad last year. You'll see plenty of guys on the roads but I rarely encounter any in the timber. One other thing, it can be some thick cover. I've been in range of elk several times with no shot due to the dense timber and under brush. Good luck, hope you have a fun hunt!

When you say you got a couple spikes to show for your efforts, does that mean you are able to shoot a spike with a cow tag? Or was that just guys with regular tags and not the special draw cow tags? Thanks

When you draw a cow tag you can still shoot a spike as part of the otc general hunt, your tag is still valid for that. The cow tag just allows you to take an antlerless elk during the given season.
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: Stalker on June 14, 2016, 09:27:12 AM: Sent you a PM
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: TroutBum73 on June 14, 2016, 09:42:41 AM: Got it Stalker. Thank you for that. Again, new to the site, but am amazed at all the knowledge and willingness to help out our hunting brothers.
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: kevinlisa06 on June 14, 2016, 08:18:36 PM: Good luck to ya we have 3 cow tags for modern season
Title: Re: GMU 336
Post by: Jpmiller on June 16, 2016, 04:59:45 PM: I drew a cow tag this year as well. After not hunting the area for about ten years I was up last weekend trying to refamiliarize myself. A lot of the old roads weren't maintained and there has not been a ton of logging recently.

That being said I always found that as in most places getting off both open and closed roads put me into elk there. The snow is gone already so I would recommend going up and seeing the area if you haven't hunted it before. There are plenty of elk, especially if you are up for finding them in timber.