Archery Rimrock Unit/Goat Rocks Wilderness Question

[Shawn Ryan]

I posted the same query in the general Elk Hunting topic, but thought the readership of this topic might be different:

I'm thinking of buying an east side tag and, if not drawn, hunting the Rimrock Unit's Goat Rock Wilderness area.  I've hunted the Goat Rocks just on the other/west side of the PCT in the Packwood unit and I've hunted the William O. Douglas/South Rainier unit just on the west side of the PCT, so I think I know the terrain-type and general conditions. I'm very familiar with backpack wilderness hunting.

I'd like some feedback from those who have hunted there about hunter density during the archery season.  I'd probably bike in to the end of the road and back pack farther in than that to set up a base camp and then bivy out from there.

[fillthefreezer]

pm sent

[yakimarcher]

there are elk back there, there also are plenty of roads throughout the unit so you'll find ALOT of road hunters through out the unit. you could access the Goat Rocks from the PCT or several entry points to the SE of Clear lake. I have personally never hunted in the goat rocks but i understand that there a plent of pack string types. So i would advise to find some ground that is too steep for horses.

[buglebuster]

Ive hunted it a bit myself on the westside of the trail. There is quite a few guys up there hunting the east side. Some big horse camps.

[bullfisher]

I spent a solid four seasons on the west side of the PTC  in the william o douglas and saw progressively more boot hunters every year until there was finally too many people for me. I spent most of my time amongst the lakes closest to the PCT, penoyer, twin sisters, frying pan and even the chain lakes beyond frying pan mt. There are some big smart ghosts up there but they quickly get pushed to the less pressured bumping side by the ever growing backcountry hunter population.

[Shawn Ryan]

Thanks Yakimarcher and Buglebuster.  Horse camps usually don't bother me.

Thanks, Bullfisher. I've hunted the William O. in the same places with the exact same experience, except that I don't know about the big bulls heading to the Bumping.  I have never hunted the early part of the season there to avoid the crowds and to avoid the mosquitoes.  Hate mosquitoes.  Love big bulls.

[buglebuster]

Thanks Yakimarcher and Buglebuster.  Horse camps usually don't bother me.

Thanks, Bullfisher. I've hunted the William O. in the same places with the exact same experience, except that I don't know about the big bulls heading to the Bumping.  I have never hunted the early part of the season there to avoid the crowds and to avoid the mosquitoes.  Hate mosquitoes.  Love big bulls.

Yes lots and lots and lots of mosquitoes in the william o! Thats where my avatar pic was

[actionshooter]

Shawn, Are you not going to Oregon this year??

[Shawn Ryan]

Buglebuster, that was a successful William O. hunt. Nice bull.

Actionshooter, I don't know for sure about Oregon, I intend to; money and time will tell. No reason other than those two ugly reasons.  I continue to think that OR OTC is better than any WA OTC, but that's just my opinion. 

I always buy my WA tags as well and usually buy western archery.  I have enough points (9) that I purchased east side tags this year, hence the east-Goat Rocks question.  That is a dilemma for us west side guys:  hunt branched bulls and cows close to home or "hope" to get drawn for the Blues.  There are good bulls in wilderness areas on the west side that I enjoy hunting, but the Blues elk are sirens to my ears.  I used to think that I'd put in for Peaches or something similar; I'd still enjoy that hunt, but am having a hard time spending 9 points for that chance.

How about you? Headed back to MT?  You have new toys to use.  Have you had the raft out?

[addicted2hunting]

not trying to hi jack the thread but I plan on hunting oregon in the next couple years. if you can could you pm me some general info of oregon? what wilderness areas there are best? what do you usaually spend to hunt there? any advice would be great!

[Shawn Ryan]

Addicted, pm sent.