Observatory Archery Quality Elk

[DeathMarch]

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to start a thread for those of you who drew an archery tag for observatory. I am familiar with the lower areas of the unit and have seen some nice bulls in there. I plan on going up there this weekend to hang some game cameras and get started scouted.

Please feel free to PM me if you have a tag and we can share some information on what areas we are seeing elk in. That way we can pattern them. No reason why we all cant be successful.

I'll post some of my trail cam pictures in here the coming weeks.

If anyone has trail cam or harvest pictures from years past, please post them on here. I would love to see them.

Good luck to everyone!

[coachcw]

my avitar

[JKEEN33]

Do you have the tag too? Which unit are you hanging cameras in? I have the tag. Have cameras in Manastash. I have several elk on the cameras, but you never know where they will be in September.

[coachcw]

One thing I will say is guys make two mistakes in hunting cameras . First they hang them in easy to get to locations , once they get pressure they drop into the crap . Second is if you see a bachelor  group of bulls expect them to move up or atleast break apart come season. One year only I killed a bull out of a bachelor  group and it was a really hot year like upper 90 s the bulls where still bunched  up . I know a spot in 340  that all ways holdo a bull but is a tough spot to kill one. 

[DeathMarch]

Yeah I finally drew a tag. First time in 12 years. I am pumped to get in the woods with my dad and good buddies. I'll be putting my cameras in the manastash unit in the bottom and in the top as well. I agree with you coachcw. where we see them now is not where they will take cover once the pressure sets in. I am physically capable and more then willing to go deep into the thick nasty stuff. I plan to familiarize myself with umtanum over the next month as well. Any recommendations to the two units is well appreciated.

Thanks for the insight

Jkeen, glad to hear you drew too. Let's keep in touch

[DeathMarch]

Coachcw, awesome avatar pic. That's what it is all about.  What a beast.

[coachcw]

Just a old bull that liked sage . (archery bull )

[Gringo31]

No reason why we all cant be successful.

I love the positive outlook but just a reminder that last year there were only 12 successful archery tag holders in a unit that gave out 133 tags.  The odds are against you.  One of the successful tag holders shot a spike and one a 3 pt. 

[ffbowhunter]

No reason why we all cant be successful.

I love the positive outlook but just a reminder that last year there were only 12 successful archery tag holders in a unit that gave out 133 tags.  The odds are against you.  One of the successful tag holders shot a spike and one a 3 pt.

I guess I'm an optimist...my father in law got a decent bull and we were in elk with some nice Bulls everyday towards the end of the season. There were no hunters either, most likely due to them driving right past the area headed to the top.

[coachcw]

Ten percent kill ninety percent so those numbers line up. I have never hunted that unit for a season and  not killed or had opputtunitys.

[PlateauNDN]

Ten percent kill ninety percent so those numbers line up. I have never hunted that unit for a season and  not killed or had opputtunitys.

Pics or it didn't happen. 

[coachcw]

Right , Sorry  the Indians shot all the elk there .....

[MADMAX]

Son in law has the tag
we are scouting it and I think the 340 end of its a better choice IMO
couldnt find much water in umtaneum

[longrangekiller]

My wife drew the tag

I'm running 8 cameras right now got one good bull so far I'm gonna try keeping a eye on should be a good hunt. Going to add another one to the mix really soon


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[SticknString]

I drew this tag for 2016 as well.  Thankfully just uprooted and moved my family to Ellensburg which should make things a bit easier come September.  Have had the tag before and been in the elk but still haven't put a bull in the dirt.  Looking forward to spending a fair amount of time in the woods and hoping to make it happen!!!  Been hunting the Manashtash for more than 10 years now and want to kill a decent 6 point in this unit.  Good luck to everyone else that has the tag!

-Andrew