Southwest Washington Archery Elk year 2

[Dan in Poulsbo]

Stik,

I am planning to hunt in that area during the late season. I love the idea of early elk and salmon though. My problem is the Southern Cascades are so wonderous in September. Its hard to leave the opportunity to hunt high and think about important things for 2 weeks out of the year. I would probably be more successful at hunting if I didnt but its probably why I hunt. May see you late season if your not successful.

Dan

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It is unlikely that I will be hunting unit during late, but you never know...
Good Luck!
P.S. I am heading out to Poulbo today for my Family Reunion, I don't know if you know the Paulsons, but there are a few that live in area.
Or ever heard of Bert Marshal, a hocky great from the '70s....

[Dan in Poulsbo]

I have only lived in Poulsbo for 5 years so any name ending with "son" I have heard of. I live off Lofall rd-Stop by, just follow my wifes moving/yard sale signs.

Dan

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Didn't read it 'till I got back, whole weekend eating Crab, Oysters and shrimp...
They live on Vaa Road, over near Pioneer Hill.
But anyway, I try to get back on topic..

[Bjorn]

Those pics and that area look wonderful; thanks for this thread
stickandstringbow-Good Hunting!      

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Well,....
Due to my financial situation, the family dog dieing, and my daughters B-day on the 9th,..
I did not get out of here until the morning of the 10th.
I had heard from Bjorn, and he had said that Clay would be there to help him get set-up and not to worry about him.
I showed up at a gate that I liked about 3:00 Am, with time to spare, I thought I would throw out a bugle just to see if I could get a response from back in the drainage a little ways....
I bugled and immediately heard a bunch of branches breaking in the trees just 100 yards away !!!    

Figuring I had messed up, and with a few hours to spare, I decided to go to a different gate that was good to me last season.
I saw a couple does on my way to the other gate, got ready to head in and waited a little while for daylight to arrive.
I started in a little before light as I heard a couple bugles, but was unable to catch up to any elk.
I saw 2 more does and a grouse, but no fresh sign until I had walked in about 3 miles, and not much at that.
I walked to top of ridge and bugled a bit, but no responses, so I turned around and headed back to the vehicle using a different way than I had come, cow calling and looking for sign, but saw nothing to get excited about.
When I got back to the gate, it was 2:00 PM, so I ran  (drove) up to the lake and met Bjorn.
He informed me that he and Clay had been getting into them at the first gate I had stopped at (I should have stayed put) and we swapped a few stories and decided to head to the gate for the afternoon/evening.............

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

We parked at the gate and after walking about 1/4 mile we could see several trails crossing the road, Bjorn commented on it being a "popular spot" due to the number of trails, and a short distance further was the first real rub I had seen (pictures next installment) and after walking another 1/2 mile the roads separated and I told him I was heading uphill, and he said O.K. he was going to hunt until dark and then go back to camp.
After an excruciating climb up the pretty steep (or maybe I am old    ) i was seeing a little fresh sign, more tracks than droppings, but good sign nonetheless.
I finally made it all the way to the top of ridge, and back in a few miles and decided that I was as far in as I could go and be back at road to walk out in the dark, so I picked a good stump to sit on and took a little break, and glass the surrounding area.
Not seeing anything other than lots of good country, I threw out a few bugles, to no response, so after a few minutes I decided I better get moving.
I had only walked about 30 yards when I heard a loud "CRASH!!" as I spooked an elk that was walking towards me on the back side of ridge.
a couple cow calls, and silence......
I resumed my departure.
I had walked about 1/3 of the way back down ridge along some power line clearings when I heard a bugle coming from behind me, knowing that there were no hunters that far back, that late in the day (no camping, and walk in only) I bugled back and forth with it a few times getting 2 other bulls to join in, one behind me, one beside me, and one from the bottom I was heading towards on my way out, but due to lateness of the day, there was no way to go after one of them, so I continued on my way.
As I crested the last finger ridge from the bottom, I saw a herd of 12 Elk out in the opening grazing along the creek, one decent bull, and 11 cows/calves.
I stopped and glassed them for a little while wondering if Bjorn was on them, as it was the general area he headed to.
Just before dark I heard the bull bugle, actually more of a "scream !!" and a bunch of coyotes started going off, not sure what was going on, and due to me being off the ridge and back in the bushes, I could no longer see.
I listened to the coyotes as I walked out in the dark...................
P.S. I had a herd of Elk jump the road on me on my way back to camp, 4 standing in the road to stare at me,