Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Darrin S. on August 23, 2022, 07:12:17 AM
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Hello. My wife drew a Bethel Bull tag this year. I have never hunted that unit before. We have spent the last few weekends scouting the area. Wondering if anyone has a suggestion or knows the area that could point us in the right location. She has never shot an elk before, and I would really like to change that this year.
Thanks
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Good Luck!
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Tagging to watch the fireworks on his first post.
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I know there will be. But there shouldn't be any fireworks.
If someone wants to help out or encourage that's great. Really no need for anything else.
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I know there will be. But there shouldn't be any fireworks.
If someone wants to help out our encourage that's great. Really no need for anything else.
This.
Let’s keep it this way.
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That used to be my stomping ground. A significant portion of it burned last year though and I haven't been in there to see the changes. From what I've heard, the areas I used to spend my time in burnt pretty bad. We mainly hunted off the 1500 road, Cowpuncher Ridge, the lower end of Bethel Ridge Road, up the Little Rattlesnake. There's always animals around in there. I suppose with the burn last year, it could be easier to find animals with less brush/canopy to hide them if you can find a good glassing point to watch from.
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I've spent a few years in the same area as ^. Prepare to walk around. The roads get heavily used.
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That used to be my stomping ground. A significant portion of it burned last year though and I haven't been in there to see the changes. From what I've heard, the areas I used to spend my time in burnt pretty bad. We mainly hunted off the 1500 road, Cowpuncher Ridge, the lower end of Bethel Ridge Road, up the Little Rattlesnake. There's always animals around in there. I suppose with the burn last year, it could be easier to find animals with less brush/canopy to hide them if you can find a good glassing point to watch from.
Good advice right here
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The area from grouse flats to bear lake had bulls in there, my uncle and I filled bull tags in those areas. I haven’t been in there in years though so take it for what it’s worth.
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We killed some nice ones on Swiftsure bank area.
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I was recently hiking not far from the north edge of the Bethel unit, in a recently burned area. Lots of elk sign, and we watched elk a good bit of the morning. I'd imagine the conventional wisdom of getting away from roads and finding a good mix of hiding cover and foraging areas will hold true. Slow and alert hiking on dead-end spur roads with wind in your face never hurts. Good luck to your wife.
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Utilize the search feature on this forum. I haven’t hunted the unit in a long time so I’m not much help. Stay persistent and hunt hard away from the roads. Go in there during the rut and listen for bugles. That will give you a starting point.
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I took an afternoon drive up over the 1500 last week when I was back and seen plenty of elk. Maybe someone knows better but didn’t look like Martinez’s sheep were in there this year? Plenty of forage in the burn. You’ll find elk with a little bit of effort.
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Entire unit holds Elk . Have killed multiple Bulls in there , just have to get away from the roads and into the thicker stuff to turn up a good one. Good Luck
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Which weapon?
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You shouldn't have a problem now that the area is opened up. Last year it was pretty limited with the closure. The guys on here gave me some general areas to check out which helped as it only opened a little before season and the area I had been scouting early was closed.
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Which weapon?
She has the rifle tag.
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I was just up there two weeks ago scouting for my buddy and there is a lot of fire damage up there. His normal muzzle loader area is gone.
