Elk hunters in western WA

[Taylor W. Bastianelli]

Hi I’m looking for an experienced Elk hunter that can fill me in on what it takes to start elk Hinting in WA I live near Packwood forest and used to hunt a lot in my home state (MI) for deer and squirrels but have never gone in WA yet. And never hunted elk.
Just looking for advice on getting started thanks!
I have a Rifle but nothing else.

 

[MJD]

Coast range or cascade foothills?

 

[cheygriz]

a good raincoat?

 

[mustanger98]

a good raincoat?

I was fixing to say that plus a good pair of boots and whatever is the legally mandated amount of safety orange.

How are you on land nav? Map and compass?

 

[Taylor W. Bastianelli]

Coast range or cascade foothills?

I’m 10 mins south of Alder Lake.

 

[Taylor W. Bastianelli]

a good raincoat?[/QUOTE

I was fixing to say that plus a good pair of boots and whatever is the legally mandated amount of safety orange.

How are you on land nav? Map and compass?

im de

I have never been taught any mapping skills or anything
I have basic clothes,boots and a orange vest no camp though.
I was looking along the lines of what the state requires as well as how to track and hunt the elk what times of day and year do I hunt and what are the rules?
Also where do I go? Can I shoot them on my own land? They always hang around my chestnut tree early in the morning

 

[.308 Norma]

I was looking along the lines of what the state requires as well as how to track and hunt the elk what times of day and year do I hunt and what are the rules?
Also where do I go? Can I shoot them on my own land? They always hang around my chestnut tree early in the morning

Welcome to THR Taylor.
It kind of seems like you should be looking here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/ rather than asking about the elk hunting rules in Washington state on The High Road forum. I mean, I for one have been hunting elk for over a half century, but I don't know a thing about the elk hunting rules and regulations in western Washington. Anything I told you about the subject would be just speculation, and that could get you in trouble.

 

[mustanger98]

Taylor, I agree with .308 Norma that you do need to consult your state hunting regulations.

If you look up the definition of "hunting", it's the "pursuit and taking of game", which varies from state to state. What I do in Georgia is to consult the regulations for deer and, many times, apply that to my backyard which is legal here. If I applied that to elk in WA state, you'd probably get a big load of bad advice.

My question is, if it's legal to shoot elk in your backyard... you do have tag(s), don't you??? ...are you seeing big elk there?

If you're planning to go to the mountains, I suggest you get land nav training or get with someone who has. It's too easy to get lost and personnel recovery isn't as easy as it sounds.

 

[cheygriz]

Buy a good GPS and learn how to use it.

And make sure you have at least two different methods of fit[re starting.

I like a waterproof match box, and a Wal-mart road flare. The flare is hot enough to start a fire even in wet wood.

 

[MJD]

I completely missed your location in the OP, my apologies.

My first advice is to get in practical shape. Even hiking on logging roads in that area can get pretty tiring with your gear/rifle/etc...let alone if you get off road.

Breathable rain gear and boots are critical. Have a map, GPS, compass, and extra batteries.

Have a solid plan for how you are going to get that thing out of the woods. Hauling that much meat is a far cry from a whitetail.

Other than good boots and rain gear, your best investment is time. Get out in the woods and go find some poop, trails, figure out what kinds of areas they like and where they go.

Lots of forest industry land in that area. Most of it is open to the public (for a fee in some cases). Get out in the woods.

 

[mustanger98]

Okay, between three of us, we've said map/compass, GPS, and both. Point is know where you're going, how to return... preferably in one piece... and as also mentioned, how to pack an elk back to your vehicle. I'll second that part about having at least two ways to start a fire and considering how to deal with wet fuel.

How about your first aid kit? Also, a separate blowout kit?

Down in New Zealand, the guys who hunt Red Stag... I've seen on tv where they'd just call in a helicopter and lift it out. Most of us stateside don't have that.

 

[Taylor W. Bastianelli]

Thank you all for your advice. Looks like I have a lot of work/research to do.
Need to get connected with some people out here who know what they are doing.