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Author Topic: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…  (Read 5684 times)

Offline iRem

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WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« on: February 20, 2024, 02:56:38 PM »
Like the title says, if you had one or two choices to hunt quality elk in the state of WA, what would it be and why?

My choice is Archery and I’m torn between 2 areas, Colockum & Peaches. My #1 reason for the Colockum is based on the quality of elk I’ve personally seen throughout the years. #2 Peaches, I’ve hunted it twice several years ago and wasn’t successful, and I feel it’s time to conquer it this year.

I’ve hunted the east side for years, but a few years ago my son asked if we can go chase bugles instead of unicorns, and that would only include the West Side based on the points I had and the likelihood of not drawing a bull tag on the East Side. This year I feel I have enough points to draw the multi season Elk and can put in for the East Side Units, and if I don’t get drawn I can still chase bugling elk in the early season over in the West Side.

What say you…

Offline pianoman9701

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2024, 02:58:50 PM »
I don't put in for special hunts but if I did, it would be your two choices.
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Offline Rugergunsite308

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2024, 04:22:03 PM »
I know it's cliche, but the mudflow for archery was awesome for me this year. (I did a write up on it if you want to look at that). The mountain country mixed with screaming elk was awesome. Plus I prefer roosies to rocky's. It's steep country but it's close to me in SW WA. Additionally, it is only open to special tag holders unlike some other quality elk units, where the general public can chase spikes or cows. I can honestly say I never ran into another hunter while inside the unit.
As I'm writing this, I'm rethinking about singing the Flows praises. Don't need anyone else applying. Maybe I'll get it again.  :chuckle:

Offline MADMAX

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2024, 04:37:40 PM »
Colockum
Peaches
Solid choices IMO
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Offline LDennis24

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2024, 04:44:03 PM »

Hanford National Monument

Suncadia

 :chuckle:

Offline GOcougsHunter

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2024, 04:53:25 PM »
Olympic National Park
Rainier National Park

 :chuckle:
Introduce someone new to hunting this year.

Offline MADMAX

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2024, 05:13:11 PM »
That’s like shooting a yard deer :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Offline CarbonHunter

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2024, 05:58:24 PM »
Colockum
Peaches
Solid choices IMO

Yep, you and about a few thousand more people in Washington feel this way every year.

Offline teanawayslayer

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2024, 06:20:39 PM »
Blues and  blues great thread. :bdid:
Happiness is being in the woods!!!

Offline X-Force

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2024, 06:49:26 PM »
1 an any elk unit on the east side
2 a 3pt unit on the west side.
People get offended at nothing at all. So, speak your mind and be unapologetic.

Offline emac

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2024, 06:58:03 PM »
Blues and  blues great thread. :bdid:
You need to stay in your own lane

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Offline trophyhunt

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2024, 07:11:30 PM »
Took 12 points to get multi for me last year, had 28 points and put in for colock archery, have 29 this year.  You already know, but our odds are terrible.  Your choices will get you a heck of a hunt either way, but we both could be waiting for decades.
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Offline dreamingbig

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2024, 06:57:21 PM »
Like the title says, if you had one or two choices to hunt quality elk in the state of WA, what would it be and why?

My choice is Archery and I’m torn between 2 areas, Colockum & Peaches. My #1 reason for the Colockum is based on the quality of elk I’ve personally seen throughout the years. #2 Peaches, I’ve hunted it twice several years ago and wasn’t successful, and I feel it’s time to conquer it this year.

I’ve hunted the east side for years, but a few years ago my son asked if we can go chase bugles instead of unicorns, and that would only include the West Side based on the points I had and the likelihood of not drawing a bull tag on the East Side. This year I feel I have enough points to draw the multi season Elk and can put in for the East Side Units, and if I don’t get drawn I can still chase bugling elk in the early season over in the West Side.

What say you…
I say you will be waiting a long time for a bull permit on the east side.


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Offline High Climber

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2024, 08:29:04 PM »
Blues all the way
#1 Dayton
#2 Tucannon
Muzzy if I could draw them but I’d settle for archery

Offline Klickitatsteelie

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2024, 12:19:20 PM »
Both solid choices. Clockum gets a lot of spike hunting pressure as well and recently a whole lot of rifle pressure in September by the natives. Just something to take into consideration

Offline ShedHead20

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #15 on: February 26, 2024, 03:52:12 PM »
There's no elk in the Blues

Offline jstone

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #16 on: February 28, 2024, 03:36:19 PM »
How often have you drawn your second elk choice? I have 18 points

Offline teanawayslayer

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2024, 05:26:45 PM »
There's no elk in the Blues
I think that’s actually becoming a reality >:(
Happiness is being in the woods!!!

Offline Shooter4

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #18 on: February 28, 2024, 08:51:50 PM »
Took 12 points to get multi for me last year, had 28 points and put in for colock archery, have 29 this year.  You already know, but our odds are terrible.  Your choices will get you a heck of a hunt either way, but we both could be waiting for decades.
Average draw is 10 for colockum archery

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #19 on: February 28, 2024, 09:32:20 PM »
Took 12 points to get multi for me last year, had 28 points and put in for colock archery, have 29 this year.  You already know, but our odds are terrible.  Your choices will get you a heck of a hunt either way, but we both could be waiting for decades.
Average draw is 10 for colockum archery
The "average points to draw" listed in the game regs IS NOT an accurate depiction of real draw odds and should NEVER be viewed as any kind of expectation of drawing. WA is a bonus points state so any given year you could have a few guys with 1 or 2 points draw which brings the average points used to draw a tag way down.  All that number shows is the overall average points of all tag holders that drew. I've been asking wdfw for years to eliminate them from the regs to no avail. It gives applicants a false sense of hope.


How often have you drawn your second elk choice? I have 18 points
I've drawn 3 bull permits as a second choice. 2009, 2016, and 2018.
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Offline Magnum_Willys

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #20 on: February 28, 2024, 09:43:12 PM »
20 points archery blues this year - figure I have 1 in 30 chance?

Offline dreamingbig

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WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #21 on: February 28, 2024, 10:01:22 PM »
20 points archery blues this year - figure I have 1 in 30 chance?
I think it is closer to 1 in 300. 

But a few odds published suggest close to your 1 in 30 estimate.


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« Last Edit: February 28, 2024, 10:16:58 PM by dreamingbig »
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #22 on: February 28, 2024, 10:24:03 PM »
 Yakima Nation tag, and Colville Tribe tag. :rolleyes:
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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #23 on: February 28, 2024, 10:26:37 PM »
Took 12 points to get multi for me last year, had 28 points and put in for colock archery, have 29 this year.  You already know, but our odds are terrible.  Your choices will get you a heck of a hunt either way, but we both could be waiting for decades.

screw that Id rather apply for units with FAR greater odds and still chase huge bulls and do it several times versus once. Rate Im at Id would draw 4-5 quality tags. I have drawn 3 in 18 years

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #24 on: February 29, 2024, 06:43:42 AM »
Took 12 points to get multi for me last year, had 28 points and put in for colock archery, have 29 this year.  You already know, but our odds are terrible.  Your choices will get you a heck of a hunt either way, but we both could be waiting for decades.

screw that Id rather apply for units with FAR greater odds and still chase huge bulls and do it several times versus once. Rate Im at Id would draw 4-5 quality tags. I have drawn 3 in 18 years
I would agree with you if I had more time to take off and explore, I really only know a few units for elk that hold BIG bulls.  I get to hunt over the counter for 3 point or better bulls if I keep applying for the west side, when I don't draw, it doesn't hurt as much.  I don't apply east side unless I have the multi tag, I know that is where the big bulls are, yeah there are some over here on the west but not the quality like the east.  If you wanna share some easy units to draw that have 350+ bulls in it, I'm all ears!!   :chuckle:
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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #25 on: February 29, 2024, 07:24:00 AM »
Easy unit?  350+?  Better hurry, have not had much calf recruitment for years and the big boys are getting a little long in the tooth.  They do not live forever

Offline iRem

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #26 on: February 29, 2024, 08:32:00 AM »
I know personally, once I draw my next quality elk permit, I’m done applying for “Quality” Elk hunts, just don’t think I’ll ever draw again for those hunts. The amount of points one has to just draw a multi season tag is getting out of control.  :dunno:

Offline jstone

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #27 on: February 29, 2024, 08:51:08 AM »
 :yeah:

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #28 on: February 29, 2024, 09:25:19 AM »
You guys are nuts. Your telling me the chance to draw some of the best elk tags in North America isn't worth $13 to you?  People need to stop looking at a bonus system such as WA as some sort of investment where you are owed a return. You're buying a lotto ticket, a chance to win something spectacular.  Nothing more. I'm certainly not gonna complain about less competition for limited entry tags however so I fully support you all sticking to OTC :chuckle:
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Offline jstone

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #29 on: February 29, 2024, 09:36:30 AM »
I turned 56 this year
18 quality points deer and elk. I don’t hunt by the roads so I think I will have around 14 good years left to hunt the way I do.

That’s my thinking

Offline iRem

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #30 on: February 29, 2024, 12:03:41 PM »
Ok, ok, ok…if I draw this year I will continue to put in for at least another 10 maybe 15 years tops before I can longer run the ridges. The way I am feeling after turning 50 it starts to hurt.  I guess a $200 investment over 15 years is cheap with little to no expectations.

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #31 on: February 29, 2024, 12:21:24 PM »
I will prob still put in when I draw out, but, it won't run my hunting life.  I'll put in for whats available for the weapon and side of the mountains I'll be hunting OTC, just hunt and not let my choice hunts control me.  After waiting 29 years for quality and bull categories, I won't be around to wait that long again.  I know, i could have drawn the mud flow or some other small bull unit prob 5 or more times already, but those elk just aren't what I'm after.  It is a fun time of year though when it comes to decided what to do, my head spins a bit, too many choices.  Archery has to be the most fun and rewarding hunt, but it's tough.  Muzzy also fun, in the rut as well, but it also has it's troubles.  The best would be rifle rut, see elk, dead elk!  But you could be putting in for those few tags for 3 lifetimes.  I agree with what huntnfool said, I'd take the yakama tribal or collvile tag!! 
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Offline dreamingbig

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #32 on: February 29, 2024, 12:45:00 PM »
Bonus points - agreed they are fairly worthless.  To improve odds, I would like them to limit the choice to one unit or consider everyone’s 1st choice before going to anyone seconds choice.

I will still be applying but WA elk is not my top choice any longer.  When it has to be I will deal with it again.


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Online crabcreekhunter

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #33 on: February 29, 2024, 06:44:15 PM »
You guys are nuts. Your telling me the chance to draw some of the best elk tags in North America isn't worth $13 to you?  People need to stop looking at a bonus system such as WA as some sort of investment where you are owed a return. You're buying a lotto ticket, a chance to win something spectacular.  Nothing more. I'm certainly not gonna complain about less competition for limited entry tags however so I fully support you all sticking to OTC :chuckle:
This.  I’ve never drawn a quality elk tag but been on a few any bull hunts and they have been world class hunts/adventures. With how much money most individuals waste in a year $25 bucks for elk apps is stupid cheap for the return you can get on some of these hunts.  Long odds but someone has to win!
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Offline trophyhunt

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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #34 on: February 29, 2024, 06:56:45 PM »
I agree, the hunts are or can be world class.  The frustration comes from being a resident and drawing once or maybe twice in your life in a premium unit.  Some of these units used to be OTC, like the white river.  Grew up hunting that place.  I get peoples frustrations 100%. The system sucks
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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #35 on: February 29, 2024, 07:01:45 PM »
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Re: WA Only, if you had 1 or 2 Choices…
« Reply #36 on: March 05, 2024, 07:00:32 AM »
If It wasnt for a couple of the eastside units id be hunting west side muzzy  ;)

 


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