New here!

[irishevox]

Hello my name is Tim I am 29 and in the navy. I was invited here by RJ. I am new to elk hunting as we'll and looking to learn a lot and get my first elk this year. O btw I am located in whidbey island in Washington state. A little about my hunting experience....I have hunted white tail for 17 years, duck for about 4 and turkey for about 2. I am looking to add elk to the list. I am so new to elk hunting I don't even know where to start. Thanks in advance for ur time and help

[Indian Summer]

Welcome Timbo!

Boot camp is a good place to start! lol Just start reading brother.........

[Trophyhill]

Elknut's forum is a great place to start out! once you have that first bull scream in your face you will forget how exciting you thought hunting WT's and turkeys were

[WapitiTalk1]

Welcome to 'the' elk forum. Glad you made it over.

[irishevox]

Thanks a million Rj and trophy.... Already started reading and trying to learn before I get out in the field

[JohnFitzgerald]

Welcome!

[JGH]

Had a buddy stationed there ... said the fishing was great.

Welcome.

[Swede]

Welcome to elk camp Tim. There is a lot of information for any elk hunter here. Check out the archives when you get and opportunity, and don't hesitate to ask questions or make comments.

[Willie makit]

Welcome Tim, dont blow a gasket trying to learn it all too fast, I,ve been on here a year and just now feel like I know a little bit.

[irishevox]

My main thing this year, is to mainly just start with the basics. Start with what to pack, where to go, and calling. After those beginner steps i will move on to more advanced tactics, stalking, learning to pattern etc.... i know there is so much more than that to learn ,but i am summarizing a little bit. Dunno which is the best route to go, stalk? ground blind? or climbing stand...

[Toby]

Welcome, this is absolutely the best place to learn elk hunting.

[elkmtngear]

Welcome Tim...and Thank You for your service!

[WapitiTalk1]

My main thing this year, is to mainly just start with the basics. Start with what to pack, where to go, and calling. After those beginner steps i will move on to more advanced tactics, stalking, learning to pattern etc.... i know there is so much more than that to learn ,but i am summarizing a little bit. Dunno which is the best route to go, stalk? ground blind? or climbing stand...

Like anything Tim, there are a lot of parts that go into the whole of this thing we call elk hunting. There is a ton of information on this site that will help you on your way. I wouldn't go overboard yet on the equipment or clothing. Keep it simple and use what you own and obtain just what you need to get out there and hunt. Plenty of time down the road to turn into a gear junkie . Start digging around in the WA regs http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ so you understand the seasons and GMUs. Early archery elk season in WA isn't the best (short and ends before the rut peaks) but guys do get elk. As others have said, dig around in Elknut's Tips and Clips and the Archived Tips section.. Lotsa good info there. Would also recommend you look at one of Elknut's package deals (CDs, DVDs) as they will really shorten your learning curve on calling and elk language interpretation. I can send you my backcountry gear spreadsheet if you're interested (PM me).. it's in Excel and will show/total the weight for each item. You may or may not be interested in something like this but it does show you the basic items most guys are interested in carrying back into the sticks. Good luck! RJ

[Washington Wapiti]

Welcome Tim, and welcome to the grayest place on Earth! Although Whidbey is pretty nice.

[irishevox]

My main thing this year, is to mainly just start with the basics. Start with what to pack, where to go, and calling. After those beginner steps i will move on to more advanced tactics, stalking, learning to pattern etc.... i know there is so much more than that to learn ,but i am summarizing a little bit. Dunno which is the best route to go, stalk? ground blind? or climbing stand...

Like anything Tim, there are a lot of parts that go into the whole of this thing we call elk hunting. There is a ton of information on this site that will help you on your way. I wouldn't go overboard yet on the equipment or clothing. Keep it simple and use what you own and obtain just what you need to get out there and hunt. Plenty of time down the road to turn into a gear junkie . Start digging around in the WA regs http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ so you understand the seasons and GMUs. Early archery elk season in WA isn't the best (short and ends before the rut peaks) but guys do get elk. As others have said, dig around in Elknut's Tips and Clips and the Archived Tips section.. Lotsa good info there. Would also recommend you look at one of Elknut's package deals (CDs, DVDs) as they will really shorten your learning curve on calling and elk language interpretation. I can send you my backcountry gear spreadsheet if you're interested (PM me).. it's in Excel and will show/total the weight for each item. You may or may not be interested in something like this but it does show you the basic items most guys are interested in carrying back into the sticks. Good luck! RJ

Already a gear junket lol....but yeah I do understand....I am trying been reading pretty much the entire site lol I am going to hunt eastern wa around cle lum and hopefully get my first elk I just don't understand how a bull tag or cow tag works etc...and how elk hunting works but that's why I am here and I am studying up

[Indian Summer]

How far are you willing to drive to hunt? I know some places over there I'd be glad to hand over SW of you near Toledo and along the Columbia near Naselle.

The first thing you need over there for gear is rubber boots and rain gear! No breathable stuff either: Helly Hansen Impertek. Instead of binocular a machete might be a better investment too.

[irishevox]

I hear not a lot of success on the west side

[WapitiTalk1]

I hear not a lot of success on the west side

Tim, yes both areas are in west side units but if IS is offering a tip, you may want to consider it . He's part elk I think.

[irishevox]

Always up to see what's out there. I would love to have choices to hunt I got someone showing me east side I will drive as far as 5 hours for elk

[WapitiTalk1]

Always up to see what's out there. I would love to have choices to hunt I got someone showing me east side I will drive as far as 5 hours for elk

There are good areas on the W side. The penninsula has spots but the herd pop has went way down over the past 20 years. I can steer you to a spot or two on the west side myself. Are you interested in any elk this year Tim?

[irishevox]

yes i am determined this year to fill my tag! my biggest thing is i do not want tag soup.

[Washington Wapiti]

Definitely don't discount the westside! Like RJ said, there are good areas over here. Sometimes you just have to work a little harder to find those good pockets. But if you hit it right, even the "low success" GMUs can produce for you. And of course, it's thicker, wetter, and sloppier than the east. Getting a little further in on the gated-off roads (of which there are a lot on the west side) can put you into some good elk country. I can also give you some areas down south to check out, places I've hunted a little or scouted but will probably never get back to. I still dream about one of those spots.

Also, if you haven't already, check out the state's harvest stats. Another part of the equation that helps guide me when I'm looking into new areas.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2012 ... mu_all.php

"Instead of binocular a machete might be a better investment too. " He's not kidding! I used my brother's to hack my way into my downed elk this last season!

[Washington Wapiti]

yes i am determined this year to fill my tag! my biggest thing is i do not want tag soup.

I'd steer clear of hunting the feeding stations on the east side . . . I hear WDFW frowns upon that

[irishevox]

Pm and we can talk about locations and all maybe we can go scout together if u want

[Washington Wapiti]

You got it!

[croatiazag]

Hi, I'm also new to elknut and planning a Sept archery hunt in Wa. I was going to try a PM some specific thoughts to a few on this thread, but I think I need to post first.

[baddaddy]

Welcome Tim and Tom. This site is a great place to be. Do yourself a favor and pick up Paul's playbook. It will really help with the learning curve

[Swede]

Welcome to the camp fire croatiazag. That is an interesting handle you have. We are not very complicated here, so please keep any thoughts and PMs basic. Enjoy.

[Lark Bunting]

Hi, I'm also new to elknut and planning a Sept archery hunt in Wa. I was going to try a PM some specific thoughts to a few on this thread, but I think I need to post first.

You'll need three posts to use the PM I believe.

[croatiazag]

Thanks! You won't need to worry about my thoughts being too complex! I'm pretty low on the learning curve for elk/archery and even hunting in general. I've been hunting the rifle/deer season in WA for a few years this year will be my first archery/elk hunt. I have done some research and have an idea of where I want to go. It looks like a few on this thread have been close to the area and might be willing to give me feedback on my early plan. Hopefully!

[croatiazag]

Oh - and I will def pick up the playbook. I'm soaking up as many resources as possible. As for the alias - I only have one which I created years ago for a college bball forum. Maybe I can come up with a connection to elk hunting...

[ElkNut1]

Tom, welcome bud! Glad you made the time to stop by sir!

ElkNut1

[zpd307]

welcome! from a fellow newbie. so far this sight has given me a ton of great info from some great guys who want to teach us, newbs.

[elkoholic]

Welcome to the beginning of a new life long addiction And thank you for your service...