Stampede GMU 466

[Bordercop]

When the weather gets better and the snow goes away I plan on scouting this GMU. I am planning to access it from NF 70 off of Hwy 410 and go east about 12 miles to NF 7030/7036 out of GMU 653 White River (no elk hunting without a special tag). Has anyone been out there? In addition I am seeking a hunting coach/mentor. So if anyone is interested I would greatly appreciate it.

[WapitiTalk1]

I used to hunt there many years ago and it wasn't a bad area.  Stopped hunting there as the hunting pressure became out of this world.  Not sure what it's like now, perhaps somebody will chime in with some more recent analysis.  Good luck.     

[elkfins]

You'd probably get more help if you didn't have that ridiculous 49rs avatar...

[Hooked On Chrome Guide Service]

I wouldn't waste your time trying to get up there until around June the snow drifts up really bad up on top of the 7030. The Indians hunt it pretty hard along with a lot of other hunting pressure. I personally wouldn't waste a whole lot of time up there it's not what it use to be

[trophyhunt]

I know a guy that muzzy hunts or archery, damn I forgot which! But he said last year it was really busy with other hunters.  Some big bulls if you get lucky, and the Indians like the boarder road with the white river!

[asl20bball]

I am familiar with the area. I wouldn't prioritize it for deer or elk due to lack of animals and way too much hunting pressure. Check the harvest stats on the WDFW site...not too impressive. I have moved areas myself as a result. I have seen more dead elk up there in august while scouting/bear hunting than during season which tells me either poaching or native hunting pressure (prob both). Anyway, IMHO they get pushed east of the PCT and/or down to 653 where there is less road access/pressure. I think it is just such an easy access spot that it gest hit too hard. good luck tho.

[Whitehunter]

There are deer and elk in there but you got to do a lot of hiking.  Meaning going far in the deep *censored*.  Where no one else goes!

[Bordercop]

Thank you everyone for your input. I guess I just have to do some homework. I'm just trying to find a few good areas without making a log drive to the east side or to Packwood or Winston which are the best areas for elk. Also as some have said and from Operation Cody a lot of poaching.

[Crunchy]

I would never rifle hunt Stampede unit.  Unless, you can find some timber with no road access.  It is far too busy.  Go archery or muzzleloader

[Ccortez]

I would never rifle hunt Stampede unit.  Unless, you can find some timber with no road access.  It is far too busy.  Go archery or muzzleloader

Archery isn't any better.
It's not open for muzzle loader either

[xXLojackXx]

  Unless, you can find some timber with no road access.  It is far too busy. 

I hate to break the news to you, but that's almost every unit.

Pretty much all units in the state hold good bulls, you just have to know the areas really well and get back behind the roads to find them.

[Ccortez]

  Unless, you can find some timber with no road access.  It is far too busy. 

I hate to break the news to you, but that's almost every unit.

Pretty much all units in the state hold good bulls, you just have to know the areas really well and get back behind the roads to find them.

 

[Ccortez]

Doesn't matter if you do archery muzzleloader or rifle you are always gonna have road hunters or people that camp inthe middle of a good spot

[bentley30-06]

I archery hunt that unit for elk pretty often.....that being said there are a few attributes of the unit that work against you, considering their is 100% 24/7 access to and from that unit either from Greenwater where you are planning on entering or from Easton on I-90.  Lot of characters that go up there doing whatever they may be doing.  There is a lot of timber patches up there.  However the unit itself is pretty small in regards to the PCT coming right down and creating a hell of a lot of foot traffic from people hiking through it, specially during archery season, and also the Tacoma watershed is on one side as well which does not permit any access at all I believe.  There are also individuals who will implement their rights up there, so prepare for some frustrating events to unfold while you pursue your game....  That being said....Steep ground with limited vehicular access and lots of hiding spots.

[bentley30-06]

I just hopped on the computer at home so I will show you a little guy I pulled out of there archery of '08 if I recall.

[T-Dozzer]

Place is a s&@t show. Natives, Russian mushroom pickers banging on buckets (they are scared of bears) hikers, campers, weekend warriors, etc
You will spend more time trying to avoid people than looking for animals. It's a pretty busy place.
Good luck

[casey58]

The last 2 posts are both spot on. 

[TheFewTheProud]

I saw a really nice bull in there back in 2010. Check out the areas around the powerlines as well. I know a couple people who see a few in there.

[Whitehunter]

Forgot blue berry pickers t-dozzer. 
Google earth the place. 
If u are a thought then shall succeed.  Was told that once!

[RadSav]

It's a prime spot for berry pickers and pot smokers.  Probably a prime choice to score some good weed.  And stalking is pretty quiet as all those used condoms really insulate your boots from the noisy rocks.   

Back when we hunted it a lot about 4 out of five bulls we would call in would get blown out by some berry picker, shroom bucket toter or pot smoking hippy.  There are a few elk in there, but we finally got tired of it and bugged out.  More elk elsewhere and half the Birkenstock flappers.  In recent years the Evel Knievel pedal pushers have added to the morons without a clue invading 466.

I too have seen more dead elk before season up there than many years during the season.  One was a definite cougar kill, but the rest were all bulls with their antlers cut off while they were in velvet.  Not many gamies in that area and I think the poachers found that out long ago.  It's been a problem ever since we started hunting there back in '88 or '89.

Maybe the way the OP is planning on getting in there is better than the way we always got in there    But I'd never expect to be all alone in that unit no matter where you are.

[bentley30-06]

Hopefully you just get drawn this year so you don't have to worry about the nightmare of dealing with this.  That is my plan...