Washington Elk questions

[Kylenautique]

Just looking for some advice and pointers. This was my 3rd season hunting elk in SW Washington modern rifle. I did some scouting over the summer and found a decent area. A closed road behind a gate somewhat deep in the Siouxon on the south side of Swift Reservoir. I even came across a bull bugling at some cows in October towards the end of deer season. That was a really cool experience! During elk season, I came across a small herd, but they disappeared and I couldn't find where they went. Unfortunately, my hunt got ruined because someone decided to tear open the gate to drive into the area. I didn't see anything after that.

I know the lewis river and siouxon units arent the elk producers they once were. I hear that from people that have been hunting there since the 1980s and 1990s.. I'm trying to come up with a different strategy. I want to get away from roads and gates. I have a dirt bike, although I'm a pretty intermediate trail rider... Would I maybe have more secucess in places like the dark divide? Should I consider muzzleloader over modern rifle? Mount Adams/Trout Lake? Or is it truly just dumb luck?

I'm not asking for honey hole locations. Really more strategy. I'm going to scout a ton this late summer. Maybe 2026 will be my year. That first elk will be the ultimate victory...

 

[wcasey755]

Are you from Washington or doing non resident? I haven’t killed one yet but it’s tough, and hoofrot is a bugger. I don’t believe the elk in the places you mentioned have been hit by it though. I think the biggest thing is to get off the roads. Which was my issue the last five years. Just sticking to logging roads. You gotta get in the thick, had ten times the elk interaction when I did.

Also food for thought, I think in SW Washington. Muzzleloader might be the best season IMO. I just have no desire to hunt muzzie. Rifle is also a zoo.

 

[Kylenautique]

Are you from Washington or doing non resident? I haven’t killed one yet but it’s tough, and hoofrot is a bugger. I don’t believe the elk in the places you mentioned have been hit by it though. I think the biggest thing is to get off the roads. Which was my issue the last five years. Just sticking to logging roads. You gotta get in the thick, had ten times the elk interaction when I did.

Also food for thought, I think in SW Washington. Muzzleloader might be the best season IMO. I just have no desire to hunt muzzie. Rifle is also a zoo.

Yeah I'm a Washington resident. I live in Washougal and I've got a family cabin up in Northwoods up by Swift Reservoir, so the GP around Mt. St. Helens is where I've been hunting. I've been contemplating muzzleloader, but I'm in the same boat as you. I really prefer my Tikka 30-06 I've invested time and money in. I agree with the comment about the roads. I had what I thought was a decent place until someone tore the gate open...

Even though I haven't been successful yet, its still a lot of fun. This is the guy I came across during deer season. Less than 50 yards. He was chasing some cows. And there was another bull bugling somewhere in the woods. It was pretty exciting! He was a morale booster

 

[Karl B]

Time to pick up a muzzleloader my man

 

[The Ri Guy]

Go deep around St Helens, plenty of good bulls in isolated pockets still. Know a couple fellas that kill them every year on archery and muzzy.

 

[Kylenautique]

Muzzleloader eh? I'm not opposed to it. Anything wrong with using the CVA Wolf V2 in stainless? Any recommendations?

 

[wcasey755]

Muzzleloader eh? I'm not opposed to it. Anything wrong with using the CVA Wolf V2 in stainless? Any recommendations?

I would if you have the budget move up to an optima. It’s noticeable better quality. I think it’s 100 bucks more

 

[wcasey755]

Yeah I'm a Washington resident. I live in Washougal and I've got a family cabin up in Northwoods up by Swift Reservoir, so the GP around Mt. St. Helens is where I've been hunting. I've been contemplating muzzleloader, but I'm in the same boat as you. I really prefer my Tikka 30-06 I've invested time and money in. I agree with the comment about the roads. I had what I thought was a decent place until someone tore the gate open...

Even though I haven't been successful yet, its still a lot of fun. This is the guy I came across during deer season. Less than 50 yards. He was chasing some cows. And there was another bull bugling somewhere in the woods. It was pretty exciting! He was a morale booster

View attachment 982821

Keep at it!! A mentor once told me it takes the average guy ten years to kill their first elk. I’m coming up on six so we’ll see haha.

 

[Kylenautique]

Keep at it!! A mentor once told me it takes the average guy ten years to kill their first elk. I’m coming up on six so we’ll see haha.

I've heard this more than once!

 

[bricketts]

I’m in your same boat is SW WA as well, but just am wrapping up my first year chasing them! I thought elk would be easy compared to blacktail but man was I wrong.. blacktail are nice because find them once, you know they won’t be far away the next time. Elk cover so much ground though it seems like and have massive travel routes and areas they use!
I hunted muzzy this year and would recommend the same to you, because you get a really good early season and long late season, and can tag a cow in a lot of units if you’re after just meat! I’m always targeting bulks but would be happy to tag a cow.
I have a CVA Optima V2 with a Traditions 1x scope and I love my set up! I’m shooting 1” groups at 100 yards, it’s super lightweight, and the recoil is super tame even with my 150gr powder loads.

Pm me if you want to chat more and exchange information, I’d be happy to find someone in the area to scout with this summer or do some hunts with(I am solo for elk so far), and I used to be very familiar with the areas in GP you’re hunting!

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

Just looking for some advice and pointers. This was my 3rd season hunting elk in SW Washington modern rifle. I did some scouting over the summer and found a decent area. A closed road behind a gate somewhat deep in the Siouxon on the south side of Swift Reservoir. I even came across a bull bugling at some cows in October towards the end of deer season. That was a really cool experience! During elk season, I came across a small herd, but they disappeared and I couldn't find where they went. Unfortunately, my hunt got ruined because someone decided to tear open the gate to drive into the area. I didn't see anything after that.

I know the lewis river and siouxon units arent the elk producers they once were. I hear that from people that have been hunting there since the 1980s and 1990s.. I'm trying to come up with a different strategy. I want to get away from roads and gates. I have a dirt bike, although I'm a pretty intermediate trail rider... Would I maybe have more secucess in places like the dark divide? Should I consider muzzleloader over modern rifle? Mount Adams/Trout Lake? Or is it truly just dumb luck?

I'm not asking for honey hole locations. Really more strategy. I'm going to scout a ton this late summer. Maybe 2026 will be my year. That first elk will be the ultimate victory...

Well… I’ve put boot tracks all through the Siouxon and Lewis River units in my fifty three years of elk hunting Washington. Your description of your recent hunt is no surprise. Guess what? Bow hunters and muzzy guys tear down gates too. No matter the tag aholes are aholes. Just less of them in archery and muzzy.

Rather than put names to locations on the internet I’d suggest getting on Washington’s website and looking at harvest statistics. Pretty telling in my book. But that can help point you perhaps to put together a hunt from hard numbers rather than “ know guys who get it done every year at such and such mountain” statements which help no one.

This past October I hunted elk during muzzy season on the extreme edge of the LR unit. More for old times sake. Such beautiful country that I love so much. Covered a lot of ground. Had a blast. Saw a handful of elk at best and got outsmarted by one branched bull. No regrets. Felt blessed just to be healthy enough to be there. But there was a part of me that was saddened by the lack of elk. With predators and no logging up there anymore and add on hoof rot to boot hunting is more of a camping than hunting trip.

I probably didn’t offer much advice but you’re not alone in your frustration. I keep at it every year. Not quitting by any stretch. As should you. You’ll get it done !! Good hunting brother.

 

[wcasey755]

Well… I’ve put boot tracks all through the Siouxon and Lewis River units in my fifty three years of elk hunting Washington. Your description of your recent hunt is no surprise. Guess what? Bow hunters and muzzy guys tear down gates too. No matter the tag aholes are aholes. Just less of them in archery and muzzy.

Rather than put names to locations on the internet I’d suggest getting on Washington’s website and looking at harvest statistics. Pretty telling in my book. But that can help point you perhaps to put together a hunt from hard numbers rather than “ know guys who get it done every year at such and such mountain” statements which help no one.

This past October I hunted elk during muzzy season on the extreme edge of the LR unit. More for old times sake. Such beautiful country that I love so much. Covered a lot of ground. Had a blast. Saw a handful of elk at best and got outsmarted by one branched bull. No regrets. Felt blessed just to be healthy enough to be there. But there was a part of me that was saddened by the lack of elk. With predators and no logging up there anymore and add on hoof rot to boot hunting is more of a camping than hunting trip.

I probably didn’t offer much advice but you’re not alone in your frustration. I keep at it every year. Not quitting by any stretch. As should you. You’ll get it done !! Good hunting brother.

This brings up a fantastic point. I firmly believe if you want to hunt elk. You should have to do your part with predator hunting. Elk tags should only be sold with a cougar and bear tag. I don’t think people understand how important hunting them is to helping the elk!

 

[Jwilly27]

I grew up hunting down south, we chased elk all over around the mountain and on the other side of i5 by Vader a lot of that country is tree company and we switched to the east side when I was in college, I miss early archer chasing bulls and late elk for cows. I would get a smoke pole and try to pick up some late rut action