Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: HBomb on October 17, 2019, 12:39:04 PM

Title: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: HBomb on October 17, 2019, 12:39:04 PM: Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm a bow hunter, and am familiar with Eastern WA grounds...at least the ones I've been to. I'm unfamiliar with Western WA.

I'll put it straight to you all. My 14yr year old son has a modern elk tag for Western WA. Our game plan was modified (read: canceled), and now I'm scrambling a bit. I'm up for taking him out there, I'm just not totally sure where. I read where Hoh Forest is accessible. I'm sure there are other areas. I'm looking for any insights. p.s. I'm not hunting; he is...

Appreciate your time in reading this post!
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: boneaddict on October 17, 2019, 12:46:09 PM: I cut my teeth elk hunting around Packwood. Bare in mind the big weather coming in this weekend.
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: HBomb on October 17, 2019, 12:56:00 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on October 17, 2019, 12:46:09 PM
I cut my teeth elk hunting around Packwood. Bare in mind the big weather coming in this weekend.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 17, 2019, 01:03:14 PM: I would spend time reading the hunting reports WDFW puts out for each region, pick one and then find public land you can hunt. The modern season is a challenge since the bulls generally aren't vocal and they are recovering from the rut in out of the way places that are hard to get to. I know some folks have success concentrating on 1-4-year old clear cuts where smaller spikes and raghorns may come out but you aren't likely to find big bulls this way. In units with 3-point minimum requirements it can take a lot of forest road driving and long episodes of glassing to find one.

Good luck, modern season is a challenge in western WA but there are lots of folks that find success when they persevere.
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: Sundance on October 17, 2019, 01:06:02 PM: This will give you an idea of the harvest stats by GMU
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/game-harvest/2018/elk-general

This will give you an idea of land ownership, public vs timber company.
https://www.onxmaps.com/
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: HBomb on October 17, 2019, 07:52:21 PM: Quote from: SteelheadTed on October 17, 2019, 01:03:14 PM
I would spend time reading the hunting reports WDFW puts out for each region, pick one and then find public land you can hunt. The modern season is a challenge since the bulls generally aren't vocal and they are recovering from the rut in out of the way places that are hard to get to. I know some folks have success concentrating on 1-4-year old clear cuts where smaller spikes and raghorns may come out but you aren't likely to find big bulls this way. In units with 3-point minimum requirements it can take a lot of forest road driving and long episodes of glassing to find one.

Good luck, modern season is a challenge in western WA but there are lots of folks that find success when they persevere.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: HBomb on October 17, 2019, 07:52:51 PM: Quote from: Sundance on October 17, 2019, 01:06:02 PM
This will give you an idea of the harvest stats by GMU
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/game-harvest/2018/elk-general

This will give you an idea of land ownership, public vs timber company.
https://www.onxmaps.com/

Thank you!
Title: Re: Western WA elk - general info needed
Post by: WapitiChaser on October 24, 2019, 05:48:45 AM: I am a sucker for dads taking their kids out! PM me for a productive spot near Randall/Packwood. Headed for Eastern this year, so I am happy to drop a spot for the youngsters. Fair warning ⚠️ the blowdown can be brutal.