Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: sixty4nhalf on September 28, 2011, 11:59:38 AM
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Now before I get bombarded with 100's of negitive replys, I am looking at going hunting elk in the 200 area's IE 218, 231, 224, general area, I have never been there and I have no problem going to different areas either. I am not looking to take over your honey hole, nor would I expect you to give up that information. I don't get to get out alot and scout around as much as I would like, considering I live in the Kitsap area. But are these good area's to go to? 2 years ago we hunted Little Naches on opening weekend for a "spike" only and the amount of hunters seamed to out number the trees. We got out there the night before with 30 mins to spare of daylight, and then my hunting party wanted to leave Sunday morning. Needless to say I was bit on the pissed side and convinced them to at least do a morning hunt on Sunday. I just want to make sure that my time on that side is well spent and possibly productive, I am also not looking for that trophy set of antlers (I have not found a good receipe for them yet) :chuckle: I have to look at buying some land out there.... ~!
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You wont find many hunters in those gmu's but thats because theres not alot of elk. better to stick with the 300 gmu's. just my :twocents: might be alot of hunters but theres alot more elk to.
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Are you absolutely set on hunting those areas? If not you should look at the GMU 500 series units. A lot of fine bulls are taken there every year.
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Well the 200 series was "any elk", so I was figuring it was either over run with elk or there were like you said very little in the area. I don't like the "pick a side" of the state rule but, oh well... I only get to hunt ever other year or so because of my job, Next years hunting season is NOT looking very promising for me unless I can knock them dead very early in the season. I'll have to look at that more as time gets closer, I'll have to hunt the rut with a stick. (Wish I should have done this year, but oh well).
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I think they like to throw in lots of areas into the regs to make it look like there is more hunting opportunity. Couple examples....your area (627-Kitsap) is 3 pt elk, 621 (Olympic) is permit only. I've stomped all around both and have seen quite a few elk in 621, but never even seen sign in 627. So why have a season? Or 624 has an open season, but excludes elk area 6071. You can find plenty examples throughout the regs for both fishing and hunting. I think it is a good idea to bounce the GMUs off the harvest reports. See what kind of numbers those areas actually produce (assuming they were submitted accurately).
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I am just so irritated :bash:, I just wish I had more time to scout around and find a spot.
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Some of those areas are set up because the state's goal is to manage some of those areas for other species. So they would like any elk in those particular areas killed off. Other areas, they manage for agriculture and so want animals killed off so they won't eat the crops.
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I have hunted the 200 series GMU's for the past 15 years (the joys of being born on the eastside of the state and have yet to see an elk, or any real sign that they are in the area. Most of the time there is an extremely small population that the locals know about, and wont give it up.
The reason it's any elk is because they are deer area's, and want to keep it that way. You would definetaly see some nice country, but elk on the other hand would be another story.
As it's already been stated, the reason that there are so many hunter's is because there are elk there, even if its a spike only unit.
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Well I really don't know what to do, If I wanted to just look at scenery I'd get one of them Discovery passes....
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Are you absolutely set on hunting those areas? If not you should look at the GMU 500 series units. A lot of fine bulls are taken there every year.
Yeah, if your not set on the eastside come hunt this side. Lots of elk in some of the 500 series gmu's. But like where you hunted before, your always going to have a ton of people when it comes to modern elk. It's simple to find them though, just think where would you go if everytime you stuck your neck out and you was getting shot at or jumped up. The holes where most people look down at and say they can have that hole. Thats the only way to hunt heavy pressured areas over here. Except for the lucky road hunter that kills the bull that I jump out of that hole. :chuckle:
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Unfortunately this year I have already purchased my modern East side tags. Next year (due to operational commitment, kind of hard to harvest any animals where I will be at) I will be hunting archery.
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Unfortunately this year I have already purchased my modern East side tags. Next year (due to operational commitment, kind of hard to harvest any animals where I will be at) I will be hunting archery.
did you apply for any special permits that required the East Modern Firearm Elk tag?
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If you know the Little Naches GMU then go back there. Theres alot of elk there. If you get away from the roads you won't see people. If you go into the wilderness area and go further than a mile from a road you'll see lots of elk and no people. Of course if you stick close to a road you'll see lots of people and little elk.
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:yeah: lots of elk there
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did you apply for any special permits that required the East Modern Firearm Elk tag?
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No I didn't apply for any special permits, just going out for general season.
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Rtspring was offering to help guys out in that area. Plus he is former Navy as well which means you could hold hands while you hike after elk. :chuckle:
