Norway Pass archery bull help!!!

[Brandobando]

Got drawn for one of the three bull permits wondering if anyone knows any helpful hints on where to start my search! Thanks for the help!!

[moocher97]

Did you apply knowing what you were getting? Since this used to be the eastern part of the Margaret (now split) it also looks alot different then the west side meaning the east is "drier" and less trees. its probably better to glass spots rather than jumping into the woods when hunting. When me and my dad the bulltag 3 years ago we hunted salamander lake area that seemed preety good which could be a spot to check out.

[trophyhunt]

Isn't that tag in a large private property area? 

[elkhunter00]

All Forest Service

[Ghost Hunter]

Took my rag horn at 60 yards with rifle after a 3 mile stalk from the trailhead.  What ever you get will come out on your back.  I can tell you where not to come off the mountain, especially in the dark

[High Climber]

Congrats on an awesome tag! I archery hunted that area last year as a Margaret tag. my advice is to plan at least 3 scouting trips so you can check out the different access points and see which one suits you.  Be prepared to spike camp as the best portions of this unit are not hunt able as a day hunt. Pm me for more info

[Chesapeake]

To camp in there you have to get a MtMargaret back country permit and reserve your camp sites, and camp at designated locations. Bring a tent with a floor, the tent sites are ash and sand that gets everywhere when the wind blows. Get your sites reserved early. You can do it at the forest service office by Yacolt.

[issaquarcher]

Like Chesapeake says you need a back country permit and a reserved tent sight. There are only a half dozen or so as well so get them now or it may be too late. Many backpackers also apply for these. If you don't get a site then you are in for some very long hikes in every day. The further you can get in the better.

[lilredhead]

I drew one also. Total stoked..

[lilredhead]

If you're planning in coming off from the west end Weyco is charging $160 land access fee, and they're only selling 5000 permits.. I have backpacked in there since before the mountain blew, anything off the trail can get very rugged.

[Bullkllr]

If you're planning in coming off from the west end Weyco is charging $160 land access fee, and they're only selling 5000 permits.

Is that even possible? There's miles of private land in the lakes area between Weyerhaueser and the monument.

The Norway Pass elk area really only has a couple possible access points, and they are well known.

[jackelope]

It sounds like if there's 3 permits, all 3 permit holders are huntwa members.

That's cool...I hope you guys share your stories and pictures with the forum. Good luck to all.

[Ghost Hunter]

 Just ask me about what not to do after you get one down    help can come when you least expect it and need it the most.

[furbearer365]

PM me if you want.  I covered every inch last year!! Oh yeah, GET IN SHAPE

[CNELK]

Pack smart, get in shape and have people that are willing to go in and help pack meat. There is no easy way in or out all about the same from what ever side you come in from. Plus a FYI you have to call the forest service up and designate a camp site can't just camp wherever you want in there.

[Jack-Fir]

Pm me, you will have a blast up there

[andrew_in_idaho]

It sounds like if there's 3 permits, all 3 permit holders are huntwa members.

That's cool...I hope you guys share your stories and pictures with the forum. Good luck to all.

Is there another thread or are you telling us you drew jackelope because I only see 2 guys saying they have the tag

[sirmissalot]

It's rough country but lots of elk and the Bulls are very vocal, will make for a fun hunt. I'm headed up there now to show my girlfriend the area, she has a rifle cow tag.

[CNELK]

[CNELK]

I'm excited to see what you get! I love that country a lot, postcard views everywhere you look!

[h2ofowlr]

Very nice.  We will be tromping around Oct. 1-7 in that area with some tags to fill.

[SI Eagle]

If you're planning in coming off from the west end Weyco is charging $160 land access fee, and they're only selling 5000 permits.. I have backpacked in there since before the mountain blew, anything off the trail can get very rugged.

You don't need that to access any of the unit. You will be wasting your money. There is no way into that unit through Weyco land. You come off Coldwater Lake or through the monument. No key needed to get in there. It's a fun hunt but if you're not in shape for it it will ruin it for you. Been in there numerous times and know it well but is not the easiest hunt you will ever have. Maybe the most rewarding though.

[Dr. Death]

PM me if interested. Had the tag last year...you'll have a blast but as already stated, get in shape and have guys lined up to help or take them with you.

[Brandobando]

Went on the first scouting trip and saw a herd of 100 with 2 4x4s, 2 3x3s, and a couple smaller Bulls in that herd. Then we found a bachelor herd with a 5x5,5x4, and a 4x4? Is there anyone who thinks I should hunt from the norway pass trail(heavy foot traffic) or just take my chances and hit the hunters trail?

[furbearer365]

There is literally no right or wrong answer!!! Every inch of that area will have elk, its just a matter of preference of what you want to make it.  Foot traffic means nothing back there, there are only a couple of tags and 90% of the "foot traffic" is from bird watchers, hikers, and day campers that wont get off the trail and certainly wont go off trail enough to mess with the elk!!!  I would come in from all 3 access points during your scouting and then just decide what will be easier for you once your bull is down!!  The access point is a mute point until you have an area you want to hunt.  I wouldn't recommend coming in from Norway Head if you plan to hunt Black Mountain!! And I wouldn't come in from Coldwater if you want to hunt around Grizzly!! So, the question I think we need to know from you is where are u planning to actually hunt?  Also, what kind of experience are u looking for?  Are u looking to just fill a tag?  Do you want to put in days of hunting and try for a giant?  How much pain are u willing to endure for the bull you want?

[jackelope]

There is literally no right or wrong answer!!! Every inch of that area will have elk, its just a matter of preference of what you want to make it.  Foot traffic means nothing back there, there are only a couple of tags and 90% of the "foot traffic" is from bird watchers, hikers, and day campers that wont get off the trail and certainly wont go off trail enough to mess with the elk!!!  I would come in from all 3 access points during your scouting and then just decide what will be easier for you once your bull is down!!  The access point is a mute point until you have an area you want to hunt.  I wouldn't recommend coming in from Norway Head if you plan to hunt Black Mountain!! And I wouldn't come in from Coldwater if you want to hunt around Grizzly!! So, the question I think we need to know from you is where are u planning to actually hunt?  Also, what kind of experience are u looking for?  Are u looking to just fill a tag?  Do you want to put in days of hunting and try for a giant?  How much pain are u willing to endure for the bull you want?

Are there giants in there? What kind of bull is considered a giant with that permit?
250" 280" 350" ??

[Labredog]

Had that tag 2 years ago, and a cow tag in there last year. I would consider 250-280 to be on the big end of the scale for the bulls in there the past couple of years. Most of the bulls I encountered were in the 220-250 range and 5X5's. only seen one 6X6 and that was on the wrong side of the trail up by MT Margaret. My hunting partner and I pretty much had the panhandle lake area to ourselves when we were after our bulls, with only 3 permits in that entire elk area you guys are going to go nuts trying to decide which noisy bulls to chase after. If I could do that hunt again I would still go up the hunters trail. With the later season this year you 3 tag holders may get to see a few more of the bigger bulls that do tend to not show themselves until later Sept. This Sept My hunting partner and I drew Peaches archery bull permits, I can only hope we Have as much fun and success as we did in the Margaret. Good Luck and Happy hunting!

[furbearer365]

There is literally no right or wrong answer!!! Every inch of that area will have elk, its just a matter of preference of what you want to make it.  Foot traffic means nothing back there, there are only a couple of tags and 90% of the "foot traffic" is from bird watchers, hikers, and day campers that wont get off the trail and certainly wont go off trail enough to mess with the elk!!!  I would come in from all 3 access points during your scouting and then just decide what will be easier for you once your bull is down!!  The access point is a mute point until you have an area you want to hunt.  I wouldn't recommend coming in from Norway Head if you plan to hunt Black Mountain!! And I wouldn't come in from Coldwater if you want to hunt around Grizzly!! So, the question I think we need to know from you is where are u planning to actually hunt?  Also, what kind of experience are u looking for?  Are u looking to just fill a tag?  Do you want to put in days of hunting and try for a giant?  How much pain are u willing to endure for the bull you want?

Are there giants in there? What kind of bull is considered a giant with that permit?
250" 280" 350" ??

By "giant" im referring to "relative" for that area, just like every other unit!!!  A Margaret giant is not a Blues giant.  By giant im talking 300-320, remember, these are westside Rosies, not the 380-400 Blues bulls you are accustomed to getting pics of Jackelpoe!!      Yes, the bulk are 220-280 5x5s, but if you know where to go, there is a 300 class bull or two to be had!!!  I saw 3 bulls last year that would make the mark, but when hunting by yourself and youre already 9 miles in, tacking on the other couple of miles to get to them just isn't doable!!  But, they are there

[jackelope]

Ok thanks. I was more or less just curious what type of bulls a guy could expect to find in there. It wasn't a challenge or anything. I had a pretty good idea what type Bulls were there. Just wondered what was considered a giant for that hunt. Thanks.

[furbearer365]

Ok thanks. I was more or less just curious what type of bulls a guy could expect to find in there. It wasn't a challenge or anything. I had a pretty good idea what type Bulls were there. Just wondered what was considered a giant for that hunt. Thanks.

    For sure, I got what you were saying!! Ive always had the thought that every unit has it own version of a giant!!! I try not lump elk as a whole because its just not fair to put a Margaret bull in the same category as say, a blues bull, as far as score is considered, its just not comparable!! Or even state to state for that matter, a Washington giant is not a Utah giant!! So basically just referring to what the Margarets version of a giant would be!!  These tag holders should have an absolute blast in there, especially since the tag is later than the general in the Margaret, it should push even more elk back into that country!!!   

[Dr. Death]

Will be an absolute awesome hunt, especially only 3 of you and being later as already stated. Last year I had a ball in there, it was a ton of work, but well worth it. You'll get out of it what you put into it now in regards to training and getting into shape. I'd love to do it again.

[sirmissalot]

We were in there again this weekend, lots of elk talking and great weather to be up there, I don't think I've ever had that great of visibility up there before.

We did see one bull that was what I would definitely put in the giant category for that area, he was a good distance away but he would for sure pass the 300 mark. Big fronts, 3rds and decent tops. He was of course in the neighboring unit though.

We are going to be camped at the bear camp for my girlfriends cow tag which opens the 17th, and will be there till she kills.

Let us know how you end up doing!

[elkh8me]

great pics

[steeliedrew]

Anybody hear how the 3 permit holders did in there?

[High Climber]

I think it started today for archery?

[steeliedrew]

I think it started today for archery?

Oh wow, I'm jealous. 

[TheHunt]

Hopefully, video and lots of pictures to come.

[sirmissalot]

Well how did you guys do?

[h2ofowlr]

I spoke with one of the rifle tag holders that was out scouting.  He said he saw a 360 class bull.  I looked over almost every bull I could find or started bugling and never saw one of that caliber.  320 class bull would have had me excited in there.

[sirmissalot]

Yeah a 360 is a little hard to believe I've spent a good amount of time up there. I did see a bull that would easily pass the 300 mark, but still not even a 320 which I'd be absolutely tickled with!

[sirmissalot]

Nothing?

[High Climber]

so how did it go up there guys?