washington permit advice

JACKELOPE · Jun 14, 2006

ok so here's my deal. i've never killed a bull before and would like to start putting in for a special permit. i don't want anybody to give me their secret spots or anything, just looking for some input. i am trying to decide on where to put in for...i would just like an opportunity for a tag. don't have to kill a monster bull, i went on a couple spike hunts and although we were back quite a ways, i felt like there were too many people around,most of the elk that we saw were spooked. how do you guys look at all the numbers and decide on where to put in for. keep in mind i'm just looking for an opportunity to get out in the woods, not worry about getting shot and if i see some bulls, great. my expectations will not be high for my first serious elk hunt. i'm willing to put the time in on foot doing the scouting if drawn, etc. i also realize that i probably will not get drawn my first year, and i wouldn't mind a cow tag either in eastern washington. rifle or muzzleloader

ridgerunner · Jun 14, 2006

Most guys just put in for where they normally hunt, I think just about any of the tags could be good, they are all hard to draw, review the kill statistics and you will see that some are better than others. There are a couple of sleeper units out there but still long draw odds, good luck.

Craig · Jun 14, 2006

I plan my elk season by picking a weapon that i want to use and then the area I know or want to hunt. If I draw a special permit then I change my plans. If you wait tell the permit results come out in late july / early Aug to decide were you are going to hunt you are going to be playing catch up.

I look at last years harvest reports to help me decide what units I might want to hunt. For this years deer hunt I picked a unit that I know pretty good. Last year there were over 1100 rifle hunters and less then 50 hunters that used muzzleloaders. They had about the same sucess. So this year I am going to muzzleload that unit. A lot less people and I get to hunt the same deer a week earlyer then everyone else. You can use the same info for elk hunting.

Any Yakima or Colockum unit can be good. There are going to be a lot of people. If you can hunt the weekdays. there will be 1/2 the people out hunting. All those units hold big bulls so you can't go wrong with any of them.

WAsharpstick · Jun 15, 2006

I dont know where you like to hunt but there are some good OTC tags in eastern wa for bulls like 249 250 and some in the northeast part of the state.

kirkl · Jun 15, 2006

If you want a shot at a bull i would put in spots with the most tags. The units im listing all have great opportunitys for bulls and have plenty of tags.

Observatory- I know this unit good.
Goose Praire- I shot a 7x8 in this unit 6 years ago.
Peaches Ridge-Kinda know this
Rimrock- Could point you in a couple directions

JACKELOPE · Jun 15, 2006

Thanks everyone for the input.
sounds like i have a place to start.
good luck to all in the draws.

NWElkHunter · Jun 15, 2006

Washington has some great areas during the general season also. Take some of the areas around Mt. Adams during the western season - unit 560, 572, 578. There are typically 4 of us that hunt this area every year as a back up to not drawing the more difficult tags in other states and we have averaged 50% or better the past 5 years with a few bulls in the 290 to 310 range which is pretty nice for a general season area. You just have to be willing to press the brush that most people won't!

ridgerunner · Jun 15, 2006

Good advice by all, Kirkl I may be giving you a call if I draw, one of your units is one of my 4 choices, I put in single this year for elk with 9 points I'm hoping this is my year I've got a spot all picked out, it'll be a tough pack out but the big bulls are in there.