Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: fair-chase on September 28, 2010, 10:18:20 AM
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I don't know if this year is going to be a blessing or a curse. After doing more scouting than I have done in the past five years combined, my usual elk hunting grounds are looking worse than ever. With only days left before the muzzy opener, do I stick it out in an area that I know from top to bottom ( but is lacking #s), or strike out for new territory. I have done some online research of other areas but feel that nothing replaces years of boot time in a location. Really lost on this one. Any advice would be appriciated.
I did not include GMUs because I am not looking for your spot, just a general question stick it out or go roaming?
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HMMMM :dunno: that is a tough decision that is for sure. I would say Roam BUT that is hard especially since you know the area so well. BUT the numbers are low :bash: :bash: :bash: what to do is something that you will have to choose. although the only way to learn another are that has good numbers is just go. that is what we are doing this year. last 4 years over in the blues and now we descided to stay here on the west side so all the research and pounding the dirt starts over But i am pretty optomistic on our out come for this year. that is just my :twocents: I say roam to another area. :hunter: Good luck..
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Sounds like a good time to learn a new area. That way you will have 2 areas you know like the back of your hand and will have a plan a and b for next year.
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I know the feeling. This is what I ended up doing. I used to hunt elk in an area that became over run with hunters. All kinds but a lot of stupid drunks shooting in the middle of the night kind. I opted to look at areas that my have less elk but a lot less hunters. This worked out great for me. When I get away from the roads there are some days I see no hunters at all. All I have to do is find the elk. I enjoy my times hunting a whole lot more....learned new areas...and see elk and no people.....and it's an ANY BULL area.
Learning a new area is not as bad as it sounds sometimes. You see things you may not otherwise. Like a burned up dimembered barbie (picture on another thread)....sadly I left her how I found her. :chuckle:
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I say roam. To catch fish you have to go to where the fish are....its the same with animals and hunting. Fortunately there are a lot of online resources to give you a big head start so you won't be starting cold. In the long run you will be better off knowing more potential places to hunt.
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Thanks for the advice. I love finding new areas to hunt. Just not a couple of days before I hunt them :yike:
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Elk move too. But they can just be cycling thru and not there when your there. Tomarrow they could be back. If there is fresh sign, no pressure, Id opt to stay at least a couple days to really have a good look.
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Thanks wildman, but I just dont see it hapening there with this weather. If I dont find anything in the new area I will definatly go back for late season there. I think after the snow falls it will be worth returning to. Just to low of an elevation for the early season this year.
Good luck to all. I will let ya know what the results are when I get back.
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I know roaming is good. If you know an area like you do, and if there is elk. I bet you can get an elk out of that area. It might not be the big bull you wanted but you got something, meat in the freezer. Its a hard one because I like putting miles on my feet too. I say stick it out, you know the spots to go to get away from other hunters or the place the elk go under pressure. Good luck Im leaving Friday.
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You still have time to learn another area. I would use that approach. We probably will hunt a new one next year. Looking for that spot with less hunters.
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when its time its time. last year I changed, started hunting with the slayer and tbotts and I don't regret it, still unlucky but giving it a hell of a try. you can always go back and give it a look. maybe others in your area are thinking the same and if they all go, you could have it all to yourself... good luck with whatever you do. :dunno: :brew:
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as far as #'s go all I need is 1 :chuckle:
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Learning a new area is not as bad as it sounds sometimes. You see things you may not otherwise. Like a burned up dimembered barbie (picture on another thread)....sadly I left her how I found her.
Crackin me up to the point of tears...remembering a trip in Idaho long ago. About 10 miles in we found the head off a store manequin sitting in the dirt. We packed her all the way back to camp and slipped her in a brothers sleeping bag...man we waited for laughs or screams or something all night...nothing. The next morning he walks in for chow with a big toothy grin and says "thanks brothers, THAT was the best head I ever had" I'm still crackin up-thanks for stirring up the old memory
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I don't know if this year is going to be a blessing or a curse. After doing more scouting than I have done in the past five years combined, my usual elk hunting grounds are looking worse than ever. With only days left before the muzzy opener, do I stick it out in an area that I know from top to bottom ( but is lacking #s), or strike out for new territory. I have done some online research of other areas but feel that nothing replaces years of boot time in a location. Really lost on this one. Any advice would be appriciated.
I did not include GMUs because I am not looking for your spot, just a general question stick it out or go roaming?
Are you hunting ML or MF?
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i did the same thing. lots of scouting and game cams. the closer to season the less i saw. i made myself stick it out ,telling myself that they will eventualy come through, like they normaly do. for 8 days i chased the same 6x6 around. he sat in the same 20 acre reprod and swamp and never gave me a clear shot. not evan a cow was seen. i wish i would have tryed somewhare else after the 3rd or 4th day. but you never know.
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Thanks for all the great responses. Leaving in the am to go to a new spot. Oh and Dawei, I am huntin muzzy for elk and modern for deer. The wife is looking to take her first deer this year and she does not like the muzzy's. :'( Scheduling worked out fine though. I get to be in the woods quite a bit this year. This is what my schedule looks like:
Oct 2-8 Elk hunting west side
Oct 9-15 No work :IBCOOL:
Oct 16-29 Deer hunting east side
Oct 30- Nov 24 Building my new house
Nov 24-30 Elk hunting west side
I normally try calling in Mt. Lions after the late muzzy hunt but WDFW screwed that up for me. Guess I will have to go back to work after thats over. :bash:
