Drew East Wenaha

[nwhunter]

You have to be pretty hard core and love roughing it and be in tremendous shape to backpack hunt the east wenaha for more than 5-6 days. The likelihood of drawing the tag again is minimal so I would recommend a drop camp with a wall tent to enjoy that part of your hunt also. You can always spike out from there if you want to but getting a good night sleep and descent food leads to being able to stay in there longer. Maybe you get lucky and kill a bull in a few days but holding out for a big one might drag the hunt on for a while and crawling in a spike camp and eating mountain house for 2 weeks in that country would be tough. Do your research before you pick an outfitter if you go that route. There are elk all over but way more in parts of the unit . Go scout it out. Enjoy your hunt, lots of highs and lows in that country.

[Brewha]

You have to be pretty hard core and love roughing it and be in tremendous shape to backpack hunt the east wenaha for more than 5-6 days. The likelihood of drawing the tag again is minimal so I would recommend a drop camp with a wall tent to enjoy that part of your hunt also. You can always spike out from there if you want to but getting a good night sleep and descent food leads to being able to stay in there longer. Maybe you get lucky and kill a bull in a few days but holding out for a big one might drag the hunt on for a while and crawling in a spike camp and eating mountain house for 2 weeks in that country would be tough. Do your research before you pick an outfitter if you go that route. There are elk all over but way more in parts of the unit . Go scout it out. Enjoy your hunt, lots of highs and lows in that country.

I fly into Idaho every year and spike out from the runway from 2-5 days it is rugged country so im figuring it will be the same minus a LOT more weight packing an elk out. I definetly plan out many scouting trips


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[Branden]

I would use a packer once you get a bull down. That's the hard part. But again a drop camp limits you. Also last I checked the drop camps were 7 day hunts. I'm sure you could make it the whole season for more money.

We hunted from the eastside to the westside of the unit. It was easier to hike out and hike back in then it would have been to hike across the unit then hike back.

I think it depends on what you want out of the hunt. Best chance to kill a big bull or a wilderness experience with horses and wall tent.

[autodink13]

Brewha do u have experience with rutting elk?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I would pack in a block target on your scouting trips and practice shooting at the steep angles and while your huffing and puffing from hiking. Good luck!!!!!

[Brewha]

I had a rifle tag in 2010. We did it all off of our backs and went 6 miles in. From there we hunted a couple more miles in. If I had to do it over again Mtncook would have gotten a call for sure. I was in very good shape but that county is very unforgiving. Some of the most amazing country the state has to offer. The problem is when you find a bull he might be a mile away but on foot he might be 4 big ugly miles away. 

I can't remember for sure but I think you said you have an archery tag so a lot of problems I had you won't. Like a foot of snow the first night. Fog and constant visibility issues. Archery season you have longer days, bugling elk and less snow. Like the others said you have to be in shape and don't take the country lightly or you will never forgive yourself. Ask me if you need anything. I don't know every inch like some others do but I did get to know the area I went. Like I said it was in 2010.

Do you have mtncook phone number


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[Deer slayer]

509-751-6555. That was back in 2010. He is also on here so send him a PM if that number doesn't work anymore.

[Brewha]

You have to be pretty hard core and love roughing it and be in tremendous shape to backpack hunt the east wenaha for more than 5-6 days. The likelihood of drawing the tag again is minimal so I would recommend a drop camp with a wall tent to enjoy that part of your hunt also. You can always spike out from there if you want to but getting a good night sleep and descent food leads to being able to stay in there longer. Maybe you get lucky and kill a bull in a few days but holding out for a big one might drag the hunt on for a while and crawling in a spike camp and eating mountain house for 2 weeks in that country would be tough. Do your research before you pick an outfitter if you go that route. There are elk all over but way more in parts of the unit . Go scout it out. Enjoy your hunt, lots of highs and lows in that country.

Thanks for the advice. Definitely planning on going and doing some scouting


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[Brewha]

509-751-6555. That was back in 2010. He is also on here so send him a PM if that number doesn't work anymore.

Thanks. I called and talked to him. Sounds like a good guy


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[Deer slayer]

Cool. Let me know if you need anything more. I can't stress the importance of having a pack train to get the elk out. Without you will need a small army that is willing to stick it out for some brutal area.

[E-Town Hunter]

I agree.....horses to pack out your animal is a must. If you do not have access to stock, at the very least, see if Mt. Cook can pack your animal out for you. Just getting to a bull and getting one down in that country is pretty hard core hunting if you're planning on packing in on foot. Congrats on the great tag!

[dscubame]

Big Big Big country.  Good skills to you.

We would welcome updates on your hunt for sure.

[BowhunterPNW]

That is a quality elk hunt.  It is rugged country though.  I would serious consider contacting Dave Waldron of Western Life Outfitters.  He is a great guy and knows the unit well.  Plus the quality of the hunt will be multiplied exponentially by having a nice comfortable camp.  I would encourage you to get into good shape as the county is steep and deep.  Last year's fire did a lot of good and should attract more elk to that unit due to the additional food source created by the fire.  Dave can be contacted at 509-751-6555.
Good Luck, practice a lot and put on the miles. 

[2MANY]

Dave is a good dude and would help make it a trip to remember.

[2MANY]

"You have to be pretty hard core and love roughing it and be in tremendous shape to backpack hunt the east wenaha for more than 5-6 days. The likelihood of drawing the tag again is minimal so I would recommend a drop camp with a wall tent to enjoy that part of your hunt also. You can always spike out from there if you want to but getting a good night sleep and descent food leads to being able to stay in there longer. Maybe you get lucky and kill a bull in a few days but holding out for a big one might drag the hunt on for a while and crawling in a spike camp and eating mountain house for 2 weeks in that country would be tough. Do your research before you pick an outfitter if you go that route. There are elk all over but way more in parts of the unit . Go scout it out. Enjoy your hunt, lots of highs and lows in that country"

Read this as many times as it takes until you get it right.
I think this individual may know what he is talking about.