Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Elk Hunting in Northern/North Eastern Washington?

Well, has anyone here done it? I notice that much of North East Washington is "Any Elk", so I would assume that there is either little pressure or lots of elk.

Has anyone hunted around Colville/Chewella?

Matthias,
I spent 3 seasons working for the forest service out of the Newport ranger district. I hunted for elk only one season there. A total of 8 hunters, three of which had cow tags, four of us all worked for the USFS in that area. No one saw a elk. Through out the whole 6 months, three years total, we saw very few elk.
On the other hand my neihbor hunts around Colville every year and sees some elk. In the 7 years I have lived next to him he has killed one 5x5.

Matt

I had a friend that took one around Mt. Spokane a few years back.

He isn't among us any longer or I would get some more info.

I'll bet the Game dept. could talk about that herd.

I emailed the F&W dep at Spokane. I might ring'em, too.

Last year I hunted deer in the Coleville/Kettle Falls area with the idea of scouting for elk. Saw no elk, or sign after putting in some serious leg miles. Only thing I did see was some moose.

Darn....I will be up there next weekend (Fall Turkey), and I'll check it out. I think I gotta go further up north, about 50 miles north east of Colville.

I check the Statistics for 2003 for Washington, and found that you overall chances of getting an elk are comparable between Yakima County (Bethel) and up north. Only total numbers are different.

Dang....what am I to do....

You won't find much game of any species there. Too close to where the "Any Time, Any Where, Any Weapon "people live.
Another reason Elk Hunting in Washington State is declining is the cow farmers dont like them. Elk compete with bossy for grass on public land. You know, "Green Dot" areas where you have to hike while the farmers drive, and the grass is grazed down to the sod. Something else you may notice is that last years wintering grounds is this years trailer park. Tar paper and cardboard shacks, old travel trailers and school busses all over the foothills. Don't you just love the smell of tacos in the morning? Smells like progress don't it?

I was up out of Northport 2 weeks ago hunting bear & heard one bull knocking the rust of out of his bugle. The guide I was with said that corner of the state is not where you want to hunt elk.

Give Dale or Tara Denny a call (bearpawoutfitters.com) and they'll answer your questions.

Pud

Judging by the elk population in that part of B.C. just north of Washington, the elk are not densely distributed and the hunting is pretty tough. Now, whitetails and muleys are a different story.

Being new to the state I thougth 'any Elk" would mean Elk everywhere. My sights were set on the Sherman area in the NE part of the state. I called the state game office for that area who told me there are very few Elk in the any Elk areas.

Indeed. I talked to the Fish & Wildlife biologist for that area on the phone (Very nice guy!), and he said the same, essentially. He recommended going to Yakima County.

There are elk in NE washington but there is also a lot of cover for them to hide in. You really need to do considerable scouting to even have half a chance. Good luck!

matthais, I grew up just south of Ione in n.e. wash. Scouting is the key . If you really want to hunt elk up there I would consentrate in the Metaline, Metaline Falls area, and just south to the Dry canyon , LeClare creek areas. Do you got a horse or mule? Most of the area's I hunted were closed to vehicle traffic year round because of grizzly bear and caribou habitat. The country is very rough! The elk are there and most of the time are very hard to locate. Once you figure the area out your sucess will greatly improve. Chances are if you get a bull it will be a real brusier! There are some huge bulls in this area. I have personaly scored bulls in the 340-to 368 range and have been lucky enough to be within 40 yds. of a bull that we figured went 380 or so. Watched him for about 20 minutes or so! Only problem, it was three days before the season started <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Like I said to be able to scout the area alot will be the key . To just show up on opening day I say there's no way in hell you will even see a elk. The country is as steep and thick as any in the state. But I firmly beleive that if you pay yor dues this area has the biggest bulls in the state! Be prepared to hunt harder than you ever have before to find these elk! Cuz once you do you will probly kill the biggest bull of your life! It could take years before you harvest an elk in this area, this is not the place to hunt for only the purpose of meat. Good luck