Willapa Hills/Swakane 08' here we come!

[roadhuntking]

Like a little kid the night before christmas waiting for santa.  We leave at 4pm and its killing me sitting here waiting for my cousin to get off work.  Motorhome is packed, trailer is hooked up, yota is strapped on the trailer, and the bicycles are strapped between the truck and trailer and its a show ready to rock....and here I sit....The plan is to get me my elk asap and with whatever time left before the 30th to head over to the Swakane to get my cousin on a mulie.  This is my first trip to either of these units and its also my first year archery for elk.  Im going with 3 other guys that have hunted both units A LOT, so Im pretty excited to be going with some boys that now they're way around.  Though I am a riffle deer hunter I will be in the Swakane for moral support, packing, spotting, and an occasional whiskey in the evening.  I will do my best for pics, I know how we all like pics and a story. So until then good luck to everyone else that will be out enjoying they're late hunts.

Corey


I see theres a post about gates in the Willapa, if someone has some concrete news about this I would much appreciate some info before I leave in the next hour or so. thanks

[Tim]

Timber Co. maps are usually available at the Texico station in PeEll.They will show where the gates are and the locals(at the hardware store) should have some insite into open or closed gates  Good Luck  Tim

[roadhuntking]

Thanks Tim.  I am just hoping that gates that are generally locked are still locked.  Need to put some miles in on the ol' peddal bike.

[Tim]

roadhuntking,did you do any good in the Willapa Hills this weekend?I was down there last year before there big floods and I was just wandering about the conditions   Tim

[roadhuntking]

Well Im back and Im back empty handed.  We arrived late wednesday night got the motorhome parked and the yota and bikes unloaded.  After a few minutes to relax from the 5 hour drive we decided to take a little night time cruise up the road to see how many other camps were there and check on the gate.  Well no other camps and a WIDE open gate.  My cousin was in complete amazement, he has been hunting this particular area for 10 years, and has never been able to access the area via an automobile.  Our other two partners wouldn't be to camp until late the next evening, and even though it was kinda our plan to get me an elk asap, which in itself is a funny thing to say when going hunting, it almost happend.  The next morning we got all packed up, camelbacks full and through the gate at daylight.  The plan was to take a quick spur road where my cousing had seen elk before and get to a vantage point to glass the surrounding hills.  So 5 minutes onto this road (still in the truck) I look to my left give out the Oh *censored* Elk alert to my cuz and keep driving out of site, stop the truck grab my pack and my bow and off I went down the hill after them, I had only initially seen 4 and when I got about 100 yards down the hill I seen plenty more heading into the timber and at a very fast pace.  So I marched my out of shape ass straight down to where they went (yes I said down, little on the weak side this year), after following they're track for 40 minutes or so my cuz calls me on the radio and said he has them at 40 yards above the road at the bottom of the hillside on a flat feeding where you can only see them from the timber along the drainage that he is hidden in.  He pulls out gets in the truck drives up to pick me up and head back down to where he left them.  We proceed to make my favorite and funnest stalk of all time.  We had 3 elk left on the flat by the time we get back to them, my cuz points out one and says to me thats the elk your gonna shoot.  She had her back to us the whole time, all we worried about was the other two cows.  So after creeping through the reprod, straight downhill to a creek, using 2 different downed trees to cross the creek, walking on our hands and knees hiding behind little 2-4 ft. trees another cow had appeared above us that we didn't detect, she busted us and off she and one of the other cows went, the cow we were after didn't see or hear a thing and she just kept feeding, my cuz stayed back as I snuck up behind a little replant and ranged her at 57 yards, came to full draw kneeled down and very comfy and calm and just waited for her to turn broadside, she turned to walk up hill perfectly broadside with her front leg forward, and I let it fly, watched my arrow fly like I was riding it and wap it drilled her........a little high and 4 inches left, she turned took about 5 steps did a little "Im gonna fall down quiver" then took about 15 more steps stopped did the same little quiver and then just stood there out of shooting range for about 15-20 minutes not moving an inch, and then over the ridge she walked down towrds the road.  We gave her a while longer hoping she walk off and laid to die.  We got to where I shot her and followed the trail she walked to where she stood no arrow, no blood except two tiny little drops in the same spot.  We looked every possible scenario for over a day and a half and could find nothing and accepted the fact that I put an arrow in no mans land. So our idea of getting an elk asap was almost done in the first couple of hours of the trip.  The next 5 days was a lot of hiking, bike riding, glassing hillsides, and a little bit of road hunting.  Seen a few more elk and then packed up and came home for Thanksgiving.  Left the truck packed and headed to the eastside at 5 a.m. friday, our other two partners went to swakane, let the air out of a little 3x2, we hunted south of them and tagged nothing.   And as far as any pics go, I lost my motivation and just flat forgot after being sick about not harvesting that cow.

[ICEMAN]

Ok, here are a few questions from a non-bow hunter.

Why dont guys send a second arrow into the animal if it is still standing?

The cow left with your arrow? Do you notch this as your elk for the year? 

[Alan K]

I fling arrows until I see blood running out of 'em like a firehose, they go out of sight, or they go down.

The way the cow acted certainly pointed to her going down, or at least not going far.  It's too bad you lost her, sounds like it was just a tough situation.  Live and learn.

[roadhuntking]

ICEMAN after reading your post I realized two things, one I failed to mention when she stood there for that long she was at 87 yards, too far for another, and second yes I did knock another arrow after I hit her and by the time she had stopped to give me another shot I did fling another that was short, later we ranged everything and the second shot was at 78 yards and my arrow hit 10 yards short. And I do not know if she left with my arrow, it is something we discussed, as  she stood for that lengthy of time we could see no arrow or blood, and there was brush and a little tree in the way to get a clean and perfect visual. Amongst searching for an elk we looked everywhere for my arrows and only found the one that landed short stuck in a dead log. And as for the notch in my tag, thats a good and tricky question that I think could arouse an huge discussion among many hunters.  Alan K it is a tough situation and if oppurtunity was there, more arrows would have flown.  And exactly what you said, the way she acted, in my mind I felt that I had just arrowed and was going to harvest my first archery kill with lots of meat in the freezer.  So like you said, "live and learn" and that I did. But I will say this, after hunting anything with bow and arrow for the first time I am beyond hooked and addicted, I might need rehab!

[aceseal]

Hey road huntking this is the aceseal.  Why don't you spend more time shooting your bow instead of running your fingers all over the state?  This is what I would like to see-- the hunting was horrible the people were lousy and it rained every day and did I mention the fog the horrible food at the Hunters Inn and how bad the whiskey tasted over a wet wood fire in a wall tent w/ silver dollar size holes in it. Copy that over.  Just kidding anyway.  To the guy that does not spend enough time in the woods that wrote shouldn't you put another arrow in it?  Did you tag the elk for the season?  Did you read that it said the elk was out of bow range where it stood?  This is over a 115 yard shot at an animal that appears wounded on the verge of going over a hill that you will not see him again possibly.  You have to take each hunting situation differently.  In this case the animal was hit a little far back and there was a possibility that it hit the liver and or on the exit the opposite side single lung.  I don't know how many single lung animal you have chased (I am guessing none because all of your shots are perfect w/ what I presume to be a smoke pole) It has been my experience that a single lunged animal and or a liver shot animal will lay down within a 100 yards or so and this animal had went in a round a bout way close to 100 yards.  You do not chase an animal in this situation nor shoot at it a distance you will not hit it clean and chances of spooking it are high. To the second part of your ignorant question did I tag this animal for it left w/ the arrow?  Did I harvest the animal?  No.  Did the animal leave w/ my arrow? Maybe   Am I eating elk right now?  No  My question to you are you an animal rights activist?  Are you really a hunter that's that good?  Have you ever hunted?  Yes-No-No?  Thanks to all who understand fair chase and the ups and downs of any type of hunting wether it be bow muzzleloader rifle sling shot bb gun We have enough groups out there with lots of money that would just as soon not see hunting take place so as hunters we need to stick together and not act like the only clean and ethical way to harvest an animal is w/ a high power rifle.  We are all hunters most of us do our best to take good clean ethical shots and sometimes it does not work out that way.  Its called hunting not gimme killing.

[Little Fish]

...a little over the top aceseal. I think Iceman's questions are reasonable.

[ICEMAN]

Hey road huntking this is the aceseal.  Why don't you spend more time shooting your bow instead of running your fingers all over the state?  This is what I would like to see-- the hunting was horrible the people were lousy and it rained every day and did I mention the fog the horrible food at the Hunters Inn and how bad the whiskey tasted over a wet wood fire in a wall tent w/ silver dollar size holes in it. Copy that over.  Just kidding anyway.  To the guy that does not spend enough time in the woods that wrote shouldn't you put another arrow in it?  Did you tag the elk for the season?  Did you read that it said the elk was out of bow range where it stood?  This is over a 115 yard shot at an animal that appears wounded on the verge of going over a hill that you will not see him again possibly.  You have to take each hunting situation differently.  In this case the animal was hit a little far back and there was a possibility that it hit the liver and or on the exit the opposite side single lung.  I don't know how many single lung animal you have chased (I am guessing none because all of your shots are perfect w/ what I presume to be a smoke pole) It has been my experience that a single lunged animal and or a liver shot animal will lay down within a 100 yards or so and this animal had went in a round a bout way close to 100 yards.  You do not chase an animal in this situation nor shoot at it a distance you will not hit it clean and chances of spooking it are high. To the second part of your ignorant question did I tag this animal for it left w/ the arrow?  Did I harvest the animal?  No.  Did the animal leave w/ my arrow? Maybe   Am I eating elk right now?  No  My question to you are you an animal rights activist?  Are you really a hunter that's that good?  Have you ever hunted?  Yes-No-No?  Thanks to all who understand fair chase and the ups and downs of any type of hunting wether it be bow muzzleloader rifle sling shot bb gun We have enough groups out there with lots of money that would just as soon not see hunting take place so as hunters we need to stick together and not act like the only clean and ethical way to harvest an animal is w/ a high power rifle.  We are all hunters most of us do our best to take good clean ethical shots and sometimes it does not work out that way.  Its called hunting not gimme killing.

Holy*censored* Aceseal, you are a total freaking idiot.  I bet you make one hell of a hunting partner.

Look dufus, a respectful, honest, straightforward question to a bowhunter, from an admitted non-bowhunter is a good thing. By sharing information and experiences, rifle hunters and bowhunters will learn to respect each other, and hopefully support each other. Most every bowhunter on this board has been very willing to explain their sport to us.

As far as your miserable attack on me, good luck. *censored* don't stick to me.

Bye the way, great first post on here boy.... Lets hope your next is a bit more thought thru. Grow up.

[ICEMAN]

Roadhuntking, thanks for explaining. I didn't quite get it , that she was out that far....

Sorry about your buddy... 

[Skyvalhunter]

 

[billythekidrock]

Ok, I am sure Aceseal gets the point. Let's not go dogpiling.

[ICEMAN]

Party pooper. 

[Charlie]

Sorry to hear that you lost her roadhuntking. Wouldn't it be sweet if we all had some do-overs, or Mulligans if your a golfer. Unfortunately we learn more from a situation like you went through then we do from the sound advise of an expert. I don't think there is a rehab program for archery. It is a terminal condition. Many wives have looked for a cure but they have not found successful.

[roadhuntking]

Thanks Charlie, I believe it is a sickness I am willing to live with.  I also think that it is something the little woman is going to have a tough time with, considering the possibilities of more time in the woods.  All in all, it was a great 10 or so days on the road with my cuz. Lots of good laughs and hunts and as usual trying to soak up as much of his knowledge and exerience in the woods as I can, and for that I say thank you to him as I am very greatfull of his willingness to teach.  Like any other thing we do in life, repetition will hone and learn you the ways of what you love to do. 

[mrgoodwrench]

That sucks when someone loses an elk.  I'm pretty sure we ran into your party when you were looking for her.  They were on bikes, and told us about your situation. One of our guys whacked his first bow cow the same day.  Judging from his rant Aceseal must be the *censored* artist that drives for UPS.  Just to clear a few things up...the fog and rain is perfect, it keeps most guys in the truck, and the food at Hunters is the best in Pacific County. 

[roadhuntking]

Oh I wouldn't give him that much credit.  Some people are just Proffesionals!

[aceseal]

Ok Ok already here we go w/ the second post.  MrGoodwrench that was us and by the way I found a key to all of those gates the last day we were there if you want to get one over on one of your co-workers that lost it I would be happy to send it to you if you respond to me w/ a personal email.  I guess I came off a little rash but when it seems like someone is questioning the integrity of a friend and family member it becomes offensive.  I still do not believe that he was trying to get answers for what my cousin had done but more so rubbing salt into the bow hunters wound.  If you were just merrily trying to get answers than fair enough.(with the nickname the opioniated one I guess this to had a hard time sticking to me.)  Hunting is about good times and sharing stories so in the future that is what I will use this blog for.  Mr.Goodwrench any luck from your friend in the Sinlahekin?  Good luck to all and to all goodluck.

[dreamingbig]

Okay, I am a bowhunter and disagree with some on here as to effective ranges however to each there own.  57 yards is not a shot I would take at an animal as I feel there are too many things that can go wrong even though I shoot out to 70 yards in practice.  I am glad to hear you took a second shot; that is mandatory if it is still around and you are unsure of the first shot.  The more arrows the better.

I would encourage you to rethink your effective killing range especially given your now gained experience.  It is tough to tell exactly where an arrow hits at that range even with great eyes.  Overall it sounds like you are trying to learn from the experience.  Losing an animal is never easy and when you do you find yourself doing everything possible to prevent it from happening again.

[BlackTail]

and the food at Hunters is the best in Pacific County. 

That's debatable!!   

[Chesapeake]

A few thoughts.

50+ yards seems realy far for a first bow kill.

As for notching the tag for the lost elk. Thats a highly personal thing that each individual must decide for themselves. I think its out of line to ask a guy if he did this.

It sounds like you gave it your all to try and recover the animal. I respect that.

[300winmag]

I think that aceseal needs to pull his head out and realize that you owe that animal to find it and put it down if its not all ready. To many bow hunters have the same kind of thinking,that is ,well that one ran of with my arrow, or that was not a good hit oops oh well,well find another one.Do you know how many elk get stuck and lost here every bow season to many to even keep score.I have friends that knocked a big bull down this year and it got away,"shot to far back probably a liver shot they said".They never quit looking for that bull found it and taged the horns 6 and days after the shot ,so ya some bow hunters do the right thing and only stick one animal not just keep throwing arrows at any elk they see till one finaly stays down. There big there strong and need to be treated as such no matter what you hunt with. Even a 200 gr nosler dont always nock them off there feet. TWO WORDS ---- SHOT PLACEMENT -- SHOT PLACEMENT.....

[AKBowman]

300WinMag...why not 338UltraMag or 475H&H? Maybe a ShoulderFiredRocket will stop them in their tracks!

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

[huntnphool]

A very tough situation for sure, too bad you couldnt find her. Lets not forget that this doesn't just happen with archery gear, there are animals lost during modern seasons as well.

 As far as the shot distance, every hunter will have their own max distance they are comfortable with. I wouldn't hesitate a second about a 70 yard shot with my bow, but I already know that's a shot I practice all the time and feel comfortable doing. Repetition is the mother of all skills guys, to shoot out to 50+ yards takes practice practice practice, not something I would recommend for a first time kill but to each his own.

[huntnphool]

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

Uh, how about two weeks ago on the east side.

[300winmag]

I agre with you there are some very scary people careing a firearm during rifle season..
Im just a firm believer and teach one shot one kill.I personaly have a hard time with anyone loosing a animal... which I know that it happens with rifles also.But its never ok to loose a animal under any condition or weapon .

[ICEMAN]

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

AKbowman,  .....What the heck does that have to do with this topic? 

[huntnphool]

I hit a 6X6 a couple years ago in Montana that took off. Three of us searched for several hours that day and never found it. I drove back the following weekend by myself, hiked back up there and found it, it was pretty easy all I had to do was look for the birds. Anyway, I tagged it and my Montana hunt was over, even though I didn't get any meat.

[rasbo]

I hit a 6X6 a couple years ago in Montana that took off. Three of us searched for several hours that day and never found it. I drove back the following weekend by myself, hiked back up there and found it, it was pretty easy all I had to do was look for the birds. Anyway, I tagged it and my Montana hunt was over, even though I didn't get any meat.

cudos to you phool,thats how I would work it.if you hit it its gonna die somewhere..that to me is the sportsman like thing to do

[huntnphool]

cudos to you phool,thats how I would work it.if you hit it its gonna die somewhere..that to me is the sportsman like thing to do

Well thanks rasbo, I was sick all week thinking about it. 70 degree weather and all the critters eatin on it made one hell of a sick mess. I called WF70 and told him I had found it but there was nothing to save but the rack. I still feel bad about it but what are you to do It only cost me another $300 in fuel to go back and find it

[mrgoodwrench]

We've killed them in our group with bows, muzzleloaders and all the different 300 mags on a yearly basis.  We finally lost a bull in 2007 with a 300 win mag.  The issue was shot placement, that is the key no matter the weapon.  My sister shot a bull with a 260 remington a couple years ago...shot placement one shot at 30 yards and he dropped in his tracks. Last winter I found three lost westside elk at work , a modern bull and two bow cows. The only thing is you can usually find the arrow on a bow loss, from my unscientific analysis, don't use muzzy broad heads, all the dead elk with arrows I've found, and random broken arrows laying in the woods have had muzzys on them=)

[spin05]

I dont know about the muzzy  theory.. They are one of the more popular broadheads.Could be why you found more of them.Those broadheads are almost industructable due to there design.I bought a cabelas broadhead that came apart twice when i pulled them out of a bail of straw.