Author Topic: My Rimrock elk hunt (Read 14518 times)

deerhuntr4885 · « **on:** October 22, 2012, 07:51:18 PM »

Well, I am going to start chronicling my hunt as time permits. Here is he first installment:

First off! All you guys who are celebrating this white dumping we are getting have no idea what you are in for. I could not get to the spot I originally intended to hunt so I hit a backup. Trailered my new horse Turbo, at 0430 and hit the road from my house in Selah. When I reached the trail I found another truck already there and covered in snow. It was snowing heavy. Saddled up and hit the trail at about 0545. Two other hunters showed up as I was saddling up. They had three more guys coming up from the bottom.

Rode about 2000 feet higher and found it was not only snowing but high winds! Tucked against a tree for about 30 minutes and then turned around to head back down. Two cows were standing on the hill above me. They turned and were gone before I could say boo.

Turbo started getting really bad ice balls in his hooves and I had a hell of a time getting him down. Walked the whole way and really had to force him to keep going.

I did meet the two guys who owned the first truck I mentioned. They are camping in a pup tent up there! Nuts! Stopped by their fire and made my own coffee before coming down. Met two more hunters on the way down. This was all on just one trail up there. 10 hunters on the one trail.

Anyway, back at it tomorrow. Sorry for not being all that colorful of a story. New baby in the house.

deerhuntr4885 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2012, 07:54:43 PM »

I also forgot to mention the fog.

huntergreg · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2012, 07:56:41 PM »

Good Luck! Keep us posted..

adamR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2012, 08:03:14 PM »

Keep your chin up! Remember that while you are freezing your butt off in the deep snow and absolutely hating life, the elk WILL be moving. Stick with it and don't get discouraged you couldn't have better weather (for the elk, not for you).

Tegantunadog · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2012, 08:39:01 PM »

PM Sent to ya!

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2012, 09:16:14 PM »

Sounds like the wrong trail. Keep at it

PlateauNDN · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:00:18 AM »

Quote from: adamR on October 22, 2012, 08:03:14 PM

Keep your chin up! Remember that while you are freezing your butt off in the deep snow and absolutely hating life, the elk WILL be moving. Stick with it and don't get discouraged you couldn't have better weather (for the elk, not for you).

i was saying the same thing yesterday plowing through the snow watching camp after camp pull out or towing their trailers out to lower elevations. all i could think of was all the elk on the move and trying to decide where to try and catch them at. since it appeared i was the only one still up there and trying to get further and higher, though i'm sure there were others still up there doing the same thing just in a different area.

fillthefreezer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:11:12 AM »

what elev are you guys working at and how deep is it?

92xj · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:27:11 AM »

Goodluck!

Kowsrule30 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2012, 12:28:52 PM »

I would try a different area.... You got a cow tag???

Limhangerslayer · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2012, 01:11:00 PM »

First person I have ever heard of complaining about snow on the bull elk opener

leave the horse at home, drive roads til you find fresh elk tracks that have a bull in the herd, track them up and kill him.

Wyoming08 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2012, 01:29:16 PM »

Quote from: Limhangerslayer on October 23, 2012, 01:11:00 PM

First person I have ever heard of complaining about snow on the bull elk opener leave the horse at home, drive roads til you find fresh elk tracks that have a bull in the herd, track them up and kill him.

I agree. We set up camp on Sunday off of Tieton Rd. and headed up to cut wood, loved the Snow. Every year there is lots of snow we see PLENTY of ELK!!

Keep at it buddy. Maybe we'll see you up there...

huntandjeep · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2012, 02:45:13 PM »

Quote from: fillthefreezer on October 23, 2012, 09:11:12 AM

what elev are you guys working at and how deep is it?

Pretty sure I walked up the trail today that he rode yesterday. There's maybe 3" at the gate and 5"-6" at the top. Not sure on the elevation there though.

Craig · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2012, 07:55:07 AM »

When I had a tag there ( muzzleloader ) I went 3 - 4 miles back and found a good number of bulls. Just keep looking. Go back a little more them most foot hunters and in closer then most horse hunters.

deerhuntr4885 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2012, 08:28:49 PM »

I guess I should not post right after I get home,cold and tired. Don't get me wrong, I love hunting in the snow but add the wind and fog and it was miserable.

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous. The snow melted off down low. We spotted three cows and then later what looked like a good bull bedded across the valley from us about two miles away. I got the spotter out and confirmed that it was a branch bull but could not really count points. Looked to have a good frame though.

We went down and then up the other side. We jumped four cows on the way up but could not reach the basin we saw the bull in before it got dark. So back down we went in the dark.

Today and tomorrow I am at home with our baby. The wife Is being pretty stingey about hunting time this year so I am not sure when I will be back up there.

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2012, 08:29:34 AM »

Hopefully you can get back out and get a bull. Good luck!

huntandjeep · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2012, 12:59:30 PM »

Deerhuntr at least your into the elk I've been up there since monday and havent even seen an elk. I dont get it I had all these bulls spotted during scouting and now nothing. I have'nt even heard shooting? I'm back today for a wedding (seriously who gets married at 2 on a thursday) but will be back at it in the A.M. Good luck to ya

deerhuntr4885 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2012, 05:58:19 PM »

Jeep, I know what you mean. Very little elk out and about. The weather has them in the thickest stuff. I only know of one bull taken so far. A guy shot a SPIKE

Tuesday.

Thanks to the rest of you for the encouragement.

buglebuster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:18:24 PM »

I know of a decent bull shot in there today.

BENCHLEG · « **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:23:53 PM »

keep at it good things come to those who wait.

stay positive.

deerhuntr4885 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:55:00 PM »

Quote from: buglebuster on October 25, 2012, 06:18:24 PM

I know of a decent bull shot in there today.

Let's see and hear about it.

huntandjeep · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2012, 07:46:10 PM »

ShaneTyTrey · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2012, 07:55:01 PM »

I can agree this year is tough with the weather, I was fortunate enough to catch a 5x5 in the clear cut yesterday. Will post pictures later. Keep after it!

elkrack · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2012, 08:42:36 PM »

my two brothers are tagged out with two bulls from rimrock 5x5 and a big6x6. i will ask if its ok to post pics.

kirkl · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2012, 08:50:27 PM »

Hunt the clear cuts in the mornings and evening, we killed 2 bulls in the clear cuts 4 years ago. I almost had one but he made it to the timber before I could get to him. He even beat his cows there. The bull is usually tail end.

buglebuster · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2012, 09:42:05 PM »

Just saw a pic of another rimrock 6x6 on facebook

buglebuster · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2012, 10:40:06 PM »

ok here is the first one i mentioned, got permission to share.. havent asked on the other one.

adamR · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:05:18 AM »

Nice bull, That doesn't look like rimrock?

rippinlips22 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:27:17 AM »

Quote from: buglebuster on October 25, 2012, 10:40:06 PM

ok here is the first one i mentioned, got permission to share.. havent asked on the other one.

I know who's this is!!! Good job again...CB!

buglebuster · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:55:22 AM »

Quote from: adamR on October 26, 2012, 06:05:18 AM

Nice bull, That doesn't look like rimrock?

Pic is in their yard, not rimrock.

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #30 on:** October 26, 2012, 09:05:55 AM »

Elk should be moving tomorrow when the army hits the woods, good luck and lets see some more rimrock bulls.

Gringo31 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 29, 2012, 01:35:29 PM »

Quote

I did meet the two guys who owned the first truck I mentioned. They are camping in a pup tent up there! Nuts! Stopped by their fire and made my own coffee before coming down.

LOL...I know that guy. He came down eventually VERY wet with his tag still in hand.

deerhuntr4885 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 29, 2012, 07:47:38 PM »

I was up there Saturday. Drove up to the top of Divide Ridge and hiked down into a bowl and sat on it until about 1:00. It was snowing in the morning. Chained up all four to get up there but it was fun. Then the freezing rain, wind and fog set in. Built a fire overlooking the bowl but never saw an elk.

Sunday I drove the wife around town looking longingly at the blue skies and clear mountains I could see in the distance.

Today I was back up on top and checked out a few good meadows and bowls. Still NO ELK! On the bright side, I drove my quad up the ramps and into my back window!

. Sat up there til dark tonight but still no elk. I think this rain and wind has them holed up in the thick timber.

huntandjeep · « **Reply #33 on:** October 30, 2012, 04:50:05 PM »

Ya its been about the same for my Rimrock adventure no bulls. However I did have 16 cows and a spike at 15 yards the general season opener. Let him walk been second guessing myself eversince. Hang in there still 5 days left.

Elkrunner · « **Reply #34 on:** October 31, 2012, 10:37:19 AM »

Quote from: deerhuntr4885 on October 29, 2012, 07:47:38 PM

I was up there Saturday. Drove up to the top of Divide Ridge and hiked down into a bowl and sat on it until about 1:00. It was snowing in the morning. Chained up all four to get up there but it was fun. Then the freezing rain, wind and fog set in. Built a fire overlooking the bowl but never saw an elk.

Sunday I drove the wife around town looking longingly at the blue skies and clear mountains I could see in the distance.

Today I was back up on top and checked out a few good meadows and bowls. Still NO ELK! On the bright side, I drove my quad up the ramps and into my back window! . Sat up there til dark tonight but still no elk. I think this rain and wind has them holed up in the thick timber.

I did the same thing one time, blasted the whole window out.....never load your quad after drinking beer! One of my lessons learned.

Keep at the elk, I hunted archery season and they are in there, just back in the nasy thick blow down.

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Author Topic: My Rimrock elk hunt (Read 14518 times)

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