Coastal elk

duckhunter4life · 05-01-2012, 03:30 PM

I am 15 and wanting to start archery hunting elk on the coast because it's a lot closer than to go eastern Oregon. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on where to start scouting. I'm not looking for someone's secret spot just a general area I could start looking around and hopefully kill a elk or deer.
Thanks again

bowhunter94 · 05-01-2012, 03:49 PM

i was in your same shoes a couple years ago, the best advice i could give you is go spend a day exploring some logging roads on state-land, try and locate some areas off the roads off roads, clear cuts, water, etc. once you find an area you like, hone in on it and spend a lot of time getting to know the elk in the area. dont spend time picking and choosing areas, just get out of the house and go hike, you will eventually find elk

WSU · 05-01-2012, 04:19 PM

Often, private timber companies' land is the best due to the amount of clearcuts. Take a look at the harvest rates and seasons. Google earth, google maps, etc. have sat. photos that will show you areas that are frequently logged. Find such a road in the unit you want, and go scout.

Drifter2007 · 05-01-2012, 07:49 PM

I see that you live on Sauvie Island. Head towards Tillamook, when you get 1/2 way from SI to Tillamook. You are in serious elk country. Start scouting now. Good luck!

duckhunter4life · 05-01-2012, 08:57 PM

So if I went from the island to tillamook half way would be in the tillamook national forest so are there roads and stuff that go up in the hills there and can you camp in there like pack in trips??? Thanks again Chance.

DogZilla15 · 05-02-2012, 07:19 AM

Get as far from a road as you can. Find places that provide cover and food. Cover is the hard part with all the logging and places that haven't been logged, sometimes don't provide food. Learn what the elk like. This is going to take some real effort but the results will be worth it.

jdearbo24 · 05-02-2012, 09:45 AM

get some good hiking boots and start walking. there are good areas everywhere on the coast range for both deer and elk. It will take some time spent on foot though to find the great spots. head up any road that goes over the coast range and then head off on a log road and start hiking. GOOD LUCK BUD!!!

God bless....
jay

chevy/willie · 05-02-2012, 11:24 AM

Elk are a little dispersed right now, so don't expect to find a whole lot of tore up ground! Look for big trails, last years rubs, and do this anywhere around re-prod. Because the first place elk are going to go when your on state land is re-prod. if you want to be successful on public land, you've got to go where nobody wants to. Find re-prod with little clearing so you can make the shot. And above everything else....shoot very often and learn to call better than the next guy.

duckhunter4life · 05-02-2012, 02:37 PM

What would be the best idea to find elk sign? Walk into the thickest deepest stuff I can find or should I drive and watch for tracks then look around for more sign??? I'm used to hunting eastern Oregon for elk and deer although I guide my family members every year on blacktail hunts on the island!!!

duckhunter4life · 05-02-2012, 02:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the info you have provided! You guys are truly awesome!!!

Ifisherkid · 05-02-2012, 04:39 PM

Most important thing about hunting over there is invite your friend to help you pack out your elk.

elkcometopapa · 05-02-2012, 04:50 PM

I was in your same spot a few years ago. I always hunted deer in southern oregon and just recently started elk hunting on the coat. Best advice I would say is to get in shape and be ready to hike some miles. I only started getting into the elk once I hiked 5-10 miles a day. Start doing some cardio workouts. Good luck.

duckhunter4life · 05-02-2012, 05:04 PM

Yah ifk for sure, and when it is walk in only can you mountain bike???

long_shot · 05-02-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckhunter4life

Yah ifk for sure, and when it is walk in only can you mountain bike???

Yes you can, also a game cart is worth its weight in gold in areas with good roads.

duckhunter4life · 05-02-2012, 05:19 PM

Do you think that I will need more than a 50 yard pin???

long_shot · 05-02-2012, 05:33 PM

I personally can shoot 70yrds and hold a 4 inch group. If I could only hold a 4 inch group a 40yds I would only have a 20,30,40yd pins

50yd max pin will do just fine as long as you can accurately shoot 50yds

fair hooker · 05-02-2012, 05:50 PM

To find elk on the coast, talk with experienced people you see when you are out and about in the woods. Other hunters will be evasive, but hikers, loggers, berry pickers, government workers of one type or another, and local residents can be a gold mine of information willing to assist a young man in need. Elk can be spotty and you wear yourself out looking at country without elk -especially if you end up in a brush patch or thick reprod which is easy to do on the coast. A little advise from those familar with the area can help you find elk quickly. Also, drive the roads at dawn and dusk to look for elk and maybe go to Jewell to see a lot of elk and talk with the people working there to see if they might have a tip.

Ifisherkid · 05-02-2012, 09:42 PM

This video is pretty awesome.

You Tube

dla · 05-03-2012, 06:17 AM

Coastal Rosies live and die in a couple mile radius of where they were born. State land is important because private land is locked up each year for fire danger. Google earth or a map. You can still get good region maps from the state foresters office (forest grove, etc.). Find a couple square mile chunk of state dirt and start scouting.

sliverslinger · 05-03-2012, 08:04 AM

Come august and september, water is going to be scarce. Elk have to drink, so if you can find water, you should be able to find elk. I hunt the water alot and do fairly well. If you can get above a good stream or river, wait for them to come to you. Calling will help alot, practice any chance you get. Wait for a good shot.
Your early morning hunts are going to be the best bet for water or just before dark.

roosevelt · 05-03-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckhunter4life

Do you think that I will need more than a 50 yard pin???

no way.

you don't have to go into the thickest nasty hole to find elk, but don't be surprised to follow them there at some point. covering ground is key when not finding them. don't over do the pre season scouting, you don't want to run them out of the area before the season starts.

lglover241 · 05-03-2012, 01:40 PM

Also - you need to know what to do if you happen to get one down! I use the gutless method to quarter them out. Nothing worse than getting out there in the elements with a big elk down and not know what to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckhunter4life

I am 15 and wanting to start archery hunting elk on the coast because it's a lot closer than to go eastern Oregon. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on where to start scouting. I'm not looking for someone's secret spot just a general area I could start looking around and hopefully kill a elk or deer.
Thanks again

duckhunter4life · 05-03-2012, 04:00 PM

I know how to get animals out when down been there done that just in eastern oregon and yah thanks everyone for the great info!!!

UrbanHunter · 05-14-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckhunter4life

I know how to get animals out when down been there done that just in eastern oregon and yah thanks everyone for the great info!!!

Chance, when are we putting in our tags?

sooslaw · 05-14-2012, 04:16 PM

50 yards pin??? not so much... 20 pin is probably the most common and water??? there is water EVERYWHERE so throw that out the window.

MulieMike · 05-14-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sooslaw

50 yards pin??? not so much... 20 pin is probably the most common and water??? there is water EVERYWHERE so throw that out the window.

+ 1 on the water, its everywhere in the coast range.

sooslaw · 05-14-2012, 05:21 PM

Coast Elk 101- They are pretty much everywhere. Last week of season is usually the best although elk can be active at any given time during the season. They will be in the bottom 1/3 slopes on benches finding shade (if its hot) and will hang tight till someone bumps them. Its generally very brushy, pick your shots carefully, one little limp will spoil your day or an elks meat. Dont overlook the obvious.

Drifter2007 · 05-14-2012, 07:48 PM

I am sure this will upset someone from E Hebo.

I was thinking of this post this last weekend on my drive to and from Seaside for our annual mothers day trip.

Both directions from Camp 18 there are a number of Weyerhauser gates, which means limired and walk in or bike in only hunting during archery season. There is also a ton of elk in the area.

If I were you I would do a little scouting around there. Hard to say how many hunters already hit the area.

DogZilla15 · 05-14-2012, 08:42 PM

You don't need a 50 yd pin. You don't need a 40. In fact, you don't need any at all. But if you insist, a single 20 will serve you well out to 40 if you are half good at judging distance.

Wheels · 05-14-2012, 08:51 PM

Get yourself a trail cam. It will force you to use your boots. It will help you learn the ground the elk live in. You will become addicted to trail camming and you will know if the elk are regularly using the area. Good Luck. Wheels.

Drifter2007 · 05-17-2012, 07:02 AM

Get yourself a trail cam. It will force you to use your boots. It will help you learn the ground the elk live in. You will become addicted to trail camming and you will know if the elk are regularly using the area. Good Luck. Wheels.

This advice from wheels is as good as it gets.

24/7 surveylance.