Author Topic: I drew Watershed bull (Read 17044 times)

JoeE · « **on:** June 12, 2015, 11:54:32 PM »

I drew the watershed bull hunt Oct 31-Nov 8. Does anybody have any advice or info to share? PMs would be great!

JoeE · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2015, 11:59:51 PM »

.....and my son drew a Dayton youth cow tag. The same time as my watershed hunt.

JoeE · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2015, 12:00:29 AM »

And I also drew an Umtanum cow tag

NWWA Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2015, 05:44:42 AM »

Learn how to eat a whole elk on the hill so you don't have to pack it out. My buddy had the tag there around 5 years ago. I have a little info so when you look at a map PM me and I'll try and answer any questions

Kazekurt · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2015, 05:50:15 AM »

My neighbor drew the tag a few years back and took a nice bull. Be prepared to shoot cross canyon and be proficient out to 500 yards

MtnMuley · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2015, 05:52:40 AM »

Do a simple search on this site. Plenty of info on the shed.

Tbar · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:03:56 AM »

Congrats Joe! Are you going to do a drop camp?

Hoythunter · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:20:16 AM »

Had the tag a few years back myself. Be in the best shape of your life, the terrain is literally breathtaking. My old man went in with me and broke his ankle in the bottom, that's an entirely other story. If you don't tag out first day or two don't panic, 80% of the other tag holders will be heading home sucking their thumb. Elk will come back out after initial pressure. Good luck!

jackelope · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:47:30 AM »

Quote from: MtnMuley on June 13, 2015, 05:52:40 AM

Do a simple search on this site. Plenty of info on the shed.

Lots of info has been posted on here in the past.

JoeE · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:15:24 PM »

Quote from: Tbar on June 13, 2015, 07:03:56 AM

Congrats Joe! Are you going to do a drop camp?

I have to wait on the info from WDFW on the watershed access. It says online that they will be sending me a packet of info. But from some of the things I'm reading it looks like you can't camp in the watershed? Is this correct?

daddyelk · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:19:08 PM »

Yes that is correct no camping in the shed

Deer slayer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:19:16 PM »

I believe that is correct. I have had two buddies with that tag and they couldn't camp in there.

jackelope · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:37:00 PM »

No need for a drop camp.

trophyhunt · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:41:56 PM »

Hey Joe congrats! I will get a hold of you in a while, been there a couple years ago. You will love it!!!

Firedogg · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2015, 02:20:54 PM »

Looks like we are both in the same boat. Drew a cow tag for another area (i got Lickcreek muzzleloader cow) and then got the Watershed tag (muzzle loader). I have not hunted that piece of the Blues before, spent more time a bit east in the Mountainview and Lickcreek areas.
I've spent all night last night and then this morning scouring for info. So far I've found that you can go in with a non-hunting buddy during the hunt and the info has said you can have up to three helpers pack out an animal after you get it down. No field dressing animals within a certain distance of creek bottoms (sketchy as to whether it is 100 feet or 100 yards).
Started my hill workouts this morning. Having been over the sides in the other areas I know how steep it is and this will be hard work to bring out one of those dandies.
The 2012 report showed results were pretty good for those that did hunt the area with no bulls smaller than 6x6.
I'll be trying to figure out my hunting partner situation this year, might have to fly my son out from the east coast for a week to act as a sherpa if all else fails if he can get away from the Navy.

I see you are in Orting, I am in Eatonville. I get to Orting often to my mom's place just up from the fish hatchery. Maybe we need to meet up and compare how we are getting ready.

724wd · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:18:36 PM »

you think you know steep and deep, then you look over the edge!!!

repelling gear seemed like a good idea to me!

Ridgeratt · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:24:03 PM »

Quote from: 724wd on June 13, 2015, 07:18:36 PM

you think you know steep and deep, then you look over the edge!!!

repelling gear seemed like a good idea to me!

Don't give away all the secret's.

It's a Killer tag but you will earn every mouthful of that steak.

Redo: It's a Killer tag both ways.

Firedogg · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2015, 07:57:25 PM »

Right after they get to the bull he pans up to where they have to go, it's steeper than it looks in the video.

http://youtu.be/ncsGN2e_LFA

King Krok · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2015, 08:10:58 PM »

Awesome video footage.

Brushbuster · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2015, 08:17:41 PM »

I wonder if a capstan winch is legal to use & would it be practical?

Firedogg · « **Reply #20 on:** June 13, 2015, 08:26:31 PM »

Probably not allowed in the watershed. I've used the chainsaw winch on elk before, but on that steep terraine and the lack of trees in many spots it would still be tough work, plus you have to pack the darn thing in.

JoeE · « **Reply #21 on:** June 13, 2015, 11:44:11 PM »

Firedogg I sent you a PM. Trophyhunt give me a shout when you get a chance I'd love to get some advice. I may need to start joining you on those Mt Peak conditioning hikes now!!

trophyhunt · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:14:50 AM »

Quote from: JoeE on June 13, 2015, 11:44:11 PM

Firedogg I sent you a PM. Trophyhunt give me a shout when you get a chance I'd love to get some advice. I may need to start joining you on those Mt Peak conditioning hikes now!!

Either mt peak or the hills in the white river scouting for my wife's bull! C'mon!! PM me your phone number, I got a new phone and lost most numbers.

BENCHLEG · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:14:37 PM »

Firedog you have your work cut out for you with a muzzy. I had the tag in 2013. Good luck and get in shape.

Joel slaybaugh · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2015, 09:51:20 AM »

Joe, I have had the opportunity to go in twice. It is a great hunt. Lots of opportunity to shoot a nice bull. You cannot camp in the the shed but there are plenty of good camping spots close to the boundary. Just start getting in shape now because it's pretty rough country.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

JoeE · « **Reply #25 on:** December 02, 2015, 01:28:23 AM »

Finally getting around to the story and pics! First off I need to thank Whuppinstick and Benchleg for their help. They were very generous with some info and tips.

People were not joking when they were talking about how rugged this country is in there. Straight up and down everywhere. The weather was awful too. It was hurricane like rain, 40-50 MPH wind and fog so thick we couldn't see 50'. Opening morning we hiked into the shed and had a plan of heading in to a ridge I wanted to look at. We got in there but couldn't see because of the fog. We were soaked to the bone already and freezing and the rain was coming down hard. We decided to keep pushing and see if we could get out of the fog. At about 10am we decided that since we still couldn't see because of fog and we were soaked and freezing, that we would turn around and head back to camp and head into town and get some more tarps (our tent started leaking the night before) and dry out. About 15 minutes after we started hiking back to camp the weather broke and the fog lifted out of the canyon we were above. I spotted a small bull and four or five cows feeding out across the ridge opposite of us. We sat down and watched the elk through the binos. After a couple minutes a 6x6 stepped out. I said before this hunt I would be happy with a good 6x6. It didn't take but a second to decide to take this bull. We also considered the weather and lack of visibility and the fact that the weather was only supposed to get worse throughout the week, I didn't know if I would even get to see another elk if this fogged stuck around. My partner ranged the elk at 475 yards. Two shots, one through the lungs and the elk just stood there like nothing happened (weird, I've never seen an animal act like nothing from a solid hit like that), and a second shot high which clipped the spine dropped him where he stood. I'm definitely happy with this bull.

Here are some pics

JoeE · « **Reply #26 on:** December 02, 2015, 01:30:59 AM »

JoeE · « **Reply #27 on:** December 02, 2015, 01:32:16 AM »

JoeE · « **Reply #28 on:** December 02, 2015, 01:33:19 AM »

HUNTaHOLIC5 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 02, 2015, 01:35:59 AM »

Nicely done!

trophyhunt · « **Reply #30 on:** December 02, 2015, 05:33:06 AM »

Yeah that place is a challenge for sure, you did great filling that tag, a lot of guys don't! Congrats on a very nice bull Joe!

Watimberghost · « **Reply #31 on:** December 02, 2015, 05:43:08 AM »

Congrats on a very nice and we'll earned bull

BENCHLEG · « **Reply #32 on:** December 02, 2015, 05:53:05 AM »

Great bull!you sure do earn them in the shed I'm glad I was able to help I still believe that the shed tag is the hardest hunt in the state for elk due to limitations and access. Congratulations check out the stats for this year you were one of the lucky few that got it done. With snow up top it hurt a lot of people's chances to get one. When it starts October 31 it already puts you behind the 8 ball. Great work.

724wd · « **Reply #33 on:** December 02, 2015, 10:06:11 AM »

Good job! Good bull!

gunnarnewt · « **Reply #34 on:** December 02, 2015, 10:22:36 AM »

Good Bull, Congrats!

WAcoyotehunter · « **Reply #35 on:** December 02, 2015, 10:25:00 AM »

Nice work! There are no easy elk in there!!! That's a good bull!

Quote from: Firedogg on June 13, 2015, 07:57:25 PM

Right after they get to the bull he pans up to where they have to go, it's steeper than it looks in the video.

http://youtu.be/ncsGN2e_LFA

LOL- I forgot about that video. I was the one running the camera...embarrassing. :/ That place is tough. I have been in there three times to help and it's always a big job.

Gentrys · « **Reply #36 on:** December 03, 2015, 03:10:10 PM »

I've heard that's a tough area to hunt. Congrats!

rosscrazyelk · « **Reply #37 on:** December 05, 2015, 09:58:42 AM »

Congrats. That's a tough hunt. Way to get it done

Landowner · « **Reply #38 on:** December 05, 2015, 07:35:01 PM »

Congrats. That is real hunting in that deep dark hell hole. No Governor tag holders hiking in day in and out over there.

Birdguy · « **Reply #39 on:** December 06, 2015, 11:59:03 AM »

Great looking bull! Nice job

.

HUNTINCOUPLE · « **Reply #40 on:** December 09, 2015, 12:18:36 PM »

. So how sore and tierd were you when all was said and done?

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #41 on:** December 09, 2015, 02:24:44 PM »

Nice bull!!

Way to get it done!

MtnMuley · « **Reply #42 on:** December 09, 2015, 02:27:17 PM »

Nothing easy with that tag.

rfhd69 · « **Reply #43 on:** December 09, 2015, 03:55:32 PM »

Great bull! Way to get it done

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Author Topic: I drew Watershed bull (Read 17044 times)

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