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Author Topic: Eastside vs Westside Elk  (Read 4680 times)

Offline pickardjw

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Eastside vs Westside Elk
« on: September 27, 2021, 03:51:22 PM »
I'm hunting Elk for the first time this year since I bought the Get Outdoors license package. I went with an eastside muzzleloader tag, partially because I liked the idea of having two seasons and because I'm more familiar with some of the country over there (east cascades to the columbia). In my head that translated to better opportunity, but after diving more into it the late seasons seem pretty worthless. I want to stick with the muzzy tag going forward but I'm conflicted on where to concentrate my efforts.

Would you go with Westside tags in the future if you're just looking for better opportunity?


Offline dilleytech

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2021, 07:57:27 PM »
I think I live in the units your talking about and considering they did away with the cow hunts in late season it is pretty low odds. But I would hunt the areas closest to your home so you can scout more and find the elk.

Offline HooknoseHunter

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2021, 08:14:24 PM »
The west side is 100% better.
Western Washington is a *censored*hole country

Offline X-Force

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2021, 08:37:50 PM »
100% east side, better weather, better permits, more elk.
People get offended at nothing at all. So, speak your mind and be unapologetic.

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2021, 08:30:22 AM »
Is it possible to put in for quality tags on the eastside but have your OTC tag westside?

Offline kselkhunter

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2021, 08:37:53 AM »
Is it possible to put in for quality tags on the eastside but have your OTC tag westside?

No, not unless you are holding a multi season elk tag. 

I prefer west side muzzleloader OTC.   

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2021, 08:42:29 AM »
That's what I figured. Saw an old thread from 2013 that said that was changing, guess it never happened.

Looks like I'm going to start digging into westside research for next year. I should be able to scout more over here anyway. Eastside tag hasn't even started and it already feels like it's over.

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2021, 09:15:39 AM »
Quote
.
.
If you go with that attitude, it is...
.
If you have a spot already picked out, go and explore.
.
I always think about other spots to go hunting.
Until I find elk....
Then I forget what I was thinking...
.
East side has more land access (free) for camping.
Westside has more gates, but you usually have to camp somewhere else, and leave your vehicle to the mercy of tweakers.
Unless you buy an access permit.
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainer

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2021, 09:53:51 AM »
Access definitely seems like the biggest factor along with rain, but I have good rain gear. Or at least I think I do...Read a lot about it being crowded too but being a muzzy hunter that may be less of a concern.

Offline Tinmaniac

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2021, 11:56:00 AM »
Between the pay to play gates and out of control hoof rot Westside sucks.

Offline WSU

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2021, 12:23:45 PM »
Between the pay to play gates and out of control hoof rot Westside sucks.

It's getting that way.  Even if you are willing to pay, you still can't count on everyone getting an access permit.  It sold out in second this year.  I only buy it to hunt with my family, and I got one but the rest didn't.  Lame.

Offline pickardjw

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2021, 02:45:39 PM »
Forgot about the hoof rot issue...are there any concerns eating an elk that has it? Not sure if it's comparable to CWD regarding people not wanting to eat the meat...

Offline dilleytech

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2021, 03:13:21 PM »
Forgot about the hoof rot issue...are there any concerns eating an elk that has it? Not sure if it's comparable to CWD regarding people not wanting to eat the meat...

I would eat the meat in both cases.

Online High Climber

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2021, 05:00:57 PM »
Forgot about the hoof rot issue...are there any concerns eating an elk that has it? Not sure if it's comparable to CWD regarding people not wanting to eat the meat...
The meat is definitely compromised on hoof rot elk.  I’m not saying it’s not “safe” but I’ve stuck a knife into plenty of them to know that anything more than an extremely mild case the meat looks, and smells different. To each there own but that is not table fare for my family and I  :twocents:

Offline Dark2Dark

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Re: Eastside vs Westside Elk
« Reply #14 on: October 03, 2021, 09:53:24 AM »
Forgot about the hoof rot issue...are there any concerns eating an elk that has it? Not sure if it's comparable to CWD regarding people not wanting to eat the meat...
The meat is definitely compromised on hoof rot elk.  I’m not saying it’s not “safe” but I’ve stuck a knife into plenty of them to know that anything more than an extremely mild case the meat looks, and smells different. To each there own but that is not table fare for my family and I  :twocents:
Interesting. I shot a bull with pretty severe hoof rot and the meat was just like every other bull I have shot. Delicious.

 


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