Five Days In The Toutle

[Blacklab]

Got back Wednesday from a five day camping and hiking trip. Well that was the outcome of my elk hunting anyway. Arrived in the 556 Friday to set up camp on state land. Just like alot of you weyerhouser threw us a curve ball and had to go to a plan B. We found a nice area set camp up and got ready for the opener. Some friends showed up and hour or two later to hang out and visit for a while. As soon as they got out of the truck. They asked if we seen that herd of elk a quarter mile up the road. We just laughed thinking they were bsing us. One of them told me to get in the truck and he'll show me.  no *censored* there they were about 9 elk doin there thing. Back at camp we were needless to say  and couldn't wait for morning. We visited a while later and they had to head back, so we hit the rack for the opener. Saturday we hit the timber found some fresh game trail with water  Sat there for 2 days with out a even a glimpse of any wildlife besides squirrels an chipmunk's. Went an did a little road hunting to try to find some new area and of course elk. Met several great friendly people along the way One couple hunting deer showed us a road to walk that was a bout 3 miles long. First thing in the morning we hit that  real slow. Beautiful walk area just no elk  . Fresh coyote and bear *censored* but no real fresh signs of elk. We hit a few more areas that could hold elk but no luck. So we called it quits   had to get home an ready for deer this Friday. On I believe the 4th day a chevy came by camp heading home I think with a nice 3 or 4 pt. Cheers to them All in all it was a great trip met several friendly people that stopped by our camp to bs or thinking it was one of theirs lol and still hung out for a bit. BTW on the 4th day I looked at my buddy and said " it sure would be nice to see a four legged animal bigger than 3lbs". That evening I seen a coyote lmao. Guess I should have asked for bigger    Ready for deer, lets go 

[NativeDave]

I had a mod tag for 556. Hunted my ass off for 9 days there in the "Quality Hunt area" saw 1 spike bull alive that I passed on, 9 cows total for the 9 days. One very small rag horn, dead that someone shot and another toe head very tiny spike baby bull someone else shot. That's everything for the 556. I had to go into the Coweman unit to get a bull. A 4 x 4. In my opinion Don't wast your draw poins on Fish and games so called "Quality Bull Hunt" at least in the Toutle unit. I am sure there's a few animals in there some where but I got home from Alaska on the 1rst. Had 0 time to scout, but went to the areas indicated on the F&G maps for a few days (Very disappointed there) then went south on the eastern border looking for any fresh sign finding very little I moved to the north side of the S Fork into state land. Saw some good sign and a couple cows, No bulls. Finally gave up and went into the coweman and shot a small 4x4.