Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: bonkellekter on January 13, 2010, 08:04:13 PM

Title: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bonkellekter on January 13, 2010, 08:04:13 PM: Just curious what everyones success rate for elk in washington is. Game reports are roughly 10%. I am just wondering because this seems a bit low and was wondering how accurate the reports really are. Personally I have hunted elk for 10 years in WA and taken 6 bulls so I am at 60%. All of the people I know and hunt with, with a few considerations are roughly between 50 and 80% successful in this state as well.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Ridgerunner on January 13, 2010, 08:20:25 PM: you are well above average, I think the average guy might kill one every ten years. alot of eastside units only have a 4-5% success rate.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Alan K on January 13, 2010, 08:31:14 PM: I'm 3 in 5 years on bulls with a rifle, then switched to bow. I'm 0 for 2 so far with a bow.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Bigshooter on January 13, 2010, 08:33:10 PM: Here is one of my favorite sayings "10% of the elk hunters kill 90% of the elk". My guess is you and your friends are part of the 10% group that kill 90% of the elk. I think a state average of 10% success is about right.

I'm not much of an elk hunter but I have killed 4 elk. 3 being branch antlered. Have hunted elk on and off for about 15 years. Done most of my hunting the last 5 or 6 years. If i had to guess i would say I am 4/10.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: lokidog on January 13, 2010, 08:33:37 PM: Archery westside 2/14, though I had lots of opportunities that I messed up....

0/1 rifle

0/1 muzzleloader
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Crunchy on January 13, 2010, 08:37:23 PM: Archery 3/4 This year tag soup, but only me to blame, missed same elk three times in a row.
Rifle 0/4.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: sako223 on January 13, 2010, 08:39:58 PM: If we had a 50-80% success rate then what would the wolves and cougars eat.

20% would be a good rate in most states.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Shootmoore on January 13, 2010, 08:40:07 PM: I'm 8 for 15 or somewhere close to that archery. A few years I was only able to hunt a couple days.

My damn father on the other hand must be about 39 for 40. Not sure how many years he has been chasing elk with a bow, but last year was the first year in my memory he did not get an elk with a bow. Missed a 5 pointer with his recurve, pissed him off so bad for some reason he went and bought a "machine". He had some medical issues last year and did not get to hunt much.

I was all ready to give him crap as he missed with "the machine" this year. But of course he sealed the deal as usuall with a week left in the late hunt.

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bonkellekter on January 13, 2010, 08:45:38 PM: Quote from: sako223 on January 13, 2010, 08:39:58 PM
If we had a 50-80% success rate then what would the wolves and cougars eat.

20% would be a good rate in most states.

lead is what I was thinking
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bonkellekter on January 13, 2010, 09:21:27 PM: Quote from: Shootmoore on January 13, 2010, 08:40:07 PM
I'm 8 for 15 or somewhere close to that archery. A few years I was only able to hunt a couple days.

My damn father on the other hand must be about 39 for 40. Not sure how many years he has been chasing elk with a bow, but last year was the first year in my memory he did not get an elk with a bow. Missed a 5 pointer with his recurve, pissed him off so bad for some reason he went and bought a "machine". He had some medical issues last year and did not get to hunt much.

I was all ready to give him crap as he missed with "the machine" this year. But of course he sealed the deal as usuall with a week left in the late hunt.

Shootmoore

Sounds like my old man - always givin me crap - "am I gonna have to come out and show you how to get it done". year before last he took three bulls - two six points one went 340" (in Idaho) and one 5x6 that would go about 310 (in WA). That man pisses me off. of course he gets to spend alot more days in the woods than me.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: dromero on January 13, 2010, 10:55:55 PM: 1/6 rifle Eastside
0/1 archery Westside
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 13, 2010, 11:09:10 PM: 2/3 eastside archery both early season one in klick one in rimrock but no horns yet :'( but with a bow i am happy.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: coriantonk on January 13, 2010, 11:20:10 PM: I am 0/4 in Eastern Wa. :bash: Have not tried the west side yet
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: huntergreg on January 13, 2010, 11:21:02 PM: I have been elk hunting for the last 9 years with my bow and am 4 for 9. 2 spikes and 2 cows. Deer on the other hand Is 9 for 9. 3 bucks and 6 does. All of my elk have been taken up in the Colockum area. All my deer have been in The Colockum, Swakane and Entiat
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Aneoakleaf on January 13, 2010, 11:52:56 PM: 16 in 28 for me and my bow
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: denali on January 14, 2010, 12:06:54 AM: My cousin and I have hunted the same spot, E. Wa since 93 mod firearm - 12 spikes - 4 cows, our jobs are such that we can be there pretty much from beginning of deer to the end of elk and that makes a big difference :twocents:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: ouchfoss on January 14, 2010, 12:41:52 AM: 8/13 westside archery elk

5 branched bulls
3 cows

Unfortunetly I never even got to see an elk this last season. :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: coachcw on January 14, 2010, 06:34:12 AM: My group has been real successfull aswell as some of you . I've only missed once or twice in the last 13 years with a bow . If you learn your area and do the homework , not to mention stay out all day and till dark it will pay off. out of state I'm at 50 % with three branched bulls in mt and Id . oregon 0/1 col 0/1 with opps there. My freinds have similar results as well. I believe the 10% kill 90% realy is true in bow hunting atleast.I hope our kids can carry on the torch as our legs grow old and the hills get steeper , Good luck.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Woodchuck on January 14, 2010, 06:42:28 AM: I think denali has it pinned, when i moved here the first 4 years i was o fer, the last five years i spend the season in the woods and i am 4 for 5, 2spikes, 2 cows, i think it has alot to do with time spent :dunno:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Fullabull on January 14, 2010, 08:17:07 AM: I moved to WA 7 years ago and took up archery hunting. I have hunted six years and have had great opportunities every year. I have taken one branched bull, missed another this year and two cows previous years (I have a tendency to shoot low cause they always look so close). I hunt with my dad who is 70 so we do not get to far out but always call in an elk or two every season (west side). I want to get him a bull before he can't get out any longer. Hopefully next year ;)

Fulla
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: high country on January 14, 2010, 08:27:37 AM: I pretty well have stayed in the NE. I spent a few years without even seeing anelk, in season or not. then I started putting it together. I started on a roll in 00' with a yakima spike and since I have been the luckiest SOB that has hunted elk in this state. I have killed 6 elk within 1 mile of each other. I all but stepped on a 300 class bull this year.....twice, but in the end had to take an easy cow. I recall the average wa hunter kills 1 elk every 13 years. the guys that I know who kill lots of elk are far from average.....more like fanatical.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: jackelope on January 14, 2010, 08:44:43 AM: I've hunted elk 2 seasons...1 with a bow and 1 with a rifle...saw lots of elk scouting for the archery hunt on the west side, thought we had them figured out and went hunting and never even saw an elk in 4 days of hunting. the berry pickers screwed us up and blew all the elk out of the country. the rifle hunt was 8 or so years ago and was a mess...went along with some "elk hunters"....long story, no elk seen, went home pissed off and 2 days early. so my official count is 0 fer 2.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Shootmoore on January 14, 2010, 09:38:13 AM: On a side note I think the 10% take 90% of the elk is pretty accurate.

But I just realized reading this thread, I have had just as much fun being out there hunting those elk on years I did not get one as years that I did.

The delicious elk meat was just the cherry on top of being in the woods after these animals. Luckily I know where the key is to my dads chest freezer on the 0 years :o .

End my sentimental blabbering..... :'(

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Dipsnort on January 14, 2010, 10:32:25 AM: 100% success rate for me. Wait, you're talking about Wyoming, right? :dunno:

Oh wait....Washington?? Um...let's see, I'm 1 for.....uh.....17. Just under 6%. Dang it, I work my butt off for those things too. :'(
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bigbeamhunter on January 14, 2010, 10:59:21 AM: 9 out of 10 the one i year i didnt get one was because holding out for the big one but the boy shot one so does that count..its hard to make a deal with yourself to only shoot one bull and not get one
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: 6x6in6 on January 14, 2010, 11:18:20 AM: 13/29 overall.
1/2 of those were muzzy. The rest modern.
My outta state is much better. 20/24 or 25. Go figure......
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Mike_D on January 14, 2010, 12:24:27 PM: uuuhhhggg... I'm glad to see it's not just me.... 1 for 7... modern, 0/1....muzzle...trying archery this year... maybe...
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: whacker1 on January 14, 2010, 12:43:22 PM: 1 for 10 or 12 in WA
1 for 3 in Idaho
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: boneaddict on January 14, 2010, 12:48:20 PM: I'd skew the curve a bit as several years I didn't even hunt for them as I could care less about the meat (full of moose) and the spike thing just didn't interest me. Then when I drew a big bull, I was too selective, but at least I hunted them.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: SkookumHntr on January 14, 2010, 12:52:54 PM: 2for18, modern Rifle. 5x5 in 2000, 7x7 in 2009. Never Drawn Special Permit
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: mossback91 on January 14, 2010, 12:57:57 PM: 1 for 8

I havent even hunted elk for a couple years

Spike hunting doesnt do much for me either

Meats good but spike hunting is frustrating....... All I seem to see is branched bulls and cows
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bonkellekter on January 14, 2010, 01:11:32 PM: I am with you guys on the spike thing but I grew up in the NE corner and it is still any bull so that is where I still hunt. But I am hoping to draw a peaches ridge tag one of these years. I have yet to kill a bull of any size. one 6x6 maybe 250", 2 five points, one 5x6, one 5x4 and my first bull was a spike. I have been real close to getting a couple nicer bulls but it seems that everytime I get close a raghorn gives me a shot first. The only time I passed on a bull I had tag soup.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on January 14, 2010, 01:39:15 PM: Pre-military,84'-90', 4 for 7 (a spike, one cow, and two calves.) eastside archery.

Post-military, '98-'06, haven't hunted WA elk since '06. 6 for 9 (a cow, 5 branched) westside archery.

10 for 16 overall.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: high country on January 14, 2010, 01:54:06 PM: this is the best I have been able to pull off in the eastside. I almost killed one just lke him this year....but just could not seal the deal.....I am gonna draw a tag one of these days!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FELK018.jpg&hash=aa43f78ae55cb610db4cb0c76ae374bb24bad9ea)
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 14, 2010, 02:08:14 PM: still a good looking bull
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: brianmtsinc on January 14, 2010, 02:35:23 PM: I think the 10% taking 90% of the elk is very true.
My first 10 or so years (all archery) , I went 0 fer - missed MANY. But I learned a lot and now over the last 5 years have taken 3 (1bull and 2 cows). So 60% over the last 5 years, but averaged out I am around 20%.

I now go into the woods EXPECTING to get one. That gets me in the right frame of mind to stay focused. Fortunately, I shot mine this year 10 minutes into the season. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: WSU on January 15, 2010, 11:57:29 AM: I've hunted elk for 9 or 10 years now, and I've killed 4 elk (two cows, one spike, and one 5X5). My biggest problem is lack of time. I don't know who decided to schedule the school year during elk season, but it was a piss poor idea. This year was the first I could spend more than weekends hunting and I killed the 5 point. Lucky for me I was in between getting done with school and starting work. Now that I'm working, I'm hoping my schedule allows for more hunting time.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: shoot-em-dead on January 15, 2010, 12:07:25 PM: I got 2 in the 12 years I have hunted. The first was a nice bull that some other guys took before I got to him. The second was a calf that tasted awsome.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: 180-GRAIN on January 15, 2010, 09:33:10 PM: 1 bull in 11 years, st helens area. Quit hunting elk in washington to many idiots during rifle season on the west side.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: olsy on January 15, 2010, 09:34:52 PM: 0 for 7, eastern side modern
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: FureForBulls on January 15, 2010, 10:57:52 PM: packwood rifle, 2 for 4, 1 cow 1 bull in this decade

My pops is a westside stud probably killed 30 bulls since 1960 before he left Wa, and went to Idaho before the wolves got there.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: WAPITIHUNTER on January 16, 2010, 12:01:57 PM: I am currently at 71 percent on harvest. Opportunity I am currently at 94 percent since 1992 when I started elk hunting.

Rifle and Archery combined.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Jason on January 16, 2010, 12:15:36 PM: 3x3 in 05, 6x6 in 06, 4x4 in 08, 3x4 in 09 w/multi tag, all with rifle no permits. I started hunting Elk in 2004.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: poohdog on January 16, 2010, 12:56:38 PM: I have taken 8 with a rifle and 8 with my bow. This one my biggest with bow.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Kowsrule30 on January 16, 2010, 01:39:07 PM: I'm 5 out of 14 years.... All in Cowichie.. nevr hunted elk anywhere else... 1st bull was a 3x4 the last year of any bull.... :chuckle: 2000 I took a spike.... 2002 drew a cow tag first time putting in nailed her withi 10 mins of shooting light.... 2004 drew another cow tag.... Pretty much same thing.... :) 2008 drew any bull tag.... :chuckle: Put it to good use on day 3... My biggest so far.... ;)
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: D-Rock425 on January 17, 2010, 06:51:39 AM: I've shot 5 elk since 03 with my bow all in the early season. I didn't hunt early season in 07 becouse my daugther was born sept 19 bad planing by my part
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: norsepeak on January 17, 2010, 08:19:55 AM: 22 seasons, 18 of them archery. 15 elk down with the bow, and another 5 with the rifle....is that a good average? I'm not good at math. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Todd_ID on January 17, 2010, 08:44:31 AM: Quote from: norsepeak on January 17, 2010, 08:19:55 AM
22 seasons, 18 of them archery. 15 elk down with the bow, and another 5 with the rifle....is that a good average? I'm not good at math. :chuckle:

Yeah, 20 for 22 is pretty tough. Maybe you need some lessons or something?
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: remington300mag on January 17, 2010, 09:22:26 AM: When we still had a reasonably good late muzzy season I was lucky enough to get my cow 5 years in a row. With a couple early spikes mixed in. For a total of 7 years in a row. Since taking away all of our muzzy cow hunts, and taking away about 3/4 of the muzzy spike unit I hunt, haven't even had an opportunity!

I wonder what Whitefoot's average is?!?!?! :bash:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: runningboard on January 17, 2010, 09:51:47 AM: Quote
22 seasons, 18 of them archery. 15 elk down with the bow, and another 5 with the rifle....is that a good average? I'm not good at math.
Not good at math? maybe not, if you hunted 18 of 22 seasons with archery, how did you get 5 with a rifle? :dunno: you're 1 season short! :chuckle: great record though congrats.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: 7mm short mag on January 17, 2010, 10:12:35 AM: I have hunted elk for 16 years, my first spike got stolen by 2 guys in the bethel gmu (rifle). I got 4 cows, 1 bull(5x5) with a muzzy, 9 cows with a bow 14/16 LUCKY!
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: MAVsled on January 17, 2010, 02:09:27 PM: hunted elk in Eastern WA since 1968. Seriously, meaning every season. Most of our hunting partners (11) are gone to that big elk hunting meadow in heaven. Dads still around but doesn't go anymore. He may sit in camp this year, I hope. Last couple seasons he's been my mom's care giver. I sure hope to get him in camp in 2010 as mom is in assisted living facility now.

anyway: since '68 WA State: 21 bulls, 4 cows. All modern rifle, MF.
Out of state & public land: WY.1984-1 bull.MF, CO.1989-1 bull.MF, NM.1994-1bull.MF and last year in OR.2009.A-bull rosey w/archery.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: C-Money on January 17, 2010, 02:18:57 PM: Not real good for me, Just happy to have one killed. One spike bull in 2006. Been elk hunting for in WA for at least 15 years. Always seen a bunch, just not any legal ones. I havent drawn a bull tag either. I have only hunted the Colockum, its close to home!
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: norsepeak on January 17, 2010, 03:34:32 PM: good catch runningboard....wondered how long it would take someone to add that up....one of the rifle elk was from Idaho this year.... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Broken Arrow on January 17, 2010, 04:08:28 PM: 3 for 5 westside archery - 2 bulls 1 cow
2 for 5 eastside archery - 1 bull 1 cow
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: belkaholic on January 17, 2010, 11:33:55 PM: 3 for 8 with a bow with one bull( the one in the pic by my name). i think the guys with the good odds i would bet most, not all, but most are on private property or somthing.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: fish affender on January 18, 2010, 01:47:00 PM: i think success rates over all are low due too the fact that a lot of hunters dont hunt as hard or all season. some tags are purchased and never even hunted. personaly im 5 for 10 west side rifle. my last 3 in a row
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: colockumelk on January 19, 2010, 08:56:52 AM: Quote from: fish affender on January 18, 2010, 01:47:00 PM
i think success rates over all are low due too the fact that a lot of hunters dont hunt as hard or all season. some tags are purchased and never even hunted. personaly im 5 for 10 west side rifle. my last 3 in a row

Couldn't have said it better myself. Most guys drive the roads and or sit off the road within a 1/4 of a mile and are back to camp by 9. I'm not knocking it I'm just saying. It goes back to the "10% shoot the 90%" thing.

I guarantee that those 10% hunt harder than that. The nice thing about the road hunters etc is I don't have to walk as far in to get to the "kill zone." After about a mile to two miles off the beaten path is where I see the sign multiply by leaps and bounds. If everyone did that I'd have to walk like seven miles in. It doesn't matter what you do or how you hunt. Just as long as it's ethical, safe and you're having a blast.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: FureForBulls on January 23, 2010, 06:39:35 PM: I fully agree, You just have to hit the woods (hard), It took me a long time to figure it out.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: sdwwaverider on January 25, 2010, 04:52:09 PM: 0/6 modern (Winston Unit) Saw lots of elk no shooters except in the back of trucks coming out. Saw too many hunters. Couple of good guys I met & lot's I wouldn't go to a gun range with.

1/3 archery (5pt) (opportunity this year but no deal) Westside but not the Winston Unit.

Funny this year I took a friend up to Winston for a day late elk and this is the 1st year it's cow only late and we weren't 20 minutes past the closed gate I have hunted and there were 2 bulls at 70 yards. 1 a decent 5X5 and the other a toad 5X0 (1 antler missing). Good to see them make it through the modern firearm circus that inspired me to archery hunt. My buddy wanted to take pics but I thought they might have cows with them and we worked around the timber for nothing. Should have got the pics.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: JDNehl on January 26, 2010, 07:52:48 AM: 0/5 on the wetside!
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: huntandjeep on January 26, 2010, 09:18:08 AM: 2 for 12 one 3x4 on bethel rifle and a cow in cowiche muzzleloader. been drawn 4 or 5 more times for cow either didnt see any or to far away or no time to hunt.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: WSU on January 26, 2010, 10:28:38 AM: I'm curious how much everyone hunts during the season. Would all the people who post, and who posted above, write how many days the spend in the field each season? I'm betting those on here with really good success rates spend a lot of days in the field, and I also be they do a fair amount of scouting.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: bonkellekter on January 26, 2010, 10:43:36 AM: I usually take 1 week vacation for elk season (9 days including both weekends) though 2008 I only had 4 days and still was able to get a 5 point
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: 6x6in6 on January 26, 2010, 11:02:16 AM: It's varied in my 29 seasons of hunting. If I did an out of state quality hunt, I blew all my vacation time there and the WA hunt was strictly weekends, with maybe a couple Monday's or Friday's tossed in once in a great while.

It would take some serious thought, but I'd venture to guess that virtually all of my 13 were taken in the first 4 days of the season. One I know for sure was taken with about an hour left of the season 6-7 years ago. I had to call in sick Monday to get the spike out. What a shame! :chuckle: He almost survived the onslaught....
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: 7mm short mag on January 26, 2010, 02:16:51 PM: Quote from: 7mm short mag on January 17, 2010, 10:12:35 AM
I have hunted elk for 16 years, my first spike got stolen by 2 guys in the bethel gmu (rifle). I got 4 cows, 1 bull(5x5) with a muzzy, 9 cows with a bow 14/16 LUCKY!

I spend all day of every day of the season in the woods, and hunt with friends during their season. Hunting is my passion so I don't let much get in my way. Also most of my elk are out of the areas that i've seen them the year before. 6 of the cows with my bow were out of the same heard for 6 strait years.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Broken Arrow on January 26, 2010, 02:33:06 PM: I spend the entire elk season in the woods. In regards to scouting.....at least 3, 3 day weekends, sometimes more,
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: colockumelk on January 26, 2010, 06:06:41 PM: From 2000-2004 I was in the Marine Corps. So I hunted Haji not elk. From 2005-2009 I was in colleg so I could only afford to take weekends off to hunt. So needless to say it's been a dry 10 hunting seasons.

And the next couple of seasons don't look anybetter. I'll be in Army Flight School in Alabama. So I doubt I'll even be able to go. If I am able to go there wont be any scouting time abailable and it'll be a strictly TLAR (That Looks About Right) method of choosing a place to hunt After that when I'm NOT deployed (again hunting Haji) scouting time will be by map since I'll be stationed elsewhere and thus can only come over when I'm on leave.

I realize how winey this post sounds. I didn't mean it to sound that way. It is what it is. I wouldn't have it any other way. There isn't anything I'd rather do than put on a uniform and fly helicopters for the Army.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Yardmaster on January 26, 2010, 06:28:59 PM: 1/1 on west side muzzle got a 3x4 first elk , 0/2 on archery last 2 years on east side, 1/5 on east side rifle, got a cow in the cowiche. My 12 year old boy is 0/2 on east side rifle. Not to many spikes running around lately. But we do love chasing the wapati...
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: norsepeak on January 27, 2010, 12:44:10 PM: in 2009, I spent 46 days hunting just elk. Probably another 20+ hunting deer, around 25 hunting bear, and probably 100+ scouting.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: Little Fish on January 27, 2010, 05:39:49 PM: You guys are making me feel bad. I really started making an effort to hunt elk 4 years ago and I'm 0/4. The first year I hunted with a muzzleloader and the last 3 years have been with a bow. I've been progressively getting better/closer every year and really don't have a good excuse for not killing an elk this year. I started out hunting 3-4 days the first couple years, then 5-6 the next year and finally last year I hunted 9 days. I anticipate I'll be hunting 9 days plus every year from here on out.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: nw_bowhunter on January 27, 2010, 05:53:43 PM: I started elk hunting 10 years ago with a bow and have only harvested 1 cow elk. I have actually been hunting elk less and less due to time restrictions.
Title: Re: Elk Hunter Success rates in WA
Post by: high country on January 28, 2010, 05:52:18 AM: I used to quit my job come hunting season. now, I just request a layoff....lol. typically I will hunt the entire season and scout twice that through the year.