Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: TheYoungSelfStarter on August 02, 2022, 02:15:55 PM
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Hey HuntWA.
As you can see by the title I’m planning on hunting the west side for elk this year with my bow. Any tips for someone relatively new to the area? I’ve been hunting for a few years I’m just not familiar with areas and unit restrictions per se. I did hear that a pass is required in most units? Not sure what that pass is or how it works- a link to that info would be awesome!
Thanks guys!
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Unfortunately most, if not all the private timber companies access passes are sold out this year. Your best bet would be to get OnX or the like and find some state ground to hunt. Good luck this year!
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Also some state land you may need a DISCOVER PASS and or NORTHWEST FOREST PASS if that's what your mentioning. You get the yellow pass when you get your license the other 2 you have to purchase after marked depending on if the land your hunting requires it. Ex: (https://live.staticflickr.com/7102/7217972266_2dae7dee4c_b.jpg)(https://www.rei.com/media/4efe0365-ff63-462d-8b87-a2c8a2da6fbf?size=784x588)(https://www.wta.org/go-outside/passes/21-passes-2.jpg/@@images/fb0fe962-d024-4aa2-b1b6-232dc25880be.jpeg)
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OnX is your best option to identify some starting points. There is plenty of public ground to keep you busy w/out a pass. Use the regs to figure which gmu you want to hunt and what's legal in it. Use OnX and google maps to pick out some areas within your chosen gmu and then plan some boots on the ground scouting/road driving to see what the area(s) are like. Don't like it, move on to the next area. Log info in your OnX app along the way. If you get started now you could scout some elk up for the opener. Look for pinch points/intersections on active game trails, set some game cams, look for wallows. I am guessing gou don't call much, I'd plan to sit on or near active areas and be mobile. Try to intercept a herd, don't chase after them. Good luck out there!
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PM sent.
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Like these guys said, there is a lot of gridded public private. That being said there are a ton of sneaky little areas. Last year after filling my east side tag I hunted deer, on the west side 30 mi s from my ho.e in puyallup. The spots exist, onX is a great resource.
