Washington Elk

[lkwoolsey]

So, let me preface this by saying that 1) I understand elk hunting in WA is not like elk hunting here in CO and 2) I'm not asking for your secret sweet spots, just a push in the right direction.
Ok, that said, I'm moving to WA in the middle of August, from CO, and will be hunting everything I can once I get there. Deer and bear I'm not too worried about, but I'd like to get in on some elk. I'll be hunting western WA, and will be purchasing their general season elk tag (my understanding is that it's similar to COs OTC elk tag.) Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm primarily a backpack hunter and will hike in however far I need to (I'm in the Army right now, as a grunt, so I'm in decent shape and can find my way.) Any tips or or advice of any sort would be greatly appreciated and welcome. Thanks!

 

[semperfidelis97]

What weapon are you planning to hunt with for elk? I archery hunt, and there are allot of choices on the westside, for the true Rosey I would try Willipa hills. For a more mountainous hunt that would make it easier for you to put some distance between you, and the other guys I would look to some of the southern units that border the cascades like Packwood, Lewis river, or Siouxon. Keep in mind some of these units have allot of private timberland that require you to pay an access fee to get a key to access their land, but a guy that doesn't mind burning boot leather could find a few places to get away from the crowds. The April/May Eastmans has the Washington MRS which would be a great resource for a guy trying to get familiar with some of the Washington units.

 

[jtw]

What weapon and how far your willing to drive? Where are you moving to?

 

[HookUp]

Unless your planning on leaving your truck in CO, I would plan on driving back for hunting. Another great option is Idaho. While the Roosevelt hunting in Washington is decent overall the hunt pales in opportunity compared to out of state hunts. If you are looking for a challenge hunt in Wa. With some time spent scouting and net working you will find elk. Washington has 7 million people and not a lot of places for the crowds to go other than on top of each other. I think you should consider archery hunting for WA. I have private lands for deer but do the public elk dance. I recently picked up a bow just so I can hunt archery which has significantly less people.

 

[ridgefire]

I would look into the goat rocks area or any of the units bordering the Pacific crest trail up in that area.

 

[lkwoolsey]

I'll hunt bow or rifle for them, I'm not too partial. I don't mind burning any amount of boot leather haha, so I may try a few of those places, I might have to start calling around. Thanks!

 

[lkwoolsey]

I'm moving to Snohomish. I'll drive a ways if it means I'm hunting, not just wandering with a weapon. As for weapons, I have a rifle and bow, I'll use either.
Ok, I'll have to check out goat rocks.
I don't mind a challenge, I just want a chance of getting on some. And yes, if my schedule with school/work cooperates, I will definitely be coming back to Colorado. Only issue is I'm pretty sure some of my midterms coincide with the 2nd and 3rd seasons here, which are when I like to hunt. Too bad, because I know some really awesome spots out here too!

 

[shootnrun]

My advice would also be to stick with Colorado. There is a reason not many topics are about Washington Elk hunting, and its not because no one wants you to find out about it. And why I am spending time learning out of state. There are some beautiful views to be had! Just lots of people standing next to you also enjoying them.

PM inbound with what help I can offer.

 

[hiway_99]

The problem with Washington is you have to make a choice to hunt the east side or west side of the state. If you hunt the west side you can hunt branched antler bulls. But a lot of the timber companies charge access fees. On the east side the majority of the units are spike elk only. At least for modern firearm season. I hunt the Eastside and very very rarely see another sole unless it's one of my hunting partners. I would look into the fs 41 road of stampede pass. You could check out around blow out mountain area. Pm me if you need more help on other places.

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[HookUp]

I grew up in Snohomish, great town or it was 20 years ago anyway. You'll have a good time in WA coming from CO. We really have a great state, just not a great place to hunt. If you are into duck hunting hit I-90 and drive east towards potholes, what our state lacks in elk we make up for in ducks.

 

[gmajor]

Will be watching this thread closely. Quite possible I'll be in Seattle by the 2017 season. Thinking of hunting the Olympic peninsula...I've got a raft and a canoe so looking into floats through public land as well. Hope deer and bear are decent hunting, as elk seems to be regarded as less than ideal in WA.

 

[Hoytgamer]

check out the east side mount st. Helans, Walk in only. Keeps 90 percent of the hunters out. another decent area is stampeed pass, watch out for the tacoma water shed area, thats a no hunt area

 

[Buglebrush]

Problem with Washington is that WDFW has their head buried in the sand. Positively refuse to manage predators, ridiculously short seasons that radically increase pressure, and way too many permit only hunts. Would be an awesome state to hunt if WDFW would worry more about hunters than the Seattle tree huggers.

 

[jtw]

I would highly recommend archery for elk if your hunting westside. Ive never hunted east elk so cant speak to that. The hardest thing is finding a place that has elk and is huntable. I can tell you more places that have elk but are ungodly steep and brushy. The best hunting areas come with lots of competition but less ideal conditions make for quick solitude. The olympics are tough. Lots of steep ground in a small area and the elk seem to hang out on the farms in the valleys during the season. I like the south cascades. There are a handful of roadless or wilderness areas with elk in them. Good luck.

 

[Buglebrush]

Muzzle loader season is also awesome, and actually has less elk hunters IME than archery. Lots of muzzleloader Deer hunters as the session overlaps, but more actual dedicated elk hunters in the archery season.

 

[lkwoolsey]

Thanks all for the advice! I really appreciate it. I am going to try to come back to CO, I have a few buddies that will still be stationed at Carson who are trying to get me to come back. It'll all depend on my school schedule. I will definitely be checking out some of the areas mentioned here. Thanks again!

 

[jaredlef]

I just got back from a cycling trip that included a few days on the western side of Gifford Pinchot between Randle and Carson. Didn't get into the woods, but saw a few cows and heard from locals that the Packwood area was holding a ton of elk. Not sure what the units or public/private land is like out there though.

 

[Brock A]

I read a stat last year about the success rate of elk in WA. I wanna say it was less than 2%. Pretty dismal.

As others said, you have to pick east vs west and you have to choose your weapon for the season. It really limits your opportunity.

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