Drive to St. Helens?

[Eric M]

Thinking of driving down to St. Helens to do some listening Thursday night. Need some experience and I figured they might make a bunch of noise in that area since that area seems pretty good. Any suggestions for where to go in the monument area to just listen? Thanks

[luvmystang67]

I've been down there quite a bit.  Not many people and a lot of animals on both sides of the 99 road to Windy ridge.  However, a lot of 99 is open for archery right now, so you might run into a lot of people there blowing on tubes.   

[Eric M]

Thanks. I'll give that area a try. Haven't been there in a long time and never during the rut. For some reason I thought the hunting was pretty restricted at the monument. Don't want to screw up anyone's hunt.

[luvmystang67]

The Lewis river unit (560) wraps around most of the east and south side of the mountain.  I think most everything on the right of the 99 road is closed as it is part of the monument, but everything to the left is 560 and open for archery.  I do know that 560 stops at the Upper Smith Creek Trailhead.  Anything past there is closed on each side as you're inside the monument, except for special permit holders for that area.

I believe the archery season there isn't open until Oct, so you probably won't be making anyone too upset.

[westsidehntr]

Which direction are you coming from? If you are coming on I-5, I would head up to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Hwy 504 out of Castle Rock. Lots of elk and rut activity in the mud flats down below. Bring a spotter and binos.

[Eric M]

Thanks. If anyone else knows any good spots to pull over and listen, I'd really like to impress the wife on my prowess. Haha.

[Eric M]

Which direction are you coming from? If you are coming on I-5, I would head up to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Hwy 504 out of Castle Rock. Lots of elk and rut activity in the mud flats down below. Bring a spotter and binos.

Thanks Westside. I'm coming from up by JBLM so that sounds good. Just have a couple days thought it would be a nice way to spend it. I'll drive wherever just want to spend some time listening, observing, and learning what I can.

[Eric M]

So just a final question on this thread- Anybody hearing them down that way?

[luvmystang67]

They were making quite a bit of noise 3/4 weeks ago.  Seems as if they're a bit early down there.

[Eric M]

They were making quite a bit of noise 3/4 weeks ago.  Seems as if they're a bit early down there.

Thanks. I think I'll head down there anyway. Haven't seen that area in a long while. Maybe I'll get lucky and see some stuff.

[kodiak 907]

Spent a week in 520. Called in a big 6 point on opening day, he pinned my buddy down at eight steps. No shot and he is probably still running today.

Called in 2 spikes the next day.

None of the Bulls we encountered made a sound. They just came in quite.

Tons of "archers" road hunting with guys standing up in the back of trucks. Camp 9 and camp 10 guys. Avoid that area.   

[Eric M]

Spent a week in 520. Called in a big 6 point on opening day, he pinned my buddy down at eight steps. No shot and he is probably still running today.

Called in 2 spikes the next day.

None of the Bulls we encountered made a sound. They just came in quite.

Tons of "archers" road hunting with guys standing up in the back of trucks. Camp 9 and camp 10 guys. Avoid that area.   

That Winston area seems to get pretty crowded nice job bringing the bulls in. You must be doing some walking. Looking at the stats it seems to be a pretty high % GMU. Thanks for the information. I'm probably headed down to the western side/Cowlitz county with my wife. She's never heard them bugle before so I'm hoping they are still a little active.
Good luck with the rest of the season. Put a picture up if you get one

[westsidehntr]

They were making quite a bit of noise 3/4 weeks ago.  Seems as if they're a bit early down there.

Thanks. I think I'll head down there anyway. Haven't seen that area in a long while. Maybe I'll get lucky and see some stuff.

I almost can guarantee you will see elk and hear bugles if you go up Johnston Ridge with your binos/spotter. Good luck and have fun

[GetRDone]

have you ever read Mike Lapinski's stuff?

[CoastalHunter]

Spent a week in 520. Called in a big 6 point on opening day, he pinned my buddy down at eight steps. No shot and he is probably still running today.

Called in 2 spikes the next day.

None of the Bulls we encountered made a sound. They just came in quite.

Tons of "archers" road hunting with guys standing up in the back of trucks. Camp 9 and camp 10 guys. Avoid that area.   

Nice taking my brother up there tomorrow... Going to try and call one in for him.

He has a deer and elk tag so we will see what happens.

Where is Camp 10?