Archery hunting for Roosevelts - escouting and other info

[JeffRaines]

First and foremost, yes I am looking for your honey hole. Shoot me over a pin where the biggest elk hangs out. Thanks!

For real though, I ended up purchasing a timber company permit this season in Western Washington. I live about 20 mins from the gate - other areas are 1+ hours away so it's a no-brainer... I'll easily save what I paid for the permit in fuel and time in short order.

Thing is, my permit isn't good until August, so I can't go over there and start any boots on the ground scouting until then. Figured I'd go about e-scouting this unit if possible.

Now before I go further, this is a 3pt or antlerless unit. I'm cool with either option. It's also known as a lower population unit, however a coworker of mine also hunts the same area and has went 3 for 4 in the last 4 years so I know they're in there. Some time ago, I also heard from another ex coworker that hunts it that the hunting can be good. Anyway, with that said...

A lot of the articles and courses available online focus on rockies. Its my understanding that there is some overlap between the two when it comes to some behaviors. However, I'd love to know if there are any dedicated learning resources for these elk. With my permit not being valid until August, it would be nice to have some areas earmarked/waypointed to check out in the meantime so I'm not caught with my pants completely down.

Any advice you can offer escouting or otherwise for roosies would be highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Bighorse]

Dude, sounds like you just need to go in there when the season begins and hunt. Honestly, ya already got good intelligence that shows a huntable surplus population. The most difficult part is gonna be getting past those cows chillin with your spike. Figure out how you'll remain in the woods overnight in close proximity to quality habitat. Or how you'll extract your harvest. Look over your maps and have a good feel for the distances and elevation then eat your breakfast and get hiking. Nice work securing access to a quality zone. Practice your shooting. After that it's the ABC's of Visual, Audio, and Scent concealment. Get a quality hunting partner too. Cuz.....reasons!

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Early mornings and late evenings beginning in august will tell you a lot. That’s usually when I start getting really serious about pinning down where Rosie’s are hanging

Other than that look for flat ridges and big flat bottoms that are near food (cuts) in this case. And go verify there are trails there or at least rubs on ridges and bottoms that show succession they have been made there year over year. (Rut activity)

Find old grades that may be used to feed on or travel

 

[JeffRaines]

Early mornings and late evenings beginning in august will tell you a lot. That’s usually when I start getting really serious about pinning down where Rosie’s are hanging

Other than that look for flat ridges and big flat bottoms that are near food (cuts) in this case. And go verify there are trails there or at least rubs on ridges and bottoms that show succession they have been made there year over year. (Rut activity)

Find old grades that may be used to feed on or travel

So this area is huge. Like, we’re talking 100k+ acres. Any other things to look for to narrow down more likely areas?

I appreciate the advice so far. It’s also my understanding that they’re usually homebodies and don’t travel as far as Rockies yeah?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Are there clear cuts or big alder patches growing in some subtle terrain (places likely to promote good feed) then look at adjacent ridges surrounding those places.

I don’t have the magic easy button for you unfortunately. You just need to find areas that have characteristics elk like an go look and accept you might get to some spots that are void of life and some that hold what you are looking for.

Typically our terrain is so thick they don’t have to travel unless it’s a bull in search of cows. They keep a pretty small circle from what I’ve gathered over the years. Especially if a bull gets cows and is smart they just bury themselves in thick pockets and feed at night.

 

[Bighorse]

I agree. In close proximity to your hunt, put your boots on the ground and identify where the hoofs are. Learn your dominant wind, bedding locations, do some trail and access work. Try to get into the sweet spot unheard.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

^thats pretty much it, no secret sauce just putting in work when you can

 

[JeffRaines]

I don’t have the magic easy button for you unfortunately.

I completely understand that. I don't think any part of hunting on this side of the mountains has a magic easy button.

My hope is to have a list of pins to check out once the gates open(and hopefully fire season doesn't affect me) so that way I can get to work. In other words, I'm trying to do everything I can to prep now.

Thanks again!

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I completely understand that. I don't think any part of hunting on this side of the mountains has a magic easy button.

My hope is to have a list of pins to check out once the gates open(and hopefully fire season doesn't affect me) so that way I can get to work. In other words, I'm trying to do everything I can to prep now.

Thanks again!

You have plan and that’s half the battle get after it and punch a tag! Good luck

 

[chizelhead]

You've received some good guidance. Also, since you live near by, plan on this as a multi-year experience. It takes time to learn the area. It looks like you'll have 5 weeks to scout on the ground assuming they don't shut the woods down due to fire danger. I'm not sure about your work schedule, but it's light late and you may be able to stretch your scout time on weeknights seeing you're so close to the gate.