Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: New England Native on March 16, 2008, 08:49:39 PM

Title: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: New England Native on March 16, 2008, 08:49:39 PM: I am new to elk hunting. I have moved here in 2003 went out elk hunting but noticed in order to be sucessful one needs to do their homework. I've talked to people over the years and hear some repeating information that Winston, Packwood and Lewis River are the best producing GMU's on the westside and the best permit to put in for is Margret. I will have 5 points this next season hopefully I can score something. I am not asking for anyone's honey hole but maybe some guidence on where to start. I served 4 years in the Marine Corps so hard work is not new to me. I am not afraid to put some miles on my boots. Any information would be helpful.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: jackelope on March 16, 2008, 08:56:44 PM: i'll take a stab at this...
have you looked at the harvest reports yet for the last couple years? they are on the wdfw website...
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/harvest/index.htm
the units you mentioned are all good based solely on the amount of talk on here regarding those units. the best thing you can do is pick a unit, get to know it and it's animal's habits very well and stick with it. they are all good.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: Jackjr on March 16, 2008, 09:02:41 PM: Depends on what weapon you want to use and if it is general season or special permit. I personally think that the wenaha unit if you are not afraid of working you a_ _ off is as good as it gets. Just my 2 cents worth. I have seen and picked up some pretty nice shed horns in the spring. But you are not going to shoot it from a pickup.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: bowhuntin on March 16, 2008, 09:32:32 PM: Are talking state wide or just on the westside of the state? There are a lot of good units on the east side of the state. Peaches Ridge is probably one of the more sought after tags for the Yakima area, not sure about the blues. It seems that there are some big animals down there too. I would browse through different topics posted in the past year and look at the animals that people harvested and posted here to see what caliber of animals there are and also look at the statistics from WDFW.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: Bigshooter on March 17, 2008, 12:38:18 PM: Sent you a pm.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: New England Native on March 17, 2008, 02:23:34 PM: Thanks for the pm bigshooter ;) I'll add that to the library of information I am compiling.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on March 17, 2008, 09:27:12 PM: Bow musket, rifle? Lots of bulls within walking distance of your town....
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: andrew_12gauge on March 18, 2008, 05:27:12 PM: if you wanna hunt the eastside and feel like killing yourself for an elk you might look into the watershed, there have been some monster bulls taken out of that unit in the past but if youre not ready to do that look anywhere around the I-90 corridor or yakima, i know nothing about the wetside
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: Wea300mag on March 18, 2008, 05:46:45 PM: Quote from: andrew_12gauge on March 18, 2008, 05:27:12 PM
if you wanna hunt the eastside and feel like killing yourself for an elk you might look into the watershed, there have been some monster bulls taken out of that unit in the past but if youre not ready to do that look anywhere around the I-90 corridor or yakima, i know nothing about the wetside

The watershed is definitely a steep mother, but I'm willing to self mutilate myself (sorry for stealing your quote bone, I just like the way that sounded) for a monster bull. I've put in for that unit many times.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: andrew_12gauge on March 19, 2008, 08:25:04 PM: Quote from: Wea300mag on March 18, 2008, 05:46:45 PM
Quote from: andrew_12gauge on March 18, 2008, 05:27:12 PM
if you wanna hunt the eastside and feel like killing yourself for an elk you might look into the watershed, there have been some monster bulls taken out of that unit in the past but if youre not ready to do that look anywhere around the I-90 corridor or yakima, i know nothing about the wetside

The watershed is definitely a steep mother, but I'm willing to self mutilate myself (sorry for stealing your quote bone, I just like the way that sounded) for a monster bull. I've put in for that unit many times.

Not gonna lie it is usually in my 4 choices but it is usually down around 3 or 4, ive never understood the guys who shoot cows in that unit i mean meat is meat but if im in there hed better be sportin 360 inches of bone or better
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: huntnphool on March 19, 2008, 08:29:52 PM: GMU522 ;)
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: PolarBear on March 19, 2008, 08:52:36 PM: 560, even though I got my biggest in 503.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on March 19, 2008, 10:27:38 PM: 522 is full of elk right now...
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: MountainWalk on March 20, 2008, 12:43:00 AM: ive never killed a westside bull-do most of my elk hunting in mt or id-- but ive always been able to find elk in 615. missed a nice 7 point bull,so close yet so far away, ..not hunting there this year, no ml season...but always elk about, especially on the south fork hoh....prolly better units.. but in all the general westside hunt units,, ive seen the most elk here
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: high country on March 21, 2008, 11:52:04 AM: if you look at the harv reports and do plenty of scouting there are no shortage of good elk areas in wa. the trouble is the seasons are short and the pressure is high so after about 8am opening morning the rules change. I say pick one or two areas, scout them hard and often and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Title: Re: Best Elk GMU's
Post by: jstamp on March 21, 2008, 04:20:01 PM: sent you a pm