Post by: Tntjames on May 09, 2019, 01:05:24 PM
Post by: Stein on May 09, 2019, 01:27:53 PM
The other option is to get on I-90 until get out of Washington.
Post by: full choke on May 09, 2019, 01:35:12 PM
Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Essentially- you have to choose a weapon type (archery, or muzzleloader, or modern firearm), and you have to pick one side of the state to apply for- eastern or western. Either side provides for different opportunities, you have to decide which you would prefer yourself. You don't get to hunt both sides in the same season, and you don't get to hunt other weapon types in the same season. UNLESS... you draw a multi-season elk tag (too late to try this year), but that is a whole other set of rules. It is all in the regs- hours of enjoyable reading (I suggest drinking while you do it...)
The permits for private timber land are a whole other thread all on it's own- I would use the search function to get some better info.
Post by: Taco280AI on May 09, 2019, 01:38:00 PM
Post by: follow maggie on May 09, 2019, 07:15:47 PM
Post by: Matth on May 10, 2019, 07:45:42 AM
The thing with buying permits from timber companies is that every year lots of land is closed off to access because of fire risk. And they don’t refund the permit cost, so you eat it.I've heard this now a few times, that they close permit access on timber lands in washington. I have bought timber company permits on the oregon coast now for 4 years, and have never been locked out.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on May 10, 2019, 07:51:07 AM
There seems to be a little rain each year by early muzzy season to open it up, but most years they open just in time for archery elk. Kind of a gamble and need a back up spot if you do the WA permits.The thing with buying permits from timber companies is that every year lots of land is closed off to access because of fire risk. And they don’t refund the permit cost, so you eat it.I've heard this now a few times, that they close permit access on timber lands in washington. I have bought timber company permits on the oregon coast now for 4 years, and have never been locked out.
Post by: ThurstonCokid on May 19, 2019, 09:10:13 PM
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Post by: bkaech on May 19, 2019, 09:42:41 PM
Post by: msg on May 20, 2019, 10:53:54 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 20, 2019, 02:23:21 PM
Post by: wannabhntr on May 22, 2019, 03:00:42 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 22, 2019, 03:36:39 PM
Its easy to get tags and permits, go to the WDFW website and cruise thru there for ten minutes and you should be able to get setup. If not computer Savvy go to a dealer and purchase tags and licenses there. Apps are by midnight tonight so if that is on the agenda you will need to go ASAP, but its not a big loss if not you can still hunt! :tup:
If a St. Helens weyco permit is in the budget I would go that route all day long. Weyco has never closed for fire danger to my knowledge since the permit system and it would suck to put a bunch of energy into an area your first year and still need B thru Z plans to have a decent hunt. It opens up all the area you will likely be able to cover including several OTC GMUs and yes elk are there, its a shadow of its former glory but there is elk to hunt.
Weyco Permits are relativley easy to acquire for that area VS some others that sell out in minutes, but if your serious I would get an account setup and plan to purchase when they post. A goodle search of weyco recreation should get you to the page and you can setup an account from there and see when permits go on sale. Good luck this season
Post by: ljsommer on May 22, 2019, 04:44:33 PM
There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.
I am always looking to sit down with anyone over drinks and cigars, could I get in on this? Too-few cigar fans nowadays ;)
Post by: SteelheadTed on May 22, 2019, 07:07:39 PM
There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.
I am always looking to sit down with anyone over drinks and cigars, could I get in on this? Too-few cigar fans nowadays ;)
Lets do it, the first HuntWA herf? I've got Cubans, yum.
Post by: dreamunelk on May 22, 2019, 07:13:59 PM
What kind of hunt are you looking for? There are lots of elk in Washington and many differn't areas to hunt. I would start visiting different areas. One of them will get your interest up.
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2019, 07:47:22 AM
There are elk within 30 minutes of your house due east. Get some maps, get out on the roads. Do some walking in the woods. You don't have to go far. If you want a better experience and are in the right shape, find some of the wilderness areas you can hike in to east of your position a bit further. If you want to sit down of a vodka and a cigar, PM me and we can go out in the back yard.
I am always looking to sit down with anyone over drinks and cigars, could I get in on this? Too-few cigar fans nowadays ;)
Lets do it, the first HuntWA herf? I've got Cubans, yum.
If I can see your posts, you're welcome to my cigars and vodka or bourbon anytime. When you're in the area and ready, let me know by PM and I'll get you my address.
Post by: dreamingbig on May 23, 2019, 10:19:21 AM
Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.If possible move and/or start applying out of state. You won’t be able to hunt here with any consistency much longer.
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Post by: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2019, 10:28:51 AM
Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.If possible move and/or start applying out of state. You won’t be able to hunt here with any consistency much longer.
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There are plenty of elk in the southern Cascades in WA.
Post by: dreamingbig on May 23, 2019, 10:38:51 AM
Sure.Yep.YouBetcha... have you followed the bull permit numbers? The decrease in archery cow hunting opportunities?Wondering if anyone can help me out. Lifelong archery elk hunter and I just moved to Washington. Have no idea where to go, what strategy to use and how to begin figuring out a plan for this years archery elk hunt. Someone mentioned hunting on Weyerhauser land - Coweeman GMU - but don't know how to get the permits. Do you buy a tag and access from WH or do you have to draw first and then buy access? Someone else said to apply for one half of the state and hunt spike/cow in the other half (can't remember which is which). Planning on connecting with DFW to get some direction but thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance for any advice.If possible move and/or start applying out of state. You won’t be able to hunt here with any consistency much longer.
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There are plenty of elk in the southern Cascades in WA.
I am not saying it is zero opportunity right now. But opportunity is decreasing ever year. Predators aren’t declining.
Several units I have hunted in southern cascades use to be 14 day season for cow/spikes and over 200 bull permits. Now we are at a 5 day season and single digits. Change for the worse is coming. Wolves will be there eventually. They haven’t showed up in force yet.
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Post by: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2019, 11:48:24 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 23, 2019, 12:09:25 PM
As a lifetime resident I have found the trend depressing and frustrating.
Good luck!
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Post by: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2019, 12:21:53 PM
True. I guess I wasn’t being completely fair. There are some elk but the opportunity today is much less than 10 years ago.
As a lifetime resident I have found the trend depressing and frustrating.
Good luck!
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I understand your frustration and share it. :tup: