GMU 157 Watershed Elk

[Hurley0311]

A dear friend of mine drew the GMU157 elk rifle tag this 2012 season. I'm traveling up to hunt it with her, but me living out of state it's harder to find the good access roads, camping sites outside the area, and not being able to scout looking for elk is out of the question. SO I'm looking for ANY and all insight on the area. I know it's steep and rugged, but that's the elk country we love! Anyone with any information at all would be a might greatly appreciated!!

[buglin4bulls]

I think studying google earth will help you the most until you actually plant yourself in the woods here. Study google earth and maybe some TOPO maps  It is steep but there are some flippin brutes in there. good luck

[Maverick]

Glad you enjoy the steep country. Most people that get drawn for watershed that have never seen it before get there and say theres no way in Hell they're going down in there. Some good bulls in there though.

[asl20bball]

Maverick- that's the coolest picture I've seen for your name tag. 

[Maverick]

Hey thanks for some reason the camera didn't flash very well and came out like that instead of bright. Kinda creeped me out when I first saw it. Ghost buck!

[LiveandLearn]

Like the others said scouting this unit means hiking in (down) a couple miles. Most use Google Earth and hike in a day or two early. This is a pack in unit if you want the big boys. It also helps to be confident taking a 400yd shot. 

[Woodchuck]

You don't get to go in the watershed early 

[stickbuck]

  Not a good idea.

[BnB]

Contact the FS and ask about access. I could be wrong but you might need to get a special permit from them. I don't think you can go in a day or two early and you can't pack in and camp in there.

[dvolmer]

Cant take a step into it until opening morning and have to be out every evening of the hunt.  no camping allowed in the Shed.  they have a guy that walks the perimeter every day and checks out whats going on.

[Maverick]

 

[Moose-head]

A friend of mine drew that several years ago, then shot the first bull he saw.  He saw some giants while packing the meat out.

[Hoythunter]

I drew the tag 6 years ago when I was 26 years old and thought I could tackle the world.  I grew up hunting the St. Joe drainages in N. Idaho and love the steep country; Watershed is beyond steep!  I hunted off the top intake trail and camped within 2 miles of the trailhead.  If you camp on top you'll have plenty of company from other hunters hunting the surrounding units; you might be better off researching access points from the bottom?  Regardless of which direction you access that hell hole you'll find elk, killing one and getting him out is another question.  Good luck and have fun, breathtaking country.

[LiveandLearn]

No kidding, they don't let you in early anymore. Its been years since I was around there. That sucks. Good god, in and out every day. yikes.

[mtman]

Get a small tent and camp off the intake trail in the dayton unit. Doesnt say anything about that. If there is a guy that walks the premeter everyday hes a stud get some training tips from him. Dont let the steep country worry you eather take your time the elk in those parts can be out anytime of the day. So there is no need to rush anything. good luck

[toyman2]

Know your capabilty, when its time to start heading out then do so. It is tough country, be ready for some steep ass ground. A new pair of socks is amazing when its time to head out. Be ready to stay the night. If you want a BIG bull you will have to earn it.

[get one leakin]

Absolutley not a sure thing.  There are elk in there and a lot of them but its not like they are just standing around waiting to get shot.  Im sure some people walk down the trail and shoot one but its hunting, after the first day the elk know the gig and if you get one you will earn it before and after you pull the trigger.  You cannot access the unit until the season opens and the guy who walks the trail is no help.  Be prepared for long shooting and being realistic about gettting to some of the elk you do see, just across the canyon in there can be hrs and more than you can do in a day.  We have seen bulls that will drive you crazy a couple ridges over but you know you cannot get there in a day.  Its a great hunt, but just that a hunt.  Ive been in there twice, '07 and '11.  In '07 we hunted every day and I got a 6x7 on the fifth day.  Last year hunted every day, rode in in the dark out in the dark.  I was holding out for a really big one and I never pulled the trigger.  Thats 9 days of hard hunting, good luck I cant wait to do it again

[Maverick]

Get one leakin, you are a lucky sob. 07 and 11!! Proud of a guy that would hold out all 9 days for a dandy in there. That is a lot of work. My Sas.has been putting in there for years. last time he got to go in there was '86. He doesn't have the luck to get drawn!

[mtman]

I had a buddy that drew the tag and he said the same thing. I couldnt get there in a day. Dont say cant do something and you will find most the time you can.

[Maverick]

Id reccomend a horse!

[trophyhunt]

Lots of good info here. I was in the shed last year with a buddy that drew, it's a beautiful place that is beyond steep. He had chances to get bulls not far from the trails so it can happen easier than you think but I would not count on that, we ended up packing his bull out the bottom and he killed it about 5 miles from the bottom. I wouldn't come in from the bottom  , it takes a long time to get up to the open terrain and walking that far everyday might take some will out of ya. You will work very hard on this hunt, but you'll also want to go back when your done. I hope you guys have good weather, ours was perfect last year, just a little fog. I would camp off one of the trails on the top, and bring good optics. Good luck and take lots of pic's.

[KopperBuck]

Get a small tent and camp off the intake trail in the dayton unit. Doesnt say anything about that. If there is a guy that walks the premeter everyday hes a stud get some training tips from him. Dont let the steep country worry you eather take your time the elk in those parts can be out anytime of the day. So there is no need to rush anything. good luck

It's not the entire watershed everyday, but still... and he's getting close to retirement.