Like other mentioned, the elk are where they are. Also, you mentioned you are mostly bow hunter, so the open area's of the east side will play against that logic with a bow in your hand. Elk overall success in this state is quite low, it ain't mid west deer hunting around the farm. Archery gives you much more time to hunt and most places an early and late season. Late season after the rut and chances to catch the cows herding back up. I see new to Washington, don't know if that means new to elk hunting, if so, the wind is enemy number one. Again, others have said, get out this year and learn some territory, locate some elk and sign, and then hunt the wind.