To Washington from Alaska

[InteriorAKPopsicle]

Hi, I’m in an argument with a buddy in Wenatchee, WA. I’m up in Fairbanks Alaska and I’m trying to plan a trip to come down and hunt elk in 2021, he says we can’t hunt Elk in Washington because Western is too crowded and Eastern you can’t shoot anything but Spikes with OTC tags u less you get a lucky draw.
I’m wondering if this is pretty accurate or just his bad perception. Also any tips or tricks that you can offer without giving secrets. I won’t be able to make it down for any kind of scouting.
I know we are a long ways away but my hunts this year are extremely limited because of a family vacation in June.
Final note, my buddy has a sister in Coeur d'alene Idaho so he says we just need to go there- is that a better idea?


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[Justdecent]

He’s spot on. Don’t get me wrong, there’s elk to be had in western Washington but it’s tough. Definitely attainable with some scouting and maybe some help from upstairs. Side note, what’s wrong with hunting spikes? If you’re set on a branched antlered bull, I would go to Idaho.

 

[colersu22]

If he is in Wenatchee and you hunt the clockum it is true spike and antlerless opens the second week I believe now.

 

[InteriorAKPopsicle]

He’s spot on. Don’t get me wrong, there’s elk to be had in western Washington but it’s tough. Definitely attainable with some scouting and maybe some help from upstairs. Side note, what’s wrong with hunting spikes? If you’re set on a branched antlered bull, I would go to Idaho.

There are few things I want on my wall and I haven’t achieved any of them yet. On the top of my list is a nice mature Roosevelt. I am a meat hunter first so I will shoot a spike and am not against taking a cow either. We briefly talked about an either sex Colorado hunt but I don’t want to do a Spike only Hunt. I don’t know the next time I’ll be able to plan a trip like this so I’d like to get a nice branched bull if possible.

Ps: Elk, Dall Sheep, Big Horn and Pronghorn.
With a side of an Huge Coastal Brown Bear like near where I lived before- Juneau Alaska in Southeast.
A second side of a Caribou and a Moose.


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[InteriorAKPopsicle]

If he is in Wenatchee and you hunt the clockum it is true spike and antlerless opens the second week I believe now.

I’ll have to check that out not sure of what area that is, I was just looking at GMUs and know his family has a cabin just inside a Elk Management Area that is a haven for nice bulls.


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[Wrench]

I live in Washington and hunt where your buddies talking about. He's exactly correct.

 

[Snyde]

If you want Roosevelt, Western Wa. Eastern is more Rocky mt. elk.

 

[theleo91386]

He wasn't lying to you, elk hunting here is for residents, really not worth it for non residents. If you're set on getting a Rosie you'll be stuck on the West side of the state. If getting a wall hanger is the goal it's my understanding that there's a few up in AK. I wouldn't come down here for that.