Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting A Few Photos From Today's Elk Scouting

Well, the Western Washington rifle season opens next week. I went out this morning, armed only with a camera to check my favorite area and see if the muzzleloaders left anything for me. The area was gated for the first time this year. So, I had to walk in 3.2 miles to my jump off point.

I hunt a swampy bottom, surrounded by mature timber on steep slopes. Here's the swamp:


Here's one edge of it, right as the timber starts:


And right on the timber line, I found a couple moms with the kids:




No bulls, but my spider sense was tingling--they are there somewhere! Here's another shot of the swamp:


Somebody has been a busy beaver:


My kids like frogs, so I try to take a few pics of willing subjects. This guy was very obliging:
[img]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn21/WadeSamuelson/IMG_1867.jpg[/img]

All in all, it was a pretty good morning. Walked a shade over 8 miles, and put my new rainpants to the test. They held up very well. Can't wait to do it again for real next week--with my 35 Whelen along. Woo Hoo!

Cool pics Waders...

Thanks for sharing those pictures. The land you hunt is so different from what I am used to hunting in Wyoming. Really cool to see the enviroment you hunt in.

nice, looks like close quarters.

Waders, super pics! Thanks for sharing.

Stunning! People who have never seen such country really, well they just miss out.

Man - you always post up great pictures.
Thanks for sharing.

...at least if you strike out you can eat frogs. Flinch

Very cool pics and excellent stalk on the frog... way to work the wind!

True Confession: The frog had me busted from waaayyyy off. He took off at the dead run hop and I thought I'd never see him again. Fortunately, I am in tip-top shape and managed to run him down--even though I was a bit winded after the 3 yard pursuit.

I was gonna run down the elk in those pics too, but, um, I just didn't feel like it.

Dont give up!--you never know when the elk may run out of breath before you!

So these are Roosevelts you're hunting?


Casey

Yes, Roosies. And they are elusive in that type of terrain--total home field advantage for them. It is hard to get close enough for a visual and the wind swirls in that bottom. Very rarely do I see them first. But...they are there and to me, that's 98% of elk hunting. So I will keep at it.

Wade, I'll be out this Saturday. first time for me to hunt the wetside of WA.

Good luck, youse guys!

Wade, does this mean your not stopping by the gun show this weekend? Good luck and bang a big'un
Did see about 20 head out by the skooky damn on sun.

I may swing by the gun show late on Saturday afternoon.

20 head? Any legal bulls? Huntable area or private land?

What area will you be in? Hope you get one!

Waders,

I just sent you a PM RE where I will be from Friday on. Hope to see you over there!

MARK

Looks like my moose country- sort-of.

Best picture I never got (forgot the camera that day) was a froggy squished in a mossy moose track....

Excellent pics.