Elk in WA

[Ben Nicholson]

Anyone out there hunt WA state?  My in-laws recently moved out to Olympia so now I have an excuse to hunt out there.         At any rate there is a 50/50 chance it will be this fall, depending on whether or not I draw a MN bear tag.  

Any advice for someone new to elk hunting out there?  I'm not looking for anybody's honey hole, just general information on the area, what equipment I should plan on taking, etc...

We'll be going out there in a few weeks to visit and I plan on doing a little hiking/scouting then.

Thanks,
Ben

[Outwest]

Ben
Look to the northwest about 2hr. and 45 min. drive. I live here on the coast in a place called Forks.
Lots of elk.
Let me know if you get up this way. I can point you in the right direction.

John

[Blackhawk]

1. Non-resident tags are expensive.    

2. Elk population is the lowest of the Western states.   :(  

3. Number of hunters is high.    

4. Season is short.   :confused:  

5. Bow season ends when the rut begins.   :mad:  

6. Success ratio is low.   :p  

Other than that, a great state for elk hunting...  

[RL]

There are no elk in Washington !!

[Ben Nicholson]

Originally posted by RL:
There are no elk in Washington !!

I know, and there aren't any deer, turkey or pheasants here in Iowa.    But, that's where my in-laws live, so if I'm going to do an elk in the next few years WA is where it will be.

Thanks,
Ben

[Santiam]

I have hunted the southern Cascades of Washington...The elk are hunted hard...My advice is to not be to picky...Shoot the first legal elk you see...

[varmint]

Hunted Elk above Bellingham............about.......dang!!almost 20 years ago!!Man,can't believe it's been that long..........

Beautiful country.Hard hunted.But the scenery is worth the hunt.

[wingnut]

Hunted elk in Washington my whole life and have watched the resource be mismanaged so badly that in some areas the elk are nonexistant.  That being said, you can still do well if you are diligent in your scouting and hunt hard.  Like the fellow said above "Don't pass on a legal elk".

I won't be going back to Washinton for hunting.  I promised myself that I had spent my last dollar and hours supporting a game dept that doesn't support the hunters.

Mike

[Ryan D]

I guess I will give you the other side of the story, I too have hunted WA my whole life and I have never had any trouble finding huntable elk!  We kill elk every year and some nice bulls to boot.  I agree the state mismanages the wildlife but there are a ton of elk here and some very good bulls.  There is a lot of hunter pressure but I have hunted other western states and it is just the same.  You get out of something what you put into it.  If you get out this way I can help you out.

[Longbowz]

Area around Forks as mentioned is good.  Another place to scout is around St. Helens.  The plan is to thin out the elk in this area.  Might be worth a look.

[Ben Nicholson]

Thanks for the info.  I know it won't be an easy hunt, that's probably why WA isn't exactly a destination spot for elk, but I enjoy challenges!  

[Santiam]

Ryan is in the "way above average" category when it comes to elk hunting    

 Any day elk hunting is better than most anything I can think of...Good luck if you head out this year..

Hey Ryan, you coming this way for spring bear this year??

[Ryan D]

WOW Bill, You are making me blush!!!  I did not buy a tag but I had planned to try and get a hold of you to possibly tag along.  With the quality of videos you put out Primos is going to be buying you out and you won't have time for us little guys!!! LOL  My brother did buy a tag so I will probably just go with him a time or too.  Can't wait!!!!