jbthehut, been there done that. I hunted the southern end of Ft. Lewis(area 21 and 22) in the Deschutes Unit last December. I had some recent reports last late season that a herd had been seen around the pheasant release sites. I drove those areas and didn't see an elk track. Not saying they aren't in there because the guy I was hunting them with had seen them himself the year before. But I won't waste my time this year hunting ghost elk. Too many other areas around that have elk. Plus you have to deal with dog trials and other traffic in those bird zones. And as bad as it may sound, you are going to have to plan for a haul out for elk. Not many good places that you can drive up to a kill for archery unless you get lucky. Plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Welcome aboard.

Hunt hard, live right, and tell your kids you love 'em!