Coweeman

[jwroberts]

Anyone hunt coweeman for late muzzle?  I am thinking of trying it out for the first time next weekend.  Taking a friend and trying to help him  get his first muzzle elk. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[bobcat]

Tough unit to hunt, especially if you've never hunted it. Lots of people, very few bulls.

Look at the success rate for last year. Less than 4%.

I'd say the one thing Coweeman has over all other units, is it has more area to hunt. More area that actually holds elk that is.

[jwroberts]

thanks for the input. do you have any ideas for the last weekend. we are willing to drive for a decent opportunity

[bobcat]

I really don't. I would say your best odds is to hunt an either sex unit, if all you're after is meat. Also, and this is something I've always had a hard time with, but try to avoid the temptation of jumping from one area to another area all the time. You're way better off sticking to the areas that you already know. (Especially this late in the season)

[jwroberts]

not too much left to pick from for open units.  thanks again for the input

[bobcat]

I'd try Randle or Mossyrock over Coweeman.

[jwroberts]

I wish they were open next weekend

[bobcat]

Oh yeah, I didn't think about it, last day was today. Of course next weekend you realize in the units that are open you only have one day (Saturday). There isn't much for options, go ahead and give Coweeman a shot. Get in some reprod and/or some timber and maybe you'll get lucky. Most people will be driving the roads.

[Angus]

Get in some reprod and/or some timber and maybe you'll get lucky. Most people will be driving the roads.

I hunted the Cow for late modern buck and found elk (twice) in big timber.
I hunted (well, tried too) the Battleground unit yesterday and had to laugh at all the road hunters, 1 after another and sometimes 2 or 3 in a row putting along @ 5mph waiting for an elk to step out on the road. 
Went for a short hike and said the hell with it, went home and took care of some honey-do's.

[bobcat]

Well isn't Battleground also open for deer?

Many of those road hunters could be waiting for a deer to step out, if that makes any difference.

[skywalker253]

Coweeman went from a great elk unit to crap. Way too many cow tags and special bull permits. The game department tourched the GMU. Just like they destroyed 163 for deer.

[janttihunter]

I hunted it last weekend and am going to again this weekend. JW Pm me if you want, I did see some good sign and a few deer, No elk but I think they are around.

Its my first year hunting WA ive hunted like 5 different GMUs....I figured id try Coweeman out since we are pretty limited in late Muzzy. Plus we can take deer or elk.

I dont like to road hunt (there were so many people roadhunting lol) so I hiked about 20 miles over two days. only problem was every time I thought I was in a good area and away from people id run into another road...Couldnt seem to get more than a mile away from any road. I jumped a small 2x2 and found a nice run in a clearcut and sat up on a high point before dark. After the 5th person drove by and backed up to see if I was a deer I left..

I am goin back, there was animals there.

Does anyone know of any locked gates you can hike past? I was off 1600, is that a good
area?

And whats up with the Clydsdale size Horse crap I saw everywhere? Even in reprod and while climbing on my hands and knees down elk trails?

[Huntbear]

I hunted it last weekend and am going to again this weekend. JW Pm me if you want, I did see some good sign and a few deer, No elk but I think they are around.

Its my first year hunting WA ive hunted like 5 different GMUs....I figured id try Coweeman out since we are pretty limited in late Muzzy. Plus we can take deer or elk.

I dont like to road hunt (there were so many people roadhunting lol) so I hiked about 20 miles over two days. only problem was every time I thought I was in a good area and away from people id run into another road...Couldnt seem to get more than a mile away from any road. I jumped a small 2x2 and found a nice run in a clearcut and sat up on a high point before dark. After the 5th person drove by and backed up to see if I was a deer I left..

I am goin back, there was animals there.

Does anyone know of any locked gates you can hike past? I was off 1600, is that a good
area?

And whats up with the Clydsdale size Horse crap I saw everywhere? Even in reprod and while climbing on my hands and knees down elk trails?

Welcome to hunting Weyerhauser land in regards to the roads and road hunters.

As for the Horse crap..  there are horses up there, that have been turned loose, they have been there for years.  The stallions and even the lead mares can be aggressive. 

There are some decent bucks and lots of elk in that unit but you have to find them, and they love reprod.... 

[janttihunter]

Bobcat, How do you hunt reprod? I get in there and always jump at least one deer. And im sure a few more sneak out the back door (ive found hot piles of droppings) Should I just creep slower? or find a spot with a little opening and wait? I hunt alone so cant drive it.

[bobcat]

I would only hunt the edge of the reprod.

[WSU]

Bobcat, How do you hunt reprod? I get in there and always jump at least one deer. And im sure a few more sneak out the back door (ive found hot piles of droppings) Should I just creep slower? or find a spot with a little opening and wait? I hunt alone so cant drive it.

Let me know if you figure it out.  Those elk stay in the reprod, especially now that there has been so much activity up there.