Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: SURVEYOR on January 20, 2010, 01:38:30 PM
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I was thinking of going Packwood, but now I'm leaning more toward Siouxon, or just going east of the mountains to the Chiwawa GMU. Lot's of people? Any Elk?
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Siouxon would be a good choice, although you'll be sure to find a lot of people there, just like anywhere else. Chiwawa you would be pretty lonely, elk numbers somewhere between nonexistent and very few.
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Siouxon is not as good as it once was... Look back at the harvest stats and see how it has declined since they quit cutting in the national forest...
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Yes that is true but either is Packwood. And Chiwawa, well...that's just a mule deer unit, virtually no elk there. But yeah, at least you wouldn't have the problem of too many elk hunters. :)
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What season? Where we go in Siouxon it has a small number of elk...though if you get WAY back in and away from people, the hunting can be pretty decent. Though I will admit...if your looking for big bulls...not the unit ( I know state record came from there)...lots of rags...but if your not a trophy hunter and not that picky....lots of fun and sucess.
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Siouxon has tanked over the last 10 years. Clearcuts are all grown up - its all timber hunting now if you can find any open timber. Bow season gets some action but by rifle season the few bulls left are holed up in the reprod. Now that everyone has a gps Indian Heaven gets pounded hard too. You can go 3 or 4 days without seeing any animals - maybe all season if you aren't lucky. Bigger bulls in Packwood area for sure.
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If your talking elk and the Chiwawa they don't go together. Best best is go where the major herds are, Clockum, Mt. Saint Helens, Yakima, etc. Best bet draw a special permit.
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Ive hunted siouxon area during general season archery elk for about last 10 yrs. We have been into elk every year. As stated there are a s#$tload of people in area :'( , but most seem to stay close to roads or established trails. If you don't mind putting in a bit of leg work u can do fairly well. Go into the deep draws and you should find the elk. Hope this helps
