Archery Coast Elk = Unhuntable.

[steelhead22]

OK, after 3 long, hard days in the coast range, I've determined that the Roosevelt Elk is nothing but a mythical beast that theoretically lives in a habitat that can only be survived by small portion of rare individuals.

I saw the tracks, I saw the "sign", I even saw a rub or two...but as far as I'm concerned there is no way I can hunt these animals effectively....and survive to tell about it.

So, I come graciously asking for help as to exactly HOW you guys who are successful in this, do it. Are you glassing clearcuts, and then when you see an elk, making a hunt on it? Are you going into likely areas and doing a set up? And of this hunt I speak, how in the hell do you get down a CLIFF that's covered in ferns and blowdowns...assuming you're not going through the middle of a clearcut just as steep and full of slash. How do you access these areas?

I successfully hunted and killed deer in the coast range (stand hunting over a clearcut with a rifle)...but that's a whole different deal. Even then, I can't say I look forward to my next one, as the pack out with that animal is grueling...at best. Now, to get an elk out....I just can't wrap my brain around that.

Please, HELP.

And to those of you who have successfully learned to hunt these elk, my hat's off to you!

[Limbhanger]

Originally Posted by steelhead22

OK, after 3 long, hard days in the coast range, I've determined that the Roosevelt Elk is nothing but a mythical beast that theoretically lives in a habitat that can only be survived by small portion of rare individuals.

I saw the tracks, I saw the "sign", I even saw a rub or two...but as far as I'm concerned there is no way I can hunt these animals effectively....and survive to tell about it.

So, I come graciously asking for help as to exactly HOW you guys who are successful in this, do it. Are you glassing clearcuts, and then when you see an elk, making a hunt on it? Are you going into likely areas and doing a set up? And of this hunt I speak, how in the hell do you get down a CLIFF that's covered in ferns and blowdowns...assuming you're not going through the middle of a clearcut just as steep and full of slash. How do you access these areas?

I successfully hunted and killed deer in the coast range (stand hunting over a clearcut with a rifle)...but that's a whole different deal. Even then, I can't say I look forward to my next one, as the pack out with that animal is grueling...at best. Now, to get an elk out....I just can't wrap my brain around that.

Please, HELP.

And to those of you who have successfully learned to hunt these elk, my hat's off to you!

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

I have beaten myself to death trying to kill one of these bulls and I just keep getting the sharp end of the sticker bushes. I know it will happen one of these times. They are killable, but all the stars just have to line up just right.

[Got One!]

I agree, Bow Hunting Coastal Elk is quite the task. (especially since they usually are'nt in the rut yet...harder to call in) With Rifle, as you said get there early and around a clearcut and pick your spots if you dont want to mnt goat your way with a few hundred lbs of Elk! Obviously some of the guys have done it out there and my hats off to them. I think you find most of the successful hunters didnt show up on opening day, most have scouted for weeks if not months, and know the hunt area very well.

[steelhead22]

Originally Posted by Got One!

I think you find most of the successful hunters didnt show up on opening day, most have scouted for weeks if not months, and know the hunt area very well.

This will be ALL of next year for me. Next years hunt started 3 days ago for me. I've got to get these things figured out...it's just such awesome country to be in, I want to be capable of hunting it.

[fishinpox]

Awww, poor guy. I feel real bad for ya buddy.

[pdxkevin]

I heard that in the coastal range the elk magicly turn into deer during elk season and vice versa.

[coyote243]

I to am hunting for a coast elk and well they are very hard to fined. I have been down at tillamook for 5 days and still no elk on the grownd. I had a spike walk within 25yards but couldnt close the deal because I had set my bow down in a fern and if i moved he would bolt. the spick came in without making a sound, caught me off gard. thas the only elk I have seen or heard, I have yet to hear any elk talk. I tell myself that im not hear just to kill and if it was easy I wouldnt doit. who wants a easy trophy on the wall?? not me. it will happen

[Terdog13]

Just keep trying- one will fall in the way of your arrow!

Just a thought for you!

At times it seems like a futile effort and you wonder why
you are working so hard. Then one day it all comes together
and that magical moment happens. You take what you learn
from the magical moment and build on it!!!!!

And take your vitamins say your prayers and watch a few
videos so you see how to do it and how not to do it!!!

T. Smith

[ehunter]

At times hunting on the coast can seem easier than hunting in Eastern Oregon other times it can drive you nuts. If you keep trying some thing will come together I have personally had the toughest 2 years of my elk hunting life but I know this I can't get one at home on the couch and getting up at 2:30 am is starting to feel like a way of life:frown: When I wear shorts people stop and stare at me with my legs looking like mince meat from going the though the crap and at any given time I can find a new thistle sticker in a hand. The pollen from the ferns is killing my sinuses. You wish for rain to quiten the woods but when it comes you cuss it because your wet from your hat to your toes, but that is elk hunting Hang in there and good luck

[Abalone]

Two years ago I hunted every day of the season. I was out in the brush morning till dark 80% of the time. Here's what I have found.

In thirty days I had two days where all of a sudden the bulls turned on.
Two days where I had action from calling. The rest of the time I seen cows Three out of four days and had plenty of opportunity to shoot one.

I am in a large area with lots of Elk all to myself......

I have come to the conclusion..

It aint easy.

Last year I didn't hear, see or smell an Elk except when I was in my truck one evening on way to the store. These critters are beginning to P!$$ me off.

The Sheriff I know told me that he knows of Five Bulls killed so far this year off of Hwy 18 and one off of 22.

A guy here at work has a farm out in Mollala. His kid bought a bow, hiked into the hills behind the farm and Killed 5x5 opening morning. Shot it in the neck and it went down. Beginners luck I guess.

Hoping to post pictures of that bull. Same kid that killed the huge Blacktail buck I posted two years ago.

[oregoncritters12]

You have to hunt elk where there are elk..Not where elk have been, or an area that just looks good.. Roosey's don't go all that far. I absolutely avoid hunting clearcuts period..I feel people are wasting there time doing that.. However, i have some pretty successfull friends that would argue that point with me.. Depends on your hunting style i guess...For the most part, Roosevelt elk are lazy. They will be in easy (relative to surrondings) to get around areas. Spend a ton of time in the off season out there living with them and it will all start to make sense to you.. I disagree 100% with the people that say Roosey's rut later..There hasn't been a year in the past 14 that i couldn't have or did kill a bull the first week of season..They may come quiet, but they come...Keep after em...

[Limbhanger]

[quote=coyote243;1667560
the spick came in without making a sound, caught me off gard.[/quote]

Now to me, that is funny. :grin:

[Smokin'Bulls]

Originally Posted by Limbhanger

Now to me, that is funny. :grin:

Beat me to it, I couldn't help but laugh after reading that!

[StevenB]

ehunter... when I last hunted coastal elk I also found it to be a very hot ordeal. (The next 7 days looks like a blessing to the hunt. also to mushroom hunters.)

You think wearing shorts looks odd? Next time I hunt the coastal elk (in the heat) I am going to be wearing a lion cloth !!! (sorry for the visual) I may concider a kilt... (again sorry for the visual.)

What I like about hunting the coast is that there can be a herd of elk just 100 yards away (unless one is in a clear-cut.) the point is every minute it is worth pushing onward. As Critter.... stated coastal elk are lazy. I never looked at it that way I always think that they trust thier cover. The coastal elk have a lot of cover right?

Hunting where there are elk is real important too. once you have hunted where there are elk you will learn what "where there are elk" means. Every area seems to have a certain ratio of elk. Eventually an average of meetings of elk occurs. Some areas are elk every 3 miles of foot hunting. Other areas are elk meetings every 16 miles. Then there are those places of elk every 100 miles.

I'll hunt rifle for elk until I have more free time in September some future season. Two thoughts to those trying to fill their archery elk tag. Go Get-um

[Moldy45]

I have hunted for too many years to mention and I found that Rosies are not as vocal as rocky's.

There were lots of times I brought them to the call ,patience is required

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Originally Posted by pdxkevin

I heard that in the coastal range the elk magicly turn into deer during elk season and vice versa.

Oh man, I have actually been asked this by tourists when I worked for the USFS!