Post by: Ghunt on August 07, 2016, 04:00:48 PM
Post by: cbond3318 on August 07, 2016, 04:43:18 PM
Get after it, could be elk heaven just over the ridge, or just in that next bowl over. Make it happen, I would much rather eat a tag buffet at the end of each season after working hard and getting after than just a teaspoon of tag soup made with a quitters touch. :twocents:
Post by: coachcw on August 07, 2016, 05:36:14 PM
Post by: elkchaser54 on August 07, 2016, 07:17:30 PM
Post by: bracer40 on August 07, 2016, 07:57:06 PM
With that attitude you surely will.Agreed! As big a tool as the right weapon and the expertise to use it well is a positive and "no quit" attitude! This might be one of the most important weapons we carry!
Get after it, could be elk heaven just over the ridge, or just in that next bowl over. Make it happen, I would much rather eat a tag buffet at the end of each season after working hard and getting after than just a teaspoon of tag soup made with a quitters touch. :twocents:
Post by: jackelope on August 07, 2016, 08:11:42 PM
Try getting out of the truck. It helps.
Great assumption. Do you know this guy? I hope so. Otherwise this is a perfect example of why folks don't share stuff anymore.
Post by: boneaddict on August 07, 2016, 08:19:00 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on August 07, 2016, 08:53:59 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on August 07, 2016, 09:10:27 PM
"" If you only came for the meat"
" You came for the wrong reason"
OP find a hunting partner you really enjoy spending time with. It makes all the bad hunting spots more fun.
Many of our camps best years memories are of the years we failed to harvest a animal.
Like the year we got snowed out.
Post by: jmscon on August 07, 2016, 09:13:55 PM
Good luck!
Post by: Don_D on August 07, 2016, 09:17:56 PM
Post by: bracer40 on August 07, 2016, 10:48:30 PM
People put too much creed into pre season scouting. Elk get pushed around so much in this state its crazy. Ever see a herd spooked, how far they will run. Find elk country and you will no doubt find elk when the time is right. Enjoy the hunt.Especially true in the modern season, but applies to most seasons and areas around WA I suspect
Post by: PastorJoel on August 07, 2016, 10:54:08 PM
"" If you only came for the meat"
" You came for the wrong reason"
That's right! You got to get the antlers too!
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 07, 2016, 11:01:25 PM
Went up scouting yesterday where I was hoping would be some elk and unfortunately found nothing. Not even old tracks, old droppings from the winter. Just absolutely nothing. :bash: I really wish everyone a good hunting season this year, :tup: cause I know i'm already eating tag soup.
Dude, sounds like you have a big area to cross off. That is a good thing, believe me. Look at the features (or lack thereof) and try finding an area that has different or better features. North Slope vs South, water or no, how far from roads, elevation, food sources.
Look at the GMU harvest statistics on WDFWs website. Maybe that unit only produces a few kills a year and you need to move on to somewhere elkier. every successful elk hunter has had dozens of days like the one you describe.
Also, and I will end with this. Sometimes it's a random thing. I've killed a lot of animals in areas that I would never see another animal again. I killed a 120" whitetail buck in an area that I've never seen another deer track. I killed a small bull elk a few years back in a spot so close to the road and so far from where elk usually are, you wouldn't believe it. Discouragement should be something you immunize yourself to. Time in the woods is always valuable if you have a student's heart and mind
Post by: elkboy on August 07, 2016, 11:26:17 PM
Post by: Ghunt on August 08, 2016, 12:54:11 AM
Try getting out of the truck. It helps.
Yeah thanks for the tip. Forgot to mention I hiked all day from about 7 in the morning to 5 that evening. Searched around most of the clear cuts, tree lines, spots with mud. Just weren't there.
Post by: Ghunt on August 08, 2016, 01:06:35 AM
Went up scouting yesterday where I was hoping would be some elk and unfortunately found nothing. Not even old tracks, old droppings from the winter. Just absolutely nothing. :bash: I really wish everyone a good hunting season this year, :tup: cause I know i'm already eating tag soup.
Dude, sounds like you have a big area to cross off. That is a good thing, believe me. Look at the features (or lack thereof) and try finding an area that has different or better features. North Slope vs South, water or no, how far from roads, elevation, food sources.
Look at the GMU harvest statistics on WDFWs website. Maybe that unit only produces a few kills a year and you need to move on to somewhere elkier. every successful elk hunter has had dozens of days like the one you describe.
Also, and I will end with this. Sometimes it's a random thing. I've killed a lot of animals in areas that I would never see another animal again. I killed a 120" whitetail buck in an area that I've never seen another deer track. I killed a small bull elk a few years back in a spot so close to the road and so far from where elk usually are, you wouldn't believe it. Discouragement should be something you immunize yourself to. Time in the woods is always valuable if you have a student's heart and mind
I was scouting the North side of GMU 460 around Proctor creek area. Looking at the maps for the area, it all looked good. Except how steep it was all around us. Now i'm not talking about a hill, it was about 80 degrees straight up. I don't know if its just me but I don't think hang around in areas like that. I know they like to come out to clear cuts late in the evening and early in the morning, but not steep cliffs. I looked around at most of the clear cuts that were there and still no sign. No droppings, not tracks, nothing. I was well more than 5 miles in, so I wouldn't expect the highway and roads to push them back even farther than that.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 08, 2016, 05:22:29 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 08, 2016, 09:40:09 AM
Post by: Ghunt on August 08, 2016, 02:50:17 PM
You weren't looking for elk in the Proctor creek area I hope
I was. This is my first year hunting on the west side and thought it would be a good area. I don't know anybody that's a serious hunter so i've only been going off a few things.
Post by: Ghunt on August 08, 2016, 02:51:57 PM
That's your problem. Not many elk hanging out in 460 in general, but especially on the north side of it. There are a few, they tend to be further down the valley and around private land. Head further south in the unit if your dead set on 460. The closer to North Bend you get the better. Puget Sound elk hunting is not really a thing unless its a permit tag in the Nooksack.
I'm able to get some private land up in the nooksack area. Any particular spots to be looking at up there? PM me and I can show you a map of the private land.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 08, 2016, 03:02:48 PM
I think what you need to do rather than just looking for clearcuts and elky looking ground is to do some research. Look in the regs for GMU's that have general seasons, and then also look at areas that are special permit only, or offer special permits. Then look at the harvest statistics for those areas. It will be immediately clear to you which units are worth hunting and which ones aren't. Here is a link for you to check out.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/
As a general rule of thumb, if you want consistent success on elk on the west side, you need to head to the southern or SW part of the state. The further north you go, the fewer animals there are. Most Puget Sound GMU's (407, 448, 460) have a few elk in them, but are VERY hard to find and rarely on public ground. Success rates are extremely low. If you can find elk in an area consistently, keep your mouth shut and tell everyone you killed them in Willapa Hills.
Post by: Ghunt on August 08, 2016, 03:22:18 PM
As far as I know, the Nooksack is all special permit only hunting. No general season at all.
I think what you need to do rather than just looking for clearcuts and elky looking ground is to do some research. Look in the regs for GMU's that have general seasons, and then also look at areas that are special permit only, or offer special permits. Then look at the harvest statistics for those areas. It will be immediately clear to you which units are worth hunting and which ones aren't. Here is a link for you to check out.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/
As a general rule of thumb, if you want consistent success on elk on the west side, you need to head to the southern or SW part of the state. The further north you go, the fewer animals there are. Most Puget Sound GMU's (407, 448, 460) have a few elk in them, but are VERY hard to find and rarely on public ground. Success rates are extremely low. If you can find elk in an area consistently, keep your mouth shut and tell everyone you killed them in Willapa Hills.
Yeah I saw that the nooksack gmu has a only modern general season for deer. Guess this year will just be more scouting and researching.
Post by: cbond3318 on August 08, 2016, 03:32:19 PM
As far as I know, the Nooksack is all special permit only hunting. No general season at all.
I think what you need to do rather than just looking for clearcuts and elky looking ground is to do some research. Look in the regs for GMU's that have general seasons, and then also look at areas that are special permit only, or offer special permits. Then look at the harvest statistics for those areas. It will be immediately clear to you which units are worth hunting and which ones aren't. Here is a link for you to check out.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/
As a general rule of thumb, if you want consistent success on elk on the west side, you need to head to the southern or SW part of the state. The further north you go, the fewer animals there are. Most Puget Sound GMU's (407, 448, 460) have a few elk in them, but are VERY hard to find and rarely on public ground. Success rates are extremely low. If you can find elk in an area consistently, keep your mouth shut and tell everyone you killed them in Willapa Hills.
Yeah I saw that the nooksack gmu has a only modern general season for deer. Guess this year will just be more scouting and researching.
Make sure to bring a weapon....
Post by: 4fletch on August 08, 2016, 08:59:19 PM
Post by: steelhead59 on August 09, 2016, 01:41:01 PM
Post by: Ghunt on August 09, 2016, 02:06:32 PM
I think more elk are killed on private property in Western Washington than are killed in Timber company lands. My last four elk were killed on private property, it only took the balls to knock on a few doors and ask for permission.
What area?
Post by: D-Rock425 on August 09, 2016, 02:10:33 PM
Went up scouting yesterday where I was hoping would be some elk and unfortunately found nothing. Not even old tracks, old droppings from the winter. Just absolutely nothing. :bash: I really wish everyone a good hunting season this year, :tup: cause I know i'm already eating tag soup.sound to me like you already have up.
Post by: bracer40 on August 09, 2016, 05:33:31 PM
But there's a lot U you can learn within this forum about many aspects of elk hunting if you spend the time looking. And by looking, I mean running searches on various topics related to hunting. You'll find all sorts of Intel searching elk hunting, west side Bulls, west side access, etc......brainstorm a list of topics and start searching and reading.
Another avenue worthy of pursuit is seeking out a more experienced hunting partner (s). It was just a few weeks ago I read a thread about an experienced hunter looking for new members for their elk camp. If you're the kind of guy who's willing to work hard and be a good camp participant (or not an Ahole), you can get farther up the learning curve much faster.
Also, don't disregard some of the guys out there turning their experience and expertise into a revenue stream. Corey Jacobson, the Elk Nut ... Couple others....can offer years of learning for the price of a tank or two of gas.
Elk hunting is the coolest thing I do all year long.....it's also something I can "do" all year long.....
Good luck and don't give up!
Post by: Ghunt on August 09, 2016, 08:02:41 PM
Ghunt, it sounds like you're pretty new to elk hunting and are probably willing to work hard to learn. You're not likely to get anyone to give you a spot where you're sure to see elk (unless it's a Nat'l park, it probably doesn't exist anyway).
But there's a lot U you can learn within this forum about many aspects of elk hunting if you spend the time looking. And by looking, I mean running searches on various topics related to hunting. You'll find all sorts of Intel searching elk hunting, west side Bulls, west side access, etc......brainstorm a list of topics and start searching and reading.
Another avenue worthy of pursuit is seeking out a more experienced hunting partner (s). It was just a few weeks ago I read a thread about an experienced hunter looking for new members for their elk camp. If you're the kind of guy who's willing to work hard and be a good camp participant (or not an Ahole), you can get farther up the learning curve much faster.
Also, don't disregard some of the guys out there turning their experience and expertise into a revenue stream. Corey Jacobson, the Elk Nut ... Couple others....can offer years of learning for the price of a tank or two of gas.
Elk hunting is the coolest thing I do all year long.....it's also something I can "do" all year long.....
Good luck and don't give up!
I myself (15) is new to elk hunting yes. But my Dad has had over 15 years of elk hunting experience. He's use to elk hunting Idaho and never hunted in Washington. I'm trying to get as much good info and prove to him that we can hunt over here. Ive read a lot of forum posts on elk hunting over here, looked at all the gmus and harvest reports, and still stumped. It also doesn't help that I can't drive and he works most weeks and weekends so we rarely get out and scout. I think thiss year we are gonna try deer and elk in 448 and see how that goes.
Post by: baker5150 on August 09, 2016, 08:29:33 PM
Ghunt, it sounds like you're pretty new to elk hunting and are probably willing to work hard to learn. You're not likely to get anyone to give you a spot where you're sure to see elk (unless it's a Nat'l park, it probably doesn't exist anyway).
But there's a lot U you can learn within this forum about many aspects of elk hunting if you spend the time looking. And by looking, I mean running searches on various topics related to hunting. You'll find all sorts of Intel searching elk hunting, west side Bulls, west side access, etc......brainstorm a list of topics and start searching and reading.
Another avenue worthy of pursuit is seeking out a more experienced hunting partner (s). It was just a few weeks ago I read a thread about an experienced hunter looking for new members for their elk camp. If you're the kind of guy who's willing to work hard and be a good camp participant (or not an Ahole), you can get farther up the learning curve much faster.
Also, don't disregard some of the guys out there turning their experience and expertise into a revenue stream. Corey Jacobson, the Elk Nut ... Couple others....can offer years of learning for the price of a tank or two of gas.
Elk hunting is the coolest thing I do all year long.....it's also something I can "do" all year long.....
Good luck and don't give up!
I myself (15) is new to elk hunting yes. But my Dad has had over 15 years of elk hunting experience. He's use to elk hunting Idaho and never hunted in Washington. I'm trying to get as much good info and prove to him that we can hunt over here. Ive read a lot of forum posts on elk hunting over here, looked at all the gmus and harvest reports, and still stumped. It also doesn't help that I can't drive and he works most weeks and weekends so we rarely get out and scout. I think thiss year we are gonna try deer and elk in 448 and see how that goes.
Being that young you do have some limitations. Best advise I can give is keep at it. You seam to have the drive. Just don't give up. Being discouraged is natural human behavior. Roll with it. Enjoy it. Trust me, when you see that elk standing broadside within range for the first time, youll know it was all worth it.
Post by: Ghunt on August 09, 2016, 08:39:11 PM
Ghunt, it sounds like you're pretty new to elk hunting and are probably willing to work hard to learn. You're not likely to get anyone to give you a spot where you're sure to see elk (unless it's a Nat'l park, it probably doesn't exist anyway).
But there's a lot U you can learn within this forum about many aspects of elk hunting if you spend the time looking. And by looking, I mean running searches on various topics related to hunting. You'll find all sorts of Intel searching elk hunting, west side Bulls, west side access, etc......brainstorm a list of topics and start searching and reading.
Another avenue worthy of pursuit is seeking out a more experienced hunting partner (s). It was just a few weeks ago I read a thread about an experienced hunter looking for new members for their elk camp. If you're the kind of guy who's willing to work hard and be a good camp participant (or not an Ahole), you can get farther up the learning curve much faster.
Also, don't disregard some of the guys out there turning their experience and expertise into a revenue stream. Corey Jacobson, the Elk Nut ... Couple others....can offer years of learning for the price of a tank or two of gas.
Elk hunting is the coolest thing I do all year long.....it's also something I can "do" all year long.....
Good luck and don't give up!
I myself (15) is new to elk hunting yes. But my Dad has had over 15 years of elk hunting experience. He's use to elk hunting Idaho and never hunted in Washington. I'm trying to get as much good info and prove to him that we can hunt over here. Ive read a lot of forum posts on elk hunting over here, looked at all the gmus and harvest reports, and still stumped. It also doesn't help that I can't drive and he works most weeks and weekends so we rarely get out and scout. I think thiss year we are gonna try deer and elk in 448 and see how that goes.
Being that young you do have some limitations. Best advise I can give is keep at it. You seam to have the drive. Just don't give up. Being discouraged is natural human behavior. Roll with it. Enjoy it. Trust me, when you see that elk standing broadside within range for the first time, youll know it was all worth it.
Thanks, ever since my dad brought home his biggest bull, I've always wanted to go with him. Just got to keep at it.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 11, 2016, 07:45:40 AM
People put too much creed into pre season scouting. Elk get pushed around so much in this state its crazy. Ever see a herd spooked, how far they will run. Find elk country and you will no doubt find elk when the time is right. Enjoy the hunt.I don't really scout for animals as much as I'm scouting the terrain. By the time my season opens there's already been archery and muzzleloader early seasons as well as tribal season. I just kind of go to see where new clear cuts are, which roads are washed out, what bridges are fixed or out, if a trail is still usable. Maybe do a little maintenance. Now if it is a week before the opener, then it seems practical to go find the animals. Just didn't seem like finding bulls in a bachelor herd up on a grassy ridge in August was going to be money in the bank for November.
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 11, 2016, 08:15:22 AM
Nooksack will take you 15 years to draw a permit, dont get too excited.
The only positive thing about hunting in places where there are no elk is that you'll have little competition and have the forest all to yourself, because everyone else hunting will be where the elk generally are.
For elk, its not about where is suitable habitat, but rather where have people and WDFW allowed elk to live. I'm sure there were thriving populations along HWY 2 into leavenworth and wenatchee and even on the West side as well, but there's not enough winter ground in these areas for elk and they're basically not permitted or encouraged to exist.
448 is probably fine if you want deer and bear. Really, same with 460... If you want to find an elk look at places where they live and have general seasons for starters. Down south on the west side or head to the east side of the cascades (also... i90 and south). You could drive to the other side of the state as well but it sounds like you don't want to do that.
Also, you probably will eat tag soup this year, along with at least 85% of the rest of elk hunters. Its okay, it makes that one year when you connect all the better. Put yourself in a place to succeed (where elk live) and pay your dues, you never know when one will stumble across you.
Post by: Rainier10 on August 11, 2016, 08:19:46 AM
You should probably look at real harvest reports online. You have about 1000000% more chance of running into a bear in 448 than you do an elk. The loggers that end up taking the one or 2 out of 448 each year are in the woods every day and probably kill the only two animals in there. It is DEFINITELY not worth your time for elk. You don't even have to do more research. Flat out do not expect to find elk in 448.Great post on a lot of levels.
Nooksack will take you 15 years to draw a permit, dont get too excited.
The only positive thing about hunting in places where there are no elk is that you'll have little competition and have the forest all to yourself, because everyone else hunting will be where the elk generally are.
For elk, its not about where is suitable habitat, but rather where have people and WDFW allowed elk to live. I'm sure there were thriving populations along HWY 2 into leavenworth and wenatchee and even on the West side as well, but there's not enough winter ground in these areas for elk and they're basically not permitted or encouraged to exist.
448 is probably fine if you want deer and bear. Really, same with 460... If you want to find an elk look at places where they live and have general seasons for starters. Down south on the west side or head to the east side of the cascades (also... i90 and south). You could drive to the other side of the state as well but it sounds like you don't want to do that.
Also, you probably will eat tag soup this year, along with at least 85% of the rest of elk hunters. Its okay, it makes that one year when you connect all the better. Put yourself in a place to succeed (where elk live) and pay your dues, you never know when one will stumble across you.
Post by: hqdan on August 11, 2016, 08:40:56 AM
Post by: Ghunt on August 11, 2016, 10:37:57 AM
You should probably look at real harvest reports online. You have about 1000000% more chance of running into a bear in 448 than you do an elk. The loggers that end up taking the one or 2 out of 448 each year are in the woods every day and probably kill the only two animals in there. It is DEFINITELY not worth your time for elk. You don't even have to do more research. Flat out do not expect to find elk in 448.
Nooksack will take you 15 years to draw a permit, dont get too excited.
The only positive thing about hunting in places where there are no elk is that you'll have little competition and have the forest all to yourself, because everyone else hunting will be where the elk generally are.
For elk, its not about where is suitable habitat, but rather where have people and WDFW allowed elk to live. I'm sure there were thriving populations along HWY 2 into leavenworth and wenatchee and even on the West side as well, but there's not enough winter ground in these areas for elk and they're basically not permitted or encouraged to exist.
448 is probably fine if you want deer and bear. Really, same with 460... If you want to find an elk look at places where they live and have general seasons for starters. Down south on the west side or head to the east side of the cascades (also... i90 and south). You could drive to the other side of the state as well but it sounds like you don't want to do that.
Also, you probably will eat tag soup this year, along with at least 85% of the rest of elk hunters. Its okay, it makes that one year when you connect all the better. Put yourself in a place to succeed (where elk live) and pay your dues, you never know when one will stumble across you.
Thank for the good info. The only reason i'm not hunting the spots with elk i that I started out late this year and wasn't able to put in any places. I was thinking do a season for elk in 448 and cover even more ground scouting for deer, but still have the possibility to kill an elk. I've read what everyone told me to do about harvest reports and I can see that most of the elk are south/ south-east rainer. I get that. I dont have the time to drive down to rainer every weekend or another and scout it. By next year I probably will, when I can drive. The day I wrote the beginning of the thread I was real butthurt but I got over that and realise that I can't just give up now. But, still wishing everyone a good hunting season :tup:
Post by: 4fletch on August 11, 2016, 01:45:10 PM
Post by: badnewskruse on August 11, 2016, 05:48:03 PM
Try getting out of the truck. It helps.
Great assumption. Do you know this guy? I hope so. Otherwise this is a perfect example of why folks don't share stuff anymore.
no kiddin >:(
Post by: Ghunt on August 11, 2016, 06:06:52 PM
Try getting out of the truck. It helps.
Great assumption. Do you know this guy? I hope so. Otherwise this is a perfect example of why folks don't share stuff anymore.
no kiddin >:(
Even harder being a new guy
Post by: Dslayer on August 11, 2016, 07:21:58 PM
People put too much creed into pre season scouting. Elk get pushed around so much in this state its crazy. Ever see a herd spooked, how far they will run. Find elk country and you will no doubt find elk when the time is right. Enjoy the hunt.
Absolutely the most intelligent commentary I've ever seen on elk hunting and hunting in general. It only takes one. ONE.