Cow tag Dec 17-31 in Teanaway GMU 335--any tips?

[jmden]

Hello all,

My brother and I drew cow tags as mentioned in the subject line.  Saw lots of easily shootable elk in the general season, just no spikes...  So, would really like to capitalize on this cow tag in the Teanaway.  Don't know the area that well, but at that time of year, I would guess the cows would be down in the valleys feeding and then finding a place to hide during the day. Don't know of any private land to hunt on, so that'll make things more difficult. 

[jmden]

Any thoughts or tips?

[rosscrazyelk]

Should of started knocking on doors when you found out. . Or start now.  Lot of antis but some who allow it. Good luck

[D-Rock425]

Good luck

[nw_bowhunter]

Lots of elk in the lowlands, you will do great with some private access. Good excuse for a road trip to scout and knock on a few doors.. Good luck

[jmden]

Yep, I probably should've done some looking around earlier.  Was really hoping to tag out in the regular season, but no banana (spike).

[alpha_hoyt1987]

im doing late archery up there and was scouting last weekend didn't see much. did see wolf tracks down low. not a good sign. ive talked to some locals there and they haven't seen the elk in a couple weeks

[LarMar14]

A lot depends also on how much snow we get by then. They are there, just don't see them as much with the wolves pushing them around. My dad, uncle, and I all drew this tag this year also so we'll be in the woods the same time. I live in this unit and have a lot of private land to hunt so shouldn't be too difficult. (But you never know, thats why its called hunting.) PM me a week or so before the hunt opens and i wouldn't be opposed to given ya little info. 

[jmden]

Thanks for the help. 

There is a Teanaway wolf pack, I understand.  Great...

With the new land swap creating the Teanaway Community Forest and that being under state control now, it will be interesting to see how much more opened up to hunting that area will become.  My understanding is that, for now, nothing will change in regards to which roads are open and closed in the formerly American Forest Holdings land until there's been a process of public input.  But, in the meantime, I'll be hunting and not being from the area, I'm not sure which roads off the Teanaway and it's forks are open onto the old AMF land.  Then, of course, the snow will be a huge player.

[wheels]

my dad had the tag last year all i can say is watch the weather i would go the firat week

[jmden]

Yeah...unfortunately we probably won't be able to go until after Christmas. 

[alpha_hoyt1987]

im getting my trail cam tomorrow so if I have some pictures I will be sure to share with you guys

[jmden]

Thank you.  That would be great.

Do any of you guys know which roads are gated or not gated onto the old American Forest Holdings land on the main fork of the Teanaway.  On the  north side of the main fork: Mason Creek and Storm Creek roads...are they gated?  I know Carlson Canyon Road is gated on the south side there of the west fork.

I've got the huntinggpsmaps.com program on my phone (OnX) and also their program that inserts itself into Google Earth so that I can see property lines and who owns what, which is helpful in trying to figure out where to hunt, but local knowledge is often key in these endeavors, to being successful in the end.

I'd like to get up into the trees just a bit just north of Swauk Prairie, but that's all private for a bit anyway and getting back to state or national forest land there is a bit problematic with all the private land surrounding the public.

What about the Plum Creek/National Forest land just west and north of Easton?

[jmden]

Probably worth mentioning that I can shoot a cow in Elk Area 3911 right now over there in case any of you locals over there see a herd somewhere consistently in that area that looks like it has one too many cows in it.  Problem is, I'm 3 hours away, but do have enough time off work throughout the week to get over there fairly quickly most of the time.

[alpha_hoyt1987]

looks like a donkey