Rifle Elk on horseback?

[timruger1]

Well archery season was a bust!

We hunted by the muddy for archery, off the 83, up and down Bean creek,the little Smith and the Muddy NOTHING!!!

Just sweat sweat and more sweat.  Sadly still couldnt pack in because my hunting partners are Mon-Fri and I wasnt going to pack in a camp for Sat and Part of Sun. Which leads me to rifle Elk and my next question.

Looking for an area that we can Rifle hunt and benefit from using our livestock. Someplace we can ride in for the day as no one else has the time to pack in but me. I need to haul a four horse gooseneck in so the road can only be so bad.

I could try the Lahar area again but i know that gets pretty crowded. The Kalama Horse Camp area is out also as is green river because they are both war zones. Ive done locked gates in the past and someone always drives by me on a quad, a jeep or something. I

If it was up to me I would just pack in somewhere like the Goat rocks but again the others cant, they are weekend hunters only. Has anyone hunted around the green river horse camp area?

Any suggestion would be great as I am running out of time to scout. As it is I am darn near ready to throw in the towel on hunting all together

Thanks

[deerhuntr4885]

You must have the multi season tag?  Or are you talking about next year? 

[Fl0und3rz]

Try GPNF.  http://www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot

I am not a horseback rider, but I have been up there and have seen horse camp evidence (straw), and I believe that there are multi-use areas in there, including horse usage.  You didn't say if you had east or west tags (and I cannot infer based on my knowledge of MS tags). Also beware that I have heard some grumblings about potential closures around Mt. Adams due to fire. Beautiful country though.

The link below is to NF-56, SE of Randle, WA. 

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Randle,+WA+98377&daddr=NF-56&hl=en&sll=46.341299,-121.624832&sspn=0.025657,0.066047&geocode=FacSxgIdfhS7-CkJnNe0ls-WVDHkD2Q9TMhsEw%3BFccbwwId-CbA-A&t=h&gl=us&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=15&z=15

Here is a link to a map of Packwood GMU 516.

http://www.mytopo.com/previews/output-ha/WA-2012-516.jpg

If you are restricted to east, I have seen horse camps in the Nile GMU 352. But I know much less about usage in this area.

http://www.mytopo.com/previews/output-ha/WA-2012-352.jpg

Good luck.

[SniperDanWA]

You must have the multi season tag?  Or are you talking about next year?

 , or are you helping someone else?

[Ghost Hunter]

I could try the Lahar area again but i know that gets pretty crowded. The Kalama Horse Camp area is out also as is green river because they are both war zones. Ive done locked gates in the past and someone always drives by me on a quad, a jeep or something.

What's the difference

[timruger1]

Thanks

I know where almost every horse camp in the state is but they dont necessarily make for a good elk area.

As far as tags, My wife hunted archery season and i will be buying a westside modern firearms

I guess i dont get the "whats the difference comment"

[Ghost Hunter]

  Just comparing Lahar being crowded and war zones.  Seems both are crowded, and both turn into war zones when an elk is spotted
I've had my fill of both.

[kentrek]

just my  but i would not feel comfortable around the lahar on a horse with the amount of trigger happy hunters up there

also you wouldnt be able to find a good camping spot with your set up cuz there all prety much taken up

not tryn to discourage you but thats just what ive seen..

[kentrek]

also during season is the best time to scout so id just pick some deep country an go for it,maybe look towards the coast orrr head north

[timruger1]

ok

well if it stays dry like this i am thinking goat rocks

[bullcanyon]

Wouldn't waste the time or gas on the goat rocks. It ain't nothing like it was just a few years ago. Couldn't tell you where they went, but they aren't there like they were.

[timruger1]

really?

I had considered going there for archery guess its a good thing i didnt

[timruger1]

bump