Observatory Bull hunters

[trophyhunt]

A good friend of mine drew that tag this year with 20 points, October 24th rifle.  Hope to help him out.  Great offer Tim

[Countywarrior73]

September 10th for my archery tag.  I hope the weather cooperates and it's not to stinking hot

[trophyelk6x6]

If you don't have the weather in your favor, and your not in the rut I would always focus on the heavily timbered North facing slopes.

[Countywarrior73]

You the man trophy! Much respect I can do a lot with that.  Praying for a good year for everyone.  Thanks again!

[Scottystyle]

Awesome bulls guys    It's gonna be tough eating that Teanaway cow tag in August  Not too confident I will ever draw another bull tag.

[Labs07]

Sending a PM

[Skyvalhunter]

That's a good offer put out there Tgray

[jjdavis2222]

Hell of an offer! PM sent!

[GoldenOscar]

Those pictures bring back the memories ( Not good ones) Drew the Observatory archery tag a few years ago during the big fire and the area I scouted for weeks and weeks was closed down......Oh well I am sure I will draw another quality bull tag about 16 years from now

[jackelope]

Those pictures bring back the memories ( Not good ones) Drew the Observatory archery tag a few years ago during the big fire and the area I scouted for weeks and weeks was closed down......Oh well I am sure I will draw another quality bull tag about 16 years from now

That's when that picture I posted came from. Right before the fire. That bull was standing in front of that camera on opening morning too. Just couldn't get there.

[TopLevelPredator]

Thanks TGray, PM sent.  Here's a question for anyone out there:  If I'm reading the regs correctly, there's no general archery season in the 342 Umtanum unit.  Would this be a better place to spend my time for my quality bull tag than over in Manashtash?  We know Manashtash pretty well, but there's a lot of pressure in there during archery season. 

[RookieRick]

My Dad and brother with Dad's 2014 bull from GMU 340. 

[bowhunterforever]

  Wow that's an awesome bull rick

[RookieRick]

Yeah, it was a magical trip.  It was my first time ever elk hunting - for some dumb reason I waited until I was in my 40s..  Dad, my brother Todd and I put in as a group and got drawn for ML Quality AND Antlerless.  We all saw elk, I never shot .  I had two opportunities, but the first one was the first time I'd seen an elk in person and the way I was shaking with adrenaline I didn't feel like it was in my range ;-)   Second time I was walking through some trees and elk crossed path right in front of me, maybe 50 yards ahead. I froze with the bull staring right in my direction and I was afraid to move because I wasn't sure if he saw me.  He stared me down while cow and calf continued on up a hill, waited until they were safely out of range, and then BAM he was off after them in a hurry.  When I relayed that tale back at camp, Dad chuckled and said "yeah, you should have just raised your rifle and shot.  If he was looking your way, he saw you."

Todd took one shot and missed.. 

Dad fired one shot the whole trip and took down this bull.  None too soon, because four months later cancer took down Dad.  Needless to say, I'm extremely glad I didn't wait "one more year" to go elk hunting.

Todd and I drew antlerless there last year and again this year.  Last year was tag soup - we never even saw an elk.  Smelled one the very last day but that was it.  Hopefully we'll have better luck this year (and will do a better job of scouting alternative locations in case the elk aren't there when we are again).

[trophyhunt]

Cool story, except the part about your dad, sorry.  Four months is incredibly fast, glad he was successful! My friend has the rifle tag this year and is moving to Oregon in 3 or 4 years, he's almost done with Washington.  I hope he can fill his tag.