Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: chaffee_kevin on March 18, 2010, 08:18:46 PM

Title: western washington areas?
Post by: chaffee_kevin on March 18, 2010, 08:18:46 PM: I moved here a couple months ago. Just learning the area. Does anyone know of any decent areas to archery hunt for elk? On the western side of the state, also would like to stay away from a lot of people. I don't want anyones seceret spot. Im not into that. Just looking for some area to go to. I don't know the area at all. Im in the puyallup area.
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: bobcat on March 18, 2010, 08:21:36 PM: It's hard to stay away from people if you want to hunt where there are elk. I think if you're really serious about avoiding people, try some of the units on the Olympic Peninsula, mainly on the north and west sides.
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: bonecrusher on March 18, 2010, 09:16:17 PM: yup i know lots of good spots around here, and yup there all secret
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: Little Dave on March 19, 2010, 12:12:23 AM: Harvest reports might help.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2008/elk_general.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2008/elk_general.html)
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: dreamingbig on March 19, 2010, 08:41:56 AM: There are not many spots left with few hunters and elk. Good luck!
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: WSU on March 19, 2010, 09:25:28 AM: I am gonna have to disagree with some on here. There are tons of spots with lots of elk and few people, especially during early archery when all the gates are closed. If you get a few miles behind a gate, the crowd really thins out. Same was true for me last year during early muzzeloader (had the multiseason). I had days last year where I hunted daylight to dark and didn't see another hunter once I left the gate. These same times I was in elk every day, often multiple times a day.

As far as where to go, check the SW Washington units, such as (in no particular order) Ryderwood, Winston, Coweeman, Stella, etc.
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: bowtech721 on March 19, 2010, 09:41:25 AM: Quote from: WSU on March 19, 2010, 09:25:28 AM
I am gonna have to disagree with some on here. There are tons of spots with lots of elk and few people, especially during early archery when all the gates are closed. If you get a few miles behind a gate, the crowd really thins out. Same was true for me last year during early muzzeloader (had the multiseason). I had days last year where I hunted daylight to dark and didn't see another hunter once I left the gate. These same times I was in elk every day, often multiple times a day.

As far as where to go, check the SW Washington units, such as (in no particular order) Ryderwood, Winston, Coweeman, Stella, etc.
i kinda agree other than that those units might not be the best examples but maybe
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: WSU on March 19, 2010, 09:43:03 AM: Perhaps not the best, but popular with plenty of elk. If you can't get into elk there, somethings wrong.
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: HighCountryHunter88 on March 19, 2010, 09:47:43 AM: look at some of the wilderness areas south of rainier... more work but you be in the elk with less competition
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: Wazukie on March 19, 2010, 10:10:10 AM: Lewis River, Spencer Medow Not sure how many elk are up there anymore but thats where I used to hunt. Now I just hunt the Mountian
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: BENCHLEG on March 19, 2010, 08:16:39 PM: south rainer has as many people as the lewis river at times. good luck
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: belkaholic on March 21, 2010, 10:51:47 PM: if you live in puyallup, then ther is no reason to drive 2 or 3 hours to go hunt elk. there is the white river unit for spec. permit hunts and the mashel, scookumchuck, puyallup and stormking units for otc hunts. i saw 50 plus cows and 2 bulls yester day only 40mins from my house in puyallup. and yes they were on public land. got a 5x7 in 08 and missed a 6x6 in 09 but 2 days later got a cow. you do have to do some scouting and mayby some walking behind gates but there is plenty of areas to hunt. for more info let me know. good luck.
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: duckmen1 on March 23, 2010, 09:55:10 AM: now its time to keep it quiet about the exact location of your spot belkaholic
keep it quiet from the world and you'll have a better hunt with more success :)
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: Elkpiss on March 23, 2010, 11:30:48 AM: Quote from: duckmen1 on March 23, 2010, 09:55:10 AM
now its time to keep it quiet about the exact location of your spot belkaholic
keep it quiet from the word and you'll have a better hunt with more success :)
:yeah: x 100
Title: Re: western washington areas?
Post by: belkaholic on March 24, 2010, 07:26:37 PM: my lips are sealed... my honey holes arnt that much of a scret anyways, i just hunt it harder and a little differnt. thanks for the advice though. sometimes i get to excited about see animals that i just start talking to much. :P