Toutle Quality

[RallyDawg]

Nice bull. 

September was a lot of fun in the Toutle and we had bulls around us each day but unfortunately we could never get a clear shot before the wind would swirl or a cow would bust us.   There is always late season.....

[Rickyrebar]

Anyone with any experience hunting muzzy elk. How well, if at all, will the bulls respond to calling during this time period (Oct 3 -9). Assuming the Toutle unit up to that point has been open to permit holders only I wouldn't think they would be too educated?
Bugle?
Cow call?
Also, best strategy in your opinion... thick timber during the day, perhaps clear cuts early morning, late evening?

Did any of your calling strategies work out Rick?

I was cow calling to this guy from a distance but after several hours the night before and the morning of he wouldn't budge from where he was at. so I moved into the timber, closer to where he was, still no budging him, although he was defiantly responding to my calls... saying you come here, so I did. Went in deeper basically his loud mouth lead me right to where he was shacked up with 3 cows. So to answer the question, I do not think my cow calling got me the bull as much as his bugling gave away his exact location.

[duggyphresh]

If they lead the way that's better than nothing... Nice work.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Nice bull elk!!!!!

[duggyphresh]

Got my 1st elk in Toutle...  Thanks for all the help guys.  It was a rush.

[billythekidrock]

Are you guys seeing many cows in the Toutle? I heard, second hand, that even locals were having a hard time finding cows.
That seems hard to believe.

[duggyphresh]

We saw a spike the night before opening day.  My elk, and a couple other hunters got a 5x3 on opening day.  No cows though.

[Casey]

Are you guys seeing many cows in the Toutle? I heard, second hand, that even locals were having a hard time finding cows.
That seems hard to believe.

I saw a group of 20 cows in August when scouting for my dad

[rackattack]

That's a good first elk.  You did well.  I've heard the Toutle is not looking to good for cows as well.

[jpharcher]

The locals with or without the appropriate permits?

[duggyphresh]

We saw lots of cows 3 weeks ago... Not sure where they went though.

[billythekidrock]

My 13 year old nephew has a cow permit but it does not sound too good.

[TheHunt]

My nephew has a youth cow permit as well.  So it will be interesting come Nov 23rd.

[Big6bull]

Elk numbers in there seem to take a dramatic loss each and every year   even Cow permits certainly no gimme

[Casey]

If you look at the tags they give out 40 youth rifle cow tags in toutle and 35 regular rifle cow tags it's going to get whipped out pretty good