Are there any North West bow hunters that hunt the Olympic Peninsula and could give me some pointers? I have been hunting for 4 years (one year off for cancer surgery) but I have dreamt about this my whole life and finally got off my butt to do it!
I would love to teach my 2 boys the love of the outdoors and bow hunting as well. I would be greatful for any help.
Thanks,
Michael
Lots of hiking and slow down and hunt hard when you find the elk. That is some thick stuff up there and the Elk don't move to far if you push them a bit. Do tons of pre-season hiking / scouting in the areas you plan to hunt to verify elk locations. Don't hunt over old sign. Keep moving until you find fresh sign, and then hunt the area hard. They can be 30 yards away and you would not know it in some of that brush.
Remember that Elk travel along repeated paths unless pushed. Find their travel areas and work them hard. Learn their bedding and travel habits and hunt them where they are vulnerable. Make sure to make an appointment and sit down with the local elk biologist with Fish and Game. Have your questions written down and be thorough on getting full answers. Check the fish and game website for units and areas where the kill to hunter ratios are good, and don't e afraid to hunt where there are few hunters and low kill ratios, that is so long as you spend enough time scouting to know there are lots of unpressured elk in that area.
I often kill elk in areas where I don't see anyone else for days. The elk are not spooky and are easy to call in.
Would you hunt that area or would you choose someplace else?
Do you still hunt or ambush them?
Can you spot and stalk in areas like that?
Thanks, maybe I will run into you at a Trad Shoot somewhere.
NB
I live in Forks and have hunted elk all my life.
If you would want to hunt this area I could give you a few pointers.
John
Forks is where I wanted to go last year, I talked to a Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist last August and he said in his area Forks was among the very best.
I would be grateful for any help you might be able to give me.
Do the Elk really walk right through town?
Western States Rendezvous coming up at the end of May. Good time and maybe some others from your area there?
The wife and I will be at the Western States Rendevous as well.
Hope to meet some of you all.
NB you should try to make it for a day or two.
Let me know if you go.
John
I talked to my wife and the only question now is am I going alone or with the whole family. I look forward to meeting you there.