I have a western washington archery tag and was wondering how many of you hunt the late season for elk. I have not had much sucess during the late elk hunts and was thinking about hunting the ryderwood unit. If anyone has any place better or would not mind sharing a little info with me that would be great. I usaully Hunt on foot or on Mountain bike and usaully by my self because all of my old hunting buddies either moved, got PW 'ed or don't like to hike or ride as far as I do or stay out as long as I do.
Please e-mail me the info so you don't have to share on the board.
Thanks Superfly

That GMU is really big and the elk are pretty spread out. If you haven't done some scouting and are going in blind you probably will have a hard time finding them as they tend to move around and after modern firearm the herds are likely split up some. I hunt in there alot for deer.

For the late season I would think Winston GMU 520 would be a better bet there are way more elk in there and alot of big a** bulls. It gets hit hard for modern, but I have not seen that many people in there bow hunting during the early season ( in past years) so there probably won't be that many in there for the late.

Also, this year the big "W" put gates up and they are only open on the weekends so you can access the state land up front but not the big 'W' land in the back on weekdays. Because of the closure I would think there were less animals taken during the rifle season and that would make your odds better yet.

Good Luck

Superfly, to bad you have a westside tag. You could hook up with us at the nile area. I know a few of your buddies and you left out the fact that some of them go rifle.

FJ..out.

I know the Ryderwood area pretty well, so if you need a few tricky areas that few folks know about, let me know.

Do you have an AHE card? If so, I have your herd of 250 elk tied up for you. Zen Leecher (from WA lakes board) and I put the spotting scope on them for about 30 minutes. We counted over 40 bulls. They range over a large area near Porter, and I have access to over 1200 acres.

Fly, we hunt the Winston too, and I'd be glad to show you around if you make it down there. We hunt mostly off Winston Creek Road (on the other side of Mayfield Dam)...if you see a gray GMC 4x4 parked by the trail, stop and say howdy...I know where some good spots are.
Greg

Greg, are you aware that all the gates are locked down up there? Just thought I would let you know if you didn't already.

Fish Jesus,

During modern firearm the gates were only locked on the weekends has that changed?

thanks

Stadle, I'm not sure about the week days.

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the help, I will get in touch with you and try to hook up with you guys down in the winston. I don't have an ahe card yet , but was looking into the program.
I have killed alot of elk in the yakima area and probably should start going back that way. I just don't have anyone to hunt with over the last few years so I have been staying close to home. But I will be talking with you all.
Peace Superfly

Superfly, I have to get the Swede to introduce us.
We have a few things in common, superfishal as they are. We could even be dart flinging buddies.

Do you like to hunt for blacktail? I have an area that, during the course of a season I may see five other vehicles total. Mega acreage, many large bucks, mass deer population, not private, and not on an Island. Also within 20 minutes of your house.

FJ...out.

I a just started hunting two years ago, I have a Westside archery elk tag also. Didn't have any luck in the early season, I was considering the Battleground, Winston, or Ryderwood GMU's. I am 16, so I just got my drivers license and I will be able to hunt more this year. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks