Elk hunting the Naneum

[cbond3318]

Ok, here's the deal, I have hunted the Naneum rifle hunt for 8 years now without success. I can't really count the first few years as a 21'ish kid more concerned with having a good time in camp and typically fighting a pounding headache at sunrise. Since, I have now focused on the hunt as well as Elk Camp with good friends, I have came across elk almost every year (branch bulls and cows) but am not confident that I have a good understanding of elk patterns in the area, feels as though I stumble into elk. I've worn out boots going high, going low and everything in between. We camp pretty high , basically the base of Nanuem Ridge down from the Tower.  I know this unit has suffered and from talks with old timers on the mountain is nowhere near what it used, I struggle with the decision to change locations every year but I feel I know the area well and can make it work. I guess what I am getting at is if anyone has experience with the area and feel like sharing their experience with me. Feel free to PM me if needed.  thanks

[sled]

  I Think Most People Stumble In To Them During Modern Season.  So Much Pressure On Them They Run Everywhere!

[littlemac]

We have hunted that area for more years than I can count.  Camp has gotten a fair share of animals over the years but that amounts to one elk every few years.  We tend to camp away from the hoards and while we see animals, to find a spike is the challenge.

It isn't because we don't know what we are doing, they just get spread out during modern in my opinion.  Some of us sit, some hike all day, some sit in camp, most don't see much.

As a qualifier I have 11 elk over the time period from 1995 to now.  The caveat is I started hunting elk in New Mexico in 2001 when I had only shot one elk in Washington.  I've only missed going south two years in the last 13 seasons in New Mexico.

It's hard to find them when they aren't there.  Keep on huntin' and you'll get yours.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Looks like going to New Mexico should be in the plans?

[littlemac]

We have been very fortunate down there.  Three of us got nice elk this year, first week of modern for ranch hunts.

I turned down about 15 elk during the five days and my son turned down two before he took a nice 5X6.

I tallked to the guide and he had two hunters the next 5 days that saw only a 3X3 and shot a 5X5 the last afternoon.  It even snowed mid week and they didn't cut a track. You just never know. 

My luck has been extraordinary I believe, we do hunt hard though.

I still can't get away from the Naneum hunt because I always have hunted there with family and friends.  Eventually our camp will probably dwindle but for now we still get 4 to 6 guys each year.  Good times.

[baker5150]

  I Think Most People Stumble In To Them During Modern Season.  So Much Pressure On Them They Run Everywhere!

Sounds like Bethel 

[leed]

It's not just you. I spend more time in that same area than anyone. I live close. I hike, hunt, camp, take Boy Scouts up, and last year I logged over 30 nights in the Naneum, 52 the year before. Here is the problem. The elk have a calendar and an advance copy of the reg's. Seriously, as soon as the camps go up they change and actually don't have patterns from that point on. Once the camps go up they eat, move and rest based on vehicles, camp locations etc.  Occasionally a few cows in a sub herd will keep the pattern out of lack of experience.  There is no answer. Just hunt the way you like. I have had three chances in 8 years but I also stay away from the masses. I hunt where others don't like to go and I stay on the fringes. Pack a lunch, water and stay out all day and put the miles or time in. It'll happen. In the mean time do what I do. Take photos, enjoy the cows and bulls and enjoy the whole experience.  Relax and enjoy it.  This is a photo I took during one of my hunting partners Cow muzzy hunt. 60 yards. I shot him with a camera!

[cbond3318]

In the 8 years I have been in this camp we have hung one, actually a great story behind it, which is why I go back there year after year. As most I'm sure can vouch the memories are as valuable as harvesting an animal. After eight years though I thought I would have the confidence in knowing where and how the elk in that area live, I could walk away each year feeling it was a fair fought battle and the elk prevailed. Instead I leave feeling more confused then when I arrived. Maybe it is just years of not getting an animal, maybe this year is my year. Maybe Sled is right and during Modern its an elk scramble, just wondering what others thought.

[littlemac]

leed, that reminds me of the year my dad was camped at Williams Creek BLM at the bottom of Liberty.  He was there a few days early and had found a herd hanging up above Liberty.

The night before the opener he and a buddy went up to Mineral Springs to watch the ball game and have ribs.  On the way back to camp that night the entire herd walked down through Liberty and across 97.  Stayed on the road the entire way.  That year elk was closed at the time in the Teanaway.  I think you are right, they get their own copy of the regs.

[nw_bowhunter]

cbond...its to late to switch to another unit this year. Essentially you would be hunting blind. Better to stick it out this year and start your research now , and start as early as possible next year. Great excuse for hiking and camping trips to learn other  new areas. We have a guy in our group that wants us to switch to the westside, although he is not really to interested in doing any extensive scouting...LOL It hard to leave an a GMU that you know well.. good luck

[Timberstalker]

Cbond,
Keep burning boot leather like I know you know how. It will happen. You hunt hard!

[cbond3318]

I appreciate the feedback and positivity . A new area is always tempting but there is nothing like hitting that forest road you know so well, heading up the mountain and passing every familiar camp of guys along the way. It will happen.

Since it is fresh on my brain, I gotta share the story of the one elk we did get.

So camp is made up of a few good friends I grew up with and there brothers and dads ,with my buddies and I being 22 and full of it , gung ho to kill an elk. After a disappointing opening day we all decided to ease the pain of an elkless Saturday by stoking up the fire and enjoying quite a bit of the smoothest elk camp whiskey known to man , Black Velvet.

Sunday morning rolls around and I am up and outta camp first, rifle in one hand and a splitting headache in the other beating feet to get to a secluded water hole I had found the day before. I was just positive I would have one down as soon as the sun rose. Mean while back at camp everybody else was just rolling out of there sacks arguing over who was going to cook breakfast.   

Around noon or so and not seeing anything, I decide to hike back down to camp to see how everyone else was doing and grab a bite before the evening hike. As I get into camp I see my buddy is just getting back in as well. I was pleased to see at least they made it out of the tent. Now, picture my buddy who  is 6'4" heavy side of 300 and just sweating balls , pale as a ghost and looks confused as hell. As I meet him I say " man you look rough buddy , how'd you do?" 
"I frickin missed one man!" he says, " what do you mean you missed one? you shot at one? " I say
"yeah 40 damn yards and I missed!".

He goes on to tell me the tale of the missed shot , he says" I was in my usual spot (which is a nice little tree with some overhanging limbs he snuggles up under about 100 yds from camp) I had just closed my eyes to take a nap when I heard a twig snap. When l looked up , there was a frickin monster spike standing there staring  at me broadside, so I rub my eyes and sure as sh** he's real. So I grab my rifle, get him in the scope , squeeze the trigger and click! So I jack a shell in re align, squeeze the trigger and BOOM! After the smoke clears, he trots off , nothing. So after listening to this amazing chain of events I ask, " what did he do after the shot?" He says, "he dove off straight down into the nasty canyon."
I ask "did you go in after him to check for blood?" "hell no! have you seen how steep that sh** is ?" "I think you hit him man, especially if he went down hill"  I say.

After about 15 mins of thinking this over in my head and talking about it with him, I am convinced he got it and I would dive off the nasty canyon in search of our first elk. So I convince him and another buddy to walk back out there, re enact the scene and start looking for blood. About 30 minutes into looking, I spot a tiny speck of blood on a small twig heading down into the nasty stuff. Soon later, another and another until finally my other buddy starts hollering and bailing down to a dead elk! 

Now remember, here is a couple 22 year olds , in the bottom of an armpit of a canyon nursing hangovers and standing there game planning how in the hell to get this thing up and outta there now about 4:30 in the afternoon. After discussing numerous options, the plan was set, cut it in half, poke a 4" round tree behind the knees and pack it out, with my buddy who shot it out ahead of us picking the best route through the tangle of blow down.  Well the stubbornness withstood the challenge and around 10:00pm the 2 halves were back at camp and hanging from the pole.

I must say elk camp whiskey never tasted so sweet!


These are the memories that will keep me in the mountains year after year, success or not.