Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Lost arkie on December 05, 2020, 02:42:53 PM
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New to Washington so I apologize if this question has come up! I am a bow hunter mostly, do u think it’s easier to harvest a spike on the east side where it’s more open and can see easily. Or any elk on the west side where u cannot see very far? Just curious?
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Cow tags are easiest. Spikes are endangered!! Its tough everywhere so do what ya enjoy and afford and gain access too imop.
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Spike bull only archery is very very low odds . Probably under 1 % success rate. Not many legal animals and not very likely to have a decent in range shot at the one animal you do see. Try the west side.
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it's gonna be easier wherever you can find the elk.
sounds sarcastic, but its true.
get out in the offseason, learn the area, find some elk, enjoy your time.
good luck
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Like other mentioned, the elk are where they are. Also, you mentioned you are mostly bow hunter, so the open area's of the east side will play against that logic with a bow in your hand. Elk overall success in this state is quite low, it ain't mid west deer hunting around the farm. Archery gives you much more time to hunt and most places an early and late season. Late season after the rut and chances to catch the cows herding back up. I see new to Washington, don't know if that means new to elk hunting, if so, the wind is enemy number one. Again, others have said, get out this year and learn some territory, locate some elk and sign, and then hunt the wind.
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I would say east side, but not because you can see them. Sure, seeing them is a bonus but many arrows are flung at animals called in that weren't seen until very close. The better odds would be due to being able to shoot any elk that comes in vs maybe 10% of elk that come in. I don't know the actual breakdown of the percentage of the herd that are true spike, but it's not high.
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West side is mostly 3 point or better with a few any elk areas.
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Elk hunting is a mess in all of Washington. You have hoof rot in western wa and spike only regulations in Yakima/eburg areas. This was the first year for spike hunting where they had a draw for some cow tags. Unless you have a cow tag you aren’t going to find much opportunity unless you like looking at country and animals you can’t shoot. I would think about changing weapons for spike only hunting or if you can swing it hunt another state for elk with your bow.
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I've called in a ton of spikes over the years while playing big bulls. Curiosity kills.
As for terrain, East or West elk like the thick stuff so that shouldn't be a deciding factor.
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Spike hunting with a bow can be tough I've killed 4 spikes with my bow but also gone several years in a row with out seeing a spike. Honestly I'd say it depends on where you live how much time you can spend scouting. If you're not in the point game for drawing a permit I'd be looking on the west side. I want to draw 1 specific tag on the eastside so I kinda get stuck hunting spikes trying to get that tag.
