Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 07:03:42 PM

Title: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 07:03:42 PM: Last year I cashed in my quality bull points and killed a nice bull in Tucannon. I still have 16 Bull points and not sure what unit to put in for. looking for an area to have a fair chance at a mature bull. Now that Im retired and can travel and put boots on the ground to scout I can go most anywhere in the state. I want to burn my Washington points so I can start hunting out of state.

Thanks

PMs are welcome
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: MADMAX on December 17, 2017, 07:50:04 PM: 328
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 08:16:29 PM: Madmax,
you have a PM
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 17, 2017, 08:27:16 PM: Congratulations!! In WA you don't "cash in" points...you just get extremely lucky!!
The BULL tags are just as hard to draw so don't plan on "cashing in" right away. I think that most of the central units will give you a shot at a great bull if you put in the effort.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 08:49:30 PM: MrM
You are correct sir, that was poor choice of words on my part. I was lucky to draw that tag. I hope to get lucky again and use the rest (or at least some) of my points in several catagories. it took 18 to draw Tucannon. I have nearly that many in anterless elk, moose, sheep, quality deer bla bla bla...
Im no stranger to putting in time, effort and money.

Thank You
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: X-Force on December 17, 2017, 08:54:43 PM: There aren’t any bull permits in 328.

If it were me an looking for a unique experience I would look at the 506* bull permits. Wilderness/monument areas. Mature but not giant bulls, awesome country.

Mid October hunts with rut activity. They would be fun.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: MADMAX on December 17, 2017, 09:03:51 PM: My bad on 328
Quality vs Bull error
Thanks for clarifying
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 09:08:14 PM: 506 willapa hills or 560 Lewis river? I have over 20 years in both units. 560 has some nice bulls few and far between but beautiful country. early 80 through mid 90s that was the tag to have.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: X-Force on December 17, 2017, 09:16:46 PM: 5064,5065,5066

They aren’t full GMU’s they are elk areas around St. Helens.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 17, 2017, 09:25:27 PM: XF,
Got ya. That makes way more sense. Thanks for the clarification, love when I embarrass myself in public
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: emac on December 18, 2017, 08:27:12 AM: You got a picture of your tucannon bull. And like said the central units are good ones

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: whacker1 on December 18, 2017, 11:56:45 AM: following along
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: Rainier10 on December 18, 2017, 12:52:33 PM: There just aren't a bunch of bull elk units to choose from for archery. Looking like going to the wetside and maybe even changing up my weapon choice would be the way to go.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: hunterofelk on December 18, 2017, 01:12:29 PM: The Norse Peak area might be pretty good in the next few years.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: trophyhunt on December 18, 2017, 01:32:41 PM: 346 bull rifle tag, good choice.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: luvmystang67 on December 19, 2017, 09:54:43 AM: I had a great hunt in the St Helens units. It was TOUGH and I didn't get an animal, but experience wise it was almost as cool as it gets. I highly recommend. There aren't really a ton of big bulls in the area, quite a few raghorns though. If you're not feeling like a mountain climber its probably best to shy away as well. :twocents:
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: jstone on December 19, 2017, 12:03:24 PM: Blues
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 19, 2017, 12:14:11 PM: ID
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: Rainier10 on December 19, 2017, 12:15:31 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on December 19, 2017, 12:14:11 PM
ID
:yeah:
I'm in the same boat as the OP, drew a quality tag last year. 16 points for regular bull next year. After that I am off to ID or maybe a run at the raffle tags.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 19, 2017, 06:55:33 PM: Thanks for all the input both here and PMs. I will start checking out the Mt Saint Helens units as well as White River. The Blues would be great but thats Quality rather than Bull, still open to more ideas. 'Bout done with my home state after 48yrs of hunting and 60yrs of living.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 20, 2017, 11:56:43 AM: It depends on the type of hunt your looking for and if "caliber" of bull is a factor.

IMO with your points I think your past the st helens tags. Unless you hunt westside every year and that limits your hunt choices. The pros: Decent elk herd. Especially bulls. Not alot of company. It sounds like it might be close so scouting may be easier.
Cons: elk herd declining, stock options and access limited depending on area, and possibly the biggest, bulls are stunted. From what i have seen a 260 ishbull is a high but realistic goal with good scouting and if all goes well on the hunt with weather etc. Anything bigger is a unicorn.

The White River is a decent option. With possibility for some dandy bulls. Downsides are tribal hunting and access has made the unit less desidesirable. I know guys that have killed some good bulls recently, as well as guys that have hunted it hard and have not. The reports seem to be the same, hunting is tough regardless. Do alot of research and if it were me I would take the week before season to focus on locating a bull as they seem to move a bit after the rut.

I am in a similar boat with 14 points and zeroed out quality this year. I prefer archery and if i pick an OTC tag I am limited on choices here. I am fortunate to hunt multiple states however and am strongly considering going eastside rifle until i draw. Will be putting in for 300 series tags. I dont think you can go wrong with that option if its something that you could make work for you.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: kentrek on December 20, 2017, 12:06:40 PM: Be careful about putting in for the st hellens tags....the last two years have not been kind up there....hoof rot is taking its toll.....a ton of winter kills up there....pretty sad
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 20, 2017, 12:13:15 PM: 2 years? I would say the better part of the last 10 years :dunno:
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: kentrek on December 20, 2017, 12:51:38 PM: Quote from: blackveltbowhunter on December 20, 2017, 12:13:15 PM
2 years? I would say the better part of the last 10 years :dunno:

Yes definitely....but im talking upper elk zones specifically, and esp in the last two years the hoof rot has gone further east into those areas
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 20, 2017, 01:27:36 PM: Gotcha. I agree. Used to be only saw bad kill around the flow and rot on private timber. Nothing safe the last few years for sure.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: backcountry55 on December 22, 2017, 08:46:59 AM: do not put in for around mt st helens! its a joke unless you want a possibility at a dink 5pt! with those points put in for mid 300 units!
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: trophyhunt on December 22, 2017, 09:57:48 AM: Quote from: backcountry55 on December 22, 2017, 08:46:59 AM
do not put in for around mt st helens! its a joke unless you want a possibility at a dink 5pt! with those points put in for mid 300 units!
:yeah:
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: 71Shovelhead on December 22, 2017, 08:25:20 PM: I have killed lots of "Dinks" and one good bull. Would like a chance at another mature bull. Not looking for a monster (had my chance and Fu fu fu messed up) most likely will never have a chance like that again.
Title: Re: 16 Bull elk points what unit question
Post by: Mallardmasher on January 04, 2018, 10:53:10 PM: I keep trying for Dayton, but with 28 points, what else is there.