Once in a lifetime muzzy any bull hunt

[maddog]

A life time of buying an elk tag and special app .  finally good news I drew the 1 muzzle loader clockum tag in the state (gmu 328,329,335) oct 1 - oct 10.  I put scouting off scouting as I knew the fire would make the elk change patterns/locations, but instead of the fires getting put out they got worse to the point of no entry for scouting & possibly no hunting at all.  I had planned on hunting the first creek area of gmu 328 which I think is burning now.  Yes my once in a lifetime muzzy  bull hunt is literally going up in smoke . Any help or suggestions to possible salvage my hunt would be much appreciated.    
Thanks for your time & consideration!

[bobcat]

Get over there and do some scouting in the Teanaway, before your season starts, is all I can think of...

[deleted BGS]

I was watching the fire burn today, all the woods north of eburg are closed, which includes the colockum

[bobcat]

That's a great time period to be hunting in the Teanaway. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, just hunt further west than you had planned. The fire in Teanaway is way up north by Stafford Creek, I think is what I read. Your only issue will be private land access. But there is still land open for hunting that you can get on. Those Teanaway elk have barely even gotten any hunting pressure yet. You should have a great hunt.

[jackelope]

I think the fire in the Teanaway is in the Dickey Creek Jack Creek drainages. Not sure where Stafford Creek is relative to the 2 I mentioned.

[6x6in6]

Oh man, this really blows for you and where you wanted to be.
I was wondering who had that muzzy tag.

[bobcat]

Stafford Creek is a couple miles further north. There should still be some good elk country to hunt, that's not on fire, and not even close.

[jackelope]

There is definitely fire in Dickey Creek. Last I looked it was small.

[bobcat]

Well, are going to hunt Teanaway?

[coachcw]

go east ! 

[bobcat]

go east ! 

Quilomene?

Isn't all of 328 and 329 shut down?

[jrebel]

    If your tag is good for the tarpiscan you can just wait there.   The fire will push all the elk right out of the clockum and they will run you over.  trying to get to the river.  Of course they will have to run you over for you to see them as the smoke is so darn bad.   Good luck.

[Huntbear]

go east ! 

Quilomene?

Isn't all of 328 and 329 shut down?

AS OF RIGHT NOW.. this map shows what DNR and the FS have shut down...  not to say more is not coming....

http://kitcogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=4caadcc849674e198a931c5a216637f5

[maddog]

I know the 328 & 329 units a lot better so if there is access, my odds of getting a nice bull will probably be way better.  If there is no access to those two I will have no choice but to explore 335, but I have never been in that unit before.  looks like tarpiskan rd is a boundary so if that road is open I would have to think there will be elk.  Any body know if tarpiskan rd is open?

[huntergreg]

I was up in the hills in 328/329 border tonight. Saw one nice 6x6. And last week saw a 370-380 in. 7x7.    Pm me for more info maddog.

[Kowsrule30]

I was wondering who had this tag and was actually talking about last night to some fellow hunters.... They both applied for it and said they were glad to not actually draw for the first time.... Sorry about the circumstances.... But imo if the hunt gets shut down or so much land does... (like as of now your two main units are closed and isn't looking good) The WDFW should give you your points back.... Probably will never draw the tag again though... Not your fault the fire started and closed it down....    

[Smack]

If i were you and if the map is correct you can still hunt south/east of clockum pass rd. i would check out the head of brushy canyon as well as the head of stray gulch. i have hunted that area for years and have seen many bulls in that area. PM if you want to discuss it i will tell you what i know. Good luck on what should be a great tag i love hunting that area.

[6x6in6]

I know the 328 & 329 units a lot better so if there is access, my odds of getting a nice bull will probably be way better.  If there is no access to those two I will have no choice but to explore 335, but I have never been in that unit before.  looks like tarpiskan rd is a boundary so if that road is open I would have to think there will be elk.  Any body know if tarpiskan rd is open?

Sadly, not anymore.
Effective this morning, the Colockum, Whiskey Dick and Quillamene WMA's are now closed.
http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/press/default.asp?prID=253

I guess it's GMU 335 or bust for you.  Sucks and I feel bad for you. 

[maddog]

Sooo... Gmu 335 it is. should be easy now that is not multiple choice any more.    I'm going scouting in 335 this weekend only trouble is I have never been in that unit. the littlest bit of advice would be a huge help.  I can promise 3 things upfront 1: I wont shoot a spike  2: If I get a bull I will post pics  3: You wont see me in unit 335 after this October/10/2012, unless I am invited back.  As always feel free to PM me on this subject or anyother any time.  Thanks you guys are the best!

[coachcw]

grear attitude Kill a giant !

[jrebel]

Don't know the unit well enough to give advise, but I have seen some dandy bulls down low.  Good Luck.

[bobcat]

I know people that would love to have a Teanaway bull permit during the rut.

Just do a search on here for Teanaway, lots of info will come up.

[hunterrcc]

Doesnt it suck draw a once in a life time tag and have all the units closed up I feel your pain!

[jrebel]

What are the chances WDFW would reinstate your points and give you a general tag due to the circumstances?  Couldn't hurt to ask.

[coachcw]

I was wondering if you could hunt some of the unit down low , theres gotta be some dandys hanging out near the bottoms or the wind farm ?

[Backstraps]

PM sent

[huntergreg]

Sounds like everything is closed from hwy 97 to the Columbia river. 

[luvtohnt]

I have a couple bulls pinned down. My buddy drew the rifle tag, so I have been spending time looking for bulls.I know where there is a respectable 340 bull and is a long way from the fire. I also have some other info I can share with you if interested. Remember the current state record archery bull came out of 335! PM me if you would like to discuss particulars. I am still hoping 328 will be open by rifle season.

Brandon

[maddog]

@ backstrap I tried to respond to your pm, but your in box was full. 

[maddog]

So the quilamine is open again!     So now I am torn on units  .  Does anybody have any recent bull sightings in the quilamine unit?  I am more confused than ever.  Decisions, decisions.  Feel free to pm me.  Thanks

[6x6in6]

PM on it's way shortly.   

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Scout the areas that have already burned. Deer and elk love fresh burns.

[6x6in6]

Scout the areas that have already burned. Deer and elk love fresh burns.

The WDFW lands did not burn.  The rest is still closed to public access and not likely to re-open for him is my guess.  Naneum State Forest opening would be more likely than the NF land if anything was to open up since a good chunk of the NSF remained un-burned.   A good shot of rain would help!

[6x6in6]

A rather long winded PM sent to you again maddog.....

[Teamks]

I drew that tag 2 years ago lots of fun with bulls everywhere If you look off the clockum road to the east there is alot of good draws that hold a ton of elk and they recently reopend that this week if you have any? feel free

[jstone]

thats open for sure. I have a 15 year old kid with a cow tag (MUZZY). 

[Backstraps]

thats open for sure. I have a 15 year old kid with a cow tag (MUZZY). 

They opened Colockum Pass and everything east to the river! The kid should have a good hunt!

[huntergreg]

I havent her from him today but was up there last night and saw a ton of bulls! They are screaming like crazy up there. There is ash all over the ground and the smoke wasnt to bad.