Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 14, 2024, 10:26:57 AM
But I haven’t hunted the Sol Duc area, largely because of the number of hunters in the area. With the limited draw I’d at least like to take a look at it. I know some of you here are familiar with the area and I’ve read some of the previous threads about this permit.
I’m interested in areas to start looking, I should be able to make it out there a couple times this summer.
Also interested in areas that are good to camp for hunting season. I’ll be bringing my 20’ trailer and it’s set up for extended boon-docking.
If the weather permits and if I’m at all successful I’ll do a write up and share some photos.
My dad has gotten a bit too old and my kids are too young so I’ll be going solo on this hunt.
Post by: Bob33 on June 14, 2024, 10:32:28 AM
Please write up a story regardless of the outcome. I think the hunts that don't end in harvest are often more interesting than those which do.
Post by: Falcon on June 14, 2024, 02:40:58 PM
Not familiar with those units. Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22, I am sure you are going to have a blast chasing bugles :tup:
Best of luck!
Post by: Fidelk on June 14, 2024, 05:59:32 PM
---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.
---Hunt dates Sept.23-27
---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.
---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.
---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.
---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.
---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow other access.
That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.
Post by: MADMAX on June 14, 2024, 06:07:39 PM
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 14, 2024, 07:10:17 PM
Got curious......looking up info.
---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.
---Hunt dates Sept.23-27
---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.
---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.
---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.
---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.
---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.
That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.
The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.
But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 14, 2024, 07:13:04 PM
Good luck
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html
I did read through that one. I’m not sure where he hunted but it was a nice read. I’ve seen some massive 5 points in the area. Never been able to connect with anything larger than a 4 point.
Post by: Fidelk on June 14, 2024, 07:42:07 PM
Got curious......looking up info.
---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.
---Hunt dates Sept.23-27
---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.
---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.
---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.
---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.
---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.
That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.
The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.
But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.
Me neither. I live here and have deer in my yard daily but have mostly hunted them up near Kettle Falls. And have only hunted elk south of Cle Elum. I only know one local archery hunter but will ask for info......but he's kind of secretive.
Post by: MADMAX on June 14, 2024, 07:44:56 PM
Good luck
I was mistaken on your open areas and deleted my post
But this may help
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,264360.0.html
I did read through that one. I’m not sure where he hunted but it was a nice read. I’ve seen some massive 5 points in the area. Never been able to connect with anything larger than a 4 point.
I’ve been putting in for that tag as well
I’d dump a big ol 5pt if I got a poke on him
Give her hell bud
Good luck
Woods pretty much to yourself
Rut
What fun
Carry a cougar and bear tag too
Post by: washingtonmuley on June 14, 2024, 09:44:30 PM
Post by: hunter_sean08 on June 15, 2024, 12:14:03 AM
They put the Q on there exactly for companies such as Merrill & Ring and Rayonier. Merrill and Ring has a draw style permit system of their own for the ability to hunt elk on the Pysht Tree Farm. It is extremely difficult to draw and not cheap to even have your name in the hat.Got curious......looking up info.
---You can hunt GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612, 615.
---Hunt dates Sept.23-27
---You would be following the Archery Season (Sept. 7-19).....which I have heard can scatter the elk into remote areas.
---But you would be before the Muzzleloader and Modern Firearm Seasons.
---Looks like you would have the woods to yourself during the hunt dates.
---That hunt has Hunt Note Q.......private timber owners limiting access......need to secure access in advance.
---I know there are elk in the Merrill Ring land near Pysht (GMU 603). They have an office on 8th Street in Port Angeles. Maybe check to see if they would grant access or scout land adjacent to Merrill Ring. They do sell access for deer hunting and do a draw for a special elk hunt on their land, so they probably don't allow access other access.
That's all I have and it looks like you already have more direct knowledge of the area. If I run into anything more specific, I'll pass it along. Good luck.
The Q code is curious in this case as there are giant swaths of public land. The hunt area is vast, the Clearwater unit alone is massive with several medium to large river systems and miles of land that borders ONP.
But I know little to nothing of the Sol Duc unit.
Rayonier of course has their own pay to play permit system and their land covers large portions of the Dickey and Goodman units, as well as smaller portions in the other units. Their general access permit was affordable all things considered. Unfortunately, they’re in the process of selling all their land out there and so they are not offering permits at this time, which makes things a little interesting.
If you know the Clearwater well enough, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to it. The Sol Duc is very similar in the sense that it has a lot of public land slapped up against the park. Just like the Clearwater, it gets steeper and deeper the further in you go. I would say the Clearwater offers some better opportunities to hunt managed timberland in the lower reaches of the unit.
Good luck. Hunting the Olympic Peninsula for elk is a beautiful experience in its own way even if you don’t fill the tag.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: nwhunter on June 15, 2024, 06:59:07 AM
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 15, 2024, 11:03:00 AM
If you know the Clearwater I’d stick to that because there’s just as good of bulls there as anywhere.. It’s a short hunt and it goes quick so especially if your solo just focus on those good areas you know.. it’s prime time those dates but the elk have been hunted hard everywhere from bow season and will be quieter than you’d expect and can be tough to find.. I’d definitely try and get some help to cover more ground and up your chances of finding a good bull in that jungle.. It’s tougher than a guy thinks and I know several of those tags that haven’t been filled over the years.. Congrats and good luck
Yeah for sure and I do plan to hunt there. My concern is that if it’s dead and it can be dead I’ll need to move somewhere.
I’ve hunted the Dickey and Goodman units in the past and I’m not planning to hunt those at all. So that leaves the Sol Duc.
One of the things I like about the Sol Duc is its accessibility for scouting. I’ll be in that general area a couple times over the summer.
Post by: 280ackley on June 15, 2024, 01:21:19 PM
Huge congrats on your tag.
Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22
@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.
Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!
Post by: Falcon on June 15, 2024, 02:40:18 PM
Huge congrats on your tag.
Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22
@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.
Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!
Hunt of a lifetime. Shot this bull next to the park boundary on day 2.
Post by: blackdog on June 15, 2024, 04:36:08 PM
Post by: Falcon on June 15, 2024, 04:56:06 PM
Nothing but rag horns in the Sol Duc.
Stud Rosie :drool:
Post by: 280ackley on June 15, 2024, 09:34:47 PM
Huge congrats on your tag.
Having drawn the Quinault tag in 22
@Falcon how'd you do in '22? Quinault's been my #1 for quite a few years.
Sorry for the quick thread jack,,, and congrats on the tag!
Hunt of a lifetime. Shot this bull next to the park boundary on day 2.
Awesome bull, thanks!
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 16, 2024, 08:57:10 AM
Nothing but rag horns in the Sol Duc.
Very cool. :tup:
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on June 16, 2024, 12:36:21 PM
I live in the area. Hit me up as season approaches and hopefully I can give you some updated info.
:tup:
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 16, 2024, 02:34:14 PM
Post by: NrthwstHuntr on July 10, 2024, 12:45:35 PM