Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: USAFpj on November 28, 2011, 04:06:37 PM
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Boy is it me, or was this a rough year? The early archery elk was way too dry and hot, and the late elk have somehow vanished. Out of the last (4) years, the elk have always been on the cuts in the morning and late afternoon. This is the first year that I didn't see (1) elk for the last 4 days; that's unusual. I polled a good many road hunters as to what their thoughts were, and they seemed mesmerized as well. We had a lot of wind, some good rain, and even a good drop in temp, but it was like one good ol' boy said- that "alien bigfoot" had stolen all the elk. I'm mostly hunting the upper end of the Winston, but I hit the lower end as well. And when I mean "hit", I walk in the deep woods from 0645 to 1700, talking to people when I can. Am I going crazy?? I came in to take a shower and hit it again, but I'm puzzled...
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Think! Were didn't you look at? don't get complasent! they are there ;)
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I can tell you that they sure didn't cruise all the way down to the Green River from the highest peak in the Winston. I thought they may be hiding in the reprod, so I took 5 hours out of a day to walk to the river, then back up :o. If you've ever done that, you'll never do it again. I sure wish it would rain again.
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Road hunters are not the ones to poll. They never see anything and according to them (at least the ones I talk to) its always a bad year. It's always too hot, or a full moon or insert random unknown cause. The elk are where they always are. Unless a spot receives pressure it normally doesn't get. During this time of year when tjey migrate down they travel along the same routes. They also typically hang out in the same bedding areas and feed in the same places year to year. Unless.... They get pressured by someone.
Early season I call. But late season I don't even look for elk. I look for their travel routes and their elk highways. I get upwind and sit. Probably what's happened is due to pressure they are in the clearcuts but leave before it gets light. So find their routes to and from their feeding to bedding and sit it. Treestands work great. Get in there an hour before light so you dont bump them. Evens will be awesome for you as well. For evenings get as close to the bedding areas as you can safely do so. Also if you can find a spot where they will get up and feed mid day in places that are near their bedding but not in the open.
Good luck.
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My brother took his archery buddy out to the Winston today.. they saw 15 head. Could not get close enough for an arrow shot. Most of what they saw were in Clearcuts. :dunno: :dunno:
