Back from the first Dry Side Scouting trip.

[krism83]

Our group has been hunting the Westside for at least 15 years running now. Started out at Humptulips and moved to Packwood about 8-10 years ago. Hunting down in Packwood is a zoo anymore and we started kicking around the idea of moving east. Talked to a few guys who had hunted over there for 25+ and decided to go take a peak.

Just got back earlier today from a 3 day scout trip to Manastash/Wenas/Tamarack areas, at first glance it looks pretty promising. Saw a few elk roaming around and a mule deer the first night. Do any of you guys hunt these areas? Do you know how crowded it gets out there for the Modern season?

Is it going to be the opposite of the westside where you only see spikes and cows when you need 3 point or better, now that I need a spike im only going to see some Monster wall hangers?

[NWBREW]

Manastash for elk during modern.....I've done it twice. First time in 2004 when I drew a cow tag and swore I would never return. Drew a cow tag in 2011 and swore I would never go back.  Tagged out both times but man I'll tell you what....I have NEVER seen so many people. I will never go back.......unless I draw another cow tag. 

[krism83]

Judging by the amount of "campsites" and some the locations we seen them we assumed it got busy up in some of those hills.

[iRem]

Yeah it gets busy, Packwood had just over 900 modern firearm hunters last year vs. 1700 in Manashtash.....

[kirkl]

Pumpkin city

[muzbuster]

You might bring a club and practice your swing before going. 

[D-Rock425]

If h20hunter would hurry up and full his bear tag we would go scout too.

[fishngamereaper]

If you hunt any of those areas get off the road about a mile and youll be away from most of the hunters. The steeper, thicker the country the less people and the more elk. Good Luck.

[muzbuster]

If you hunt any of those areas get off the road about a mile and youll be away from most of the hunters. The steeper, thicker the country the less people and the more elk. Good Luck.

[D-Rock425]

I'm heading over memorial day weekend to scout.

[et1702]

VERY crowded during modern!!!  I always hunt archery elk elsewhere.  But, I took my son and Bro-in law about nine years ago and played guide during modern.  Tons of road hunters and Orenage behind every bush.  Plus its tough to find an area that is over a mile away from a road.  I will never go back...lol.

ET

[vandeman17]

I agree with the above statements that it is very crowded during modern season. There are lots of roads with pretty easy access and it isn't too bad of a drive from darn near anywhere in the state. I think all that leads to having tons of people. I switched to archery partly to get away from all the pumpkin patches during rifle season. I have told myself I will never hunt elk in washington with a rifle again and so far I have kept my word.

[fishngamereaper]

If you look hard enough plenty of places to get lost in. I hunt there, well that general area, a little higher than the areas you scouted. I seldom see another person, and when I do its an orange spot on a different ridge.There isn't even a camp within a mile of mine.... But I will agree the Stash and Wenas do get tons of road hunters.

[PlateauNDN]

My favorite area! its busy during modern but plenty of places to get away and enough spikes to go around. I was helping a relative during modern and unfortunately he didn't tag out but had multiple oportunities and even right after the season I seen at least 5 legal spikes that made it through.  Get away from the roadies and find some deep dark spots and you'll connect.