Post by: Parasite on March 26, 2019, 12:30:41 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 26, 2019, 12:35:38 PM
Post by: jstone on March 26, 2019, 12:42:29 PM
Enjoy nature. I get out before daylight and take in the sounds of the elk bugling before the sun comes up. The birds. Watch the sun come up over the skyline. Let the busy life fade away. I take naps on the hill side sometimes. It’s the best nap you will ever take. Just enjoy the moment and life. If and when you get an animal. It’s the icing on the cake. Don’t stress
Have a blast and good luck
Post by: RB on March 26, 2019, 12:55:59 PM
Archery, an RV, a gallon or two of good bourbon, and about 30 cigars. Leave the wife at home unless she can pack meat. Don't eat any pepperoni from a guy named PlateauNDN. You might also go somewhere where there are elk. That's however, not a requirement for a good time.
:yeah:
Sage advice right there!
Here is what can be fun, pick a unit, east west does not matter. You will most likely stay drier on the east though. Get a map find public land and go find a camp spot. You going to tent? RV? Hotel? it all works a lot of guys on here have gotten animals no matter where or how they stayed.
Pick ridge, drainage, trail which ever you decide and head out. If you are going solo always let someone know where you will be and rough time you will be back. Also if going solo invest in a Delorme in reach :two cents:
Walk some ridges, drive some miles, and get to know the area so each season it gets a little easier to find your way around, and find animals.
Most of all have fun!
Best of luck
Post by: 7mmfan on March 26, 2019, 12:57:36 PM
I love exploring new country, and it’s all new for you so go into it with that mindset and you’re set.
Post by: Stein on March 26, 2019, 01:16:38 PM
The actual hunting part depends on how you like to hunt. I would say don't change the way you hunt because someone says it is better. If you are enjoying yourself and it's legal, that's the right way.
Post by: Parasite on March 26, 2019, 02:58:44 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on March 26, 2019, 03:27:34 PM
Post by: dvolmer on March 26, 2019, 03:43:29 PM
Post by: b0bbyg on March 26, 2019, 04:02:47 PM
If you are going archery start practicing now, then you will know your limits and what you are comfortable with if you get a shot.
Archery also has more opportunity to get up close with critters and have adrenalin moments that can make the day feel successful without even getting off a shot.
Spend lots of time out there just seeing and learning, every day/season you learn new things see something different. Don't put too much pressure on yourself early just experiment and learn, even the best hunters sometimes just stumble into a great shot opportunity. I bet most of my good chances were on the way to the spot I think is where I ought to be, occasionally some good chances walking back to camp after calling it quits for the day.
You will encounter some camps that have good folks and will give advice if you are in an same area, others will not you will know quickly which you are camped by. I have enjoyed getting to know a few of the camps near us over the years.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 26, 2019, 04:26:43 PM
Post by: Stein on March 26, 2019, 04:30:24 PM
Apply for Colorado elk hunts.they have the largest population for elk with lots of opportunity
That is what I would do.
I'm new at archery hunting and I would absolutely shoot a cow if given the chance. Look at the harvest statistics and maybe 7-15% of archers are successful in any given year. Unless you really like antlers, a cow elk is great eating and fills the freezer quickly.
Post by: Mr Mykiss on March 26, 2019, 09:42:30 PM
Apply for Colorado elk hunts.they have the largest population for elk with lots of opportunityThat or literally any other state that has elk...OR, ID, MT, WY.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 26, 2019, 10:21:32 PM
Post by: Tbob on March 26, 2019, 10:31:14 PM
Post by: The Marquis on March 27, 2019, 10:39:56 AM
As for my opinion on elk hunting, man... just go out there and do what you like doing in the woods, whatever that is, even if it is a huge mistake.
This last season my hunting partner and I (at my behest) made a big change to what our plans were at the last second, deciding to beat some brush to get over to where we'd be glassing. Big mistake. Took a couple hours longer and by then, another hunter had taken an elk where we'd been planning to be at first light. I look back at that day as a great day. I was soaked, miserable, but it was fun and I've got a great story and a lesson learned about the area. In fact, I'd say that day was pivotal for understanding the area we were hunting.
So, regarding Roosevelt vs. Rocky Mtn... Well, I feel it depends on your preferred weather. With Rockies, you'll get very cold, often very windy and with a high likelihood of snow in a lot of the areas if you're hunting modern firearm (which is all I can speak to). For Roosevelt... it's a bit warmer, but far wetter. You'll be wet, period... unless a miracle happens and our one week of dry weather in November/December just so happens to coincide with Elk season... The most miserable I've probably ever been when hunting was elk hunting back in the 90's for Rocky Mountain Elk in the Cascades west of Yakima. Brutal wind, loads of snow and zero visability. Great stuff... though I hunt on the west side these days.
Post by: dvolmer on March 27, 2019, 10:54:07 AM
Yeah, all the negativity on hunting in WA is a drag. It's a great state to hunt. LOADS of public land, lots of species variety. Sure, it's not as good as some other western states, but I'll take it over the vast majority of the 50 states. The cost is very low, there is a variety of terrain, weather, etc. Great stuff. I hunt for food and fun. If I get one of those, I win, bonus for both.
Post by: dvolmer on March 27, 2019, 10:55:16 AM
Post by: bkaech on March 28, 2019, 08:07:21 PM
I think there are lots of Elk on the west side and plenty of public land to go chase them on. The difficult part is finding them/seeing them in the think brush. But when you do.... Oh man, It's awesome!
I'll never forget my first real close encounter elk hunting. I was with my older brother and we had been tracking about a dozen elk for 3 or 4 hours. Bumped them several times but only heard then or saw flashes of hair through the thick brush at 20-30 yards. Eventually I stepped over a ridge while following fresh tracks and saw to elk staring at me at 10 yards, they seemed HUGE, but is was just a calf and a bedded cow, when the cow stood up I was shocked! of course the bolted and at the same time my brother did the same thing to about 5 elk, those ran straight towards me, came through the brush at about 10 yards, 4 cows and a spike, no legal bull. But I was hooked on elk hunting ever since.
I always see elk and have had a nice run the past few years of killing bulls. Also Ive only ever hunted general season tags on the west side either modern or muzzleloader. I would recommend archery or muzzleloader hunting for the west side for elk, you have to get close anyways and those season let you get closer and have more fun.
Good Luck!
(don't let any negative Nancy's get you down)
Post by: elksnout on March 28, 2019, 08:35:58 PM
That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.
Elksnout
Post by: bearpaw on March 28, 2019, 08:44:09 PM
Post by: pd on March 28, 2019, 10:32:22 PM
If you go hunting in the woods, and despite not seeing any animals, and despite snow/rain/wind/hail/heat/cold or any other natural calamity, would you still have an enjoyable experience?
If the answer is "yes," then stop thinking so hard, go buy a tag, and go elk hunting. You will be fine, I guarantee it.
If the answer is "no," then don't buy a tag, elk hunting is not for you.
Good luck this year.
Post by: Sliverslinger on March 28, 2019, 10:56:41 PM
Is it possible to have both a blast and also tag out - also yes.
I've managed to tag out 5 out of the last 6 years. There's still plenty of elk to be had, get out this spring and find some.
What makes it fun for me is comraderie, the grind, persevering when everyone else is going home or whining about how the hunting has become so much tougher. Don't listen to the naysayers. I hunt both out of state and in Washington. While there are more elk in the units I hunt out of state, I've actually had better success rates on bulls here in WA because I know every inch of the units I hunt and where the elk will be on most given days. Last year in WA we averaged being on bulls 2-3 times every single day (that was response bugles we put a play on, set-ups, shots that didn't materialize, etc... archery hunter here). Saw very few other hunters. We didn't have a single day we weren't on elk and some days it was all day long in multiple different locations.
I hunt a unit where people say there are no elk left. I love that they think that. What makes it fun is the never say die mindset and knowing that if you keep after it there will be an opportunity sooner or later.
Post by: Matth on March 29, 2019, 09:48:03 AM
Has the elk hunting gone downhill - yes?
Is it possible to have both a blast and also tag out - also yes.
I've managed to tag out 5 out of the last 6 years. There's still plenty of elk to be had, get out this spring and find some.
What makes it fun for me is comraderie, the grind, persevering when everyone else is going home or whining about how the hunting has become so much tougher. Don't listen to the naysayers. I hunt both out of state and in Washington. While there are more elk in the units I hunt out of state, I've actually had better success rates on bulls here in WA because I know every inch of the units I hunt and where the elk will be on most given days. Last year in WA we averaged being on bulls 2-3 times every single day (that was response bugles we put a play on, set-ups, shots that didn't materialize, etc... archery hunter here). Saw very few other hunters. We didn't have a single day we weren't on elk and some days it was all day long in multiple different locations.
I hunt a unit where people say there are no elk left. I love that they think that. What makes it fun is the never say die mindset and knowing that if you keep after it there will be an opportunity sooner or later.
Yeah Buddy!!!!
I love the no elk left in Washington, go out of state guys. I hunt both in and out of state, and i think i would still rather hunt in Washington. I also believe it's because i have hunted the same basic area since i was 8 years old, so it's kinda like going home every fall.
Post by: Stein on March 29, 2019, 11:28:56 AM
The OP is new to elk hunting and I believe new to WA, so that is a completely different scenario. I was in the same boat and decided that if I was going to put in the time to learn an area from scratch, it made way more sense to learn an area where the current opportunity was as good as possible and the future outlook was positive. That doesn't describe a single unit in WA.
The places where you can hunt a branch bull OTC is very limited and I don't see that improving. The chance for regulation changes in these areas over time is very high in my opinion. I didn't want to put 5-8 years learning an area only to have it go to permit for mature bulls or be shut off entirely, or to have hoof rot creep in, roads or trails closed, or......
For me, it made way more sense to budget in a very modest amount to save every month, pick a state with incredible OTC opportunity and proven game management and spend my time learning there. It's going to cost me more to get the tag and another half day each way to get there, but once I left the state I was amazed at how much better the opportunity was.
This year, I will do two out of state hunts on the same tag, in two different areas with two different weapons and hunt 7-10 days each trip. I have 11 weeks combined to choose from and can harvest a cow, calf, or brow tined bull. I will be in an area that is equivalent to probably 90% of WA's quality draw hunts that people wait 15-20 years to hunt.
It really depends on what you are looking to get out of the hunt. If actually shooting an animal isn't high on the list, the math totally changes. I love the experience, but the number one reason I hunt is for the meat which means I place a very high priority on places where I have a good chance at getting a shot at some type of legal animal year after year.
Post by: gee_unit360 on March 29, 2019, 11:33:51 AM
Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.
That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.
Elksnout
Well said!
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 29, 2019, 12:31:34 PM
Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.
That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.
Elksnout
Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.
Post by: elksnout on March 29, 2019, 08:15:39 PM
Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.
That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.
Elksnout
Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.
Ha! We've had a beer together. Couple of years back when several of us got together at a little bar in Orchards.
Post by: KevrosWanderin on April 05, 2019, 08:06:04 AM
If you or anyone would like to meet up sometime for coffee, or a drink. I'm open to meeting new people. It's early in the year so no commitments yet 😂.
I have always heard finding a good hunting partner is harder than finding a spouse!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 05, 2019, 08:46:40 AM
Actually my favorite part of the hunt after working my fanny off each day is to get back to camp for swapping the days stories, cooking dinner and the cocktail hour around the wood stove or campfire. For me I'm ok hunting alone but I dislike camping alone. That's just not fun for me anymore as I age.
That and taking a midday break and making a warming fire on a vantage point. This slows down the day for me which I savor.
Elksnout
Let's have a beer, Elksnout. my hunting buddy is going to have a baby this Fall and I need someone for those fireside times in camp. Got a pop-up trailer with hot water, too.
Ha! We've had a beer together. Couple of years back when several of us got together at a little bar in Orchards.
About time for another HuntWA get together, huh?
Post by: outdooraddict on April 05, 2019, 05:09:52 PM
Post by: Parasite on April 05, 2019, 06:42:49 PM
I am exactly in the same boat. I have purchased the combo tags already. Western Archery elk. I plan to run a small hot tent. Preferably keeping camp on my back. At the moment I am not in shape for that but I am working on it. My expectations are not high. Although I'm learning to call. I want to be in the thick of it....public land, back pack hunting, with my bow. I will call it a success to here bugles! I research the sh*t out things. So this is keeping me busy. 😂 we moved here in September. I'm just basically wanting to get and explore. Been hunting my entire life (36) in Missouri. The mountains are new.
If you or anyone would like to meet up sometime for coffee, or a drink. I'm open to meeting new people. It's early in the year so no commitments yet 😂.
I have always heard finding a good hunting partner is harder than finding a spouse!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'll take you up on that offer when I get back. I'm in Okinawa until the 15th. I moved here from Southern Illinois, so you'll probably miss the big whitetails just like I do. I am looking forward to hunting Rios again, and Merriams for the first time. As for elk, I'm pretty sure I want to chase elk on the west side first.
Post by: msg on June 07, 2019, 09:07:05 PM
Post by: msg on June 07, 2019, 09:24:32 PM
Post by: Boomerboy87 on June 07, 2019, 11:01:56 PM
Post by: elkboy on June 07, 2019, 11:18:03 PM
elksnout summed it up, i love the wall tent, campfire, and laughing and stories of "the way things used to be" i can hunt alone, but like elksnout said "camping alone sucks" hunting is just the bonus, and well if u lay down on a skid road and take a nap in the afternoon, or just sit and look around for a couple hours, then who cares, you might be one of the only peopel to lay eyes on that rock or specific tree, take it all in.Well said! It is all about time with friends and family, connecting with nature, and scanning every patch of timber for elk. Meat or antlers are a bonus.
Post by: Parasite on June 08, 2019, 09:17:16 AM
Post by: Fullabull on June 09, 2019, 10:09:12 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 10, 2019, 05:19:16 AM