elk hunting

[elksnout]

Anyone out there ever draw and hunt the Mt Adams Wilderness Hunt ? I think that I've aquired ten points so far. Alot of what I've heard about the Margret and Toutle is that the reprod is thick and a guy is pretty much locked out. If I have to hike in anyways I was thinking maybe putting in for the Adams tag and maybe have some bulls still talking. At least you would be in some beautiful country instead of head high second growth. I know guys who have drawn those tags { Margret/ Toutle } and have gotten bulls but nothing real big which surprises me. They see lots of elk but you know after waiting all those years to draw a hunter doesn't want fill your tag early on a rag horn. Then after hunting all week and not seeing the big guy they end up shooting a small bull you would expect to get on a general hunt. You would think they are there. Do they move out after the rut ? Has it grown up so you can't see much anymore ? The Margret has been the only hunt I put in for so I am starting to second guess my choice. Any thoughts from the guys that have been there, done that ?

[ponyboy156]

Me and my old man went to the Toutle 2 years ago as he drew out. He had 9 points saved to get that. He filled his tag on about the smallest 3 pointer you've ever seen after five days of hunting. We were in elk every day and it was a fun hunt, but we saw no big bulls. Our hunt isn't a good gauge because he just had back surgery a month before the hunt and couldn't walk more than a quarter mile from the truck. We were to the point that we would have taken a spike. We didn't see anything bigger than a 5 point taken in that area that year. Still good times, no complaints and access out of the Toutle Lake area wasn't an issue. Still LOTS of open roads and clearcuts. My father and I still apply for the hunt. Looks like it would be an interesting place to hunt in the rut for sure.

[MLBowhunting]

there are a ton of big bull in the mar and the toutle the prob is there are so many bulls that its hard to get in on a nice bull but in the mar you will have a lot of raghorns all around you everywhere you go

[Turkeyman]

I have two friends that have drawn the MT. Adams tag. October 1st. to the 10th. they killed big bulls 310 to 350 bulls. You will have a hard time finding bulls like that in the margret and toutle.

[nwhunter]

Wait until after the new regs come out and if they stick to the proposed plan there will be some rifle rut tags Sept 21-25 in a lot of units on both sides of the state that will be worth ten points. nwhunter

[elksnout]

Thanks, guys. These responses fall in line with what I've heard lately. The Margret and Toutle will show you elk for sure and that always makes for a better hunt when your'e into animals. A guy could hunt all week in Adams and not see much. You guys know how it can go some years. But you sure would see some nice country. Now that I think about it, couldn't you still hunt the general season too if you struck out on the Adams tag ?

[Little John]

I would not put in for the margret tag if you want a big bull. I spend allot of time in there yote hunting and screwing around with the bulls after the archery season is over. If you can find a 6 point it will be a crowned 6. I see 50 4 and 5 points for every one 6 point. Personally I've only seen 3 or 4 320 bulls ever. I'm sure they are there but not were i'm at. I've talked my dad out of putting in for it.

[elksnout]

If there are that many 4 and 5 point bulls running about you would think there would be the sixes and seven's too. Archers, muzzle loaders and modern are all permit only. I'am sure poachers get some and winter kill as well. But surely a percentage of those bulls you are seeing live to see another year. Where do they go ?? Do they get pushed up into Loowit ??

[Basket Rack]

Nothing scientific here just my thoughts but it takes good genetics and feed to grow bigger bulls and feed or lack of is a big issue right now in the Margaret with all the thick reprod.  The elk  probably have more roosevelt blood in them too than the elk farther east around Adams that tend to grow larger horns on average. As little jon said there are a few bigger bulls up there in the Margaret but you have got to let alot of the smaller ones walk to find a larger bull so you better have alot of time to put in if you draw.

[Little John]

My hunting portner drew an archery margret tag 2 years ago. he's retired and spent a ton of time scouting it. And i did as well. We saw better bulls in our regular area. He never hunted it, believe it or not. never saw anything big enough to get excited about. He did kill a nice 6x6 in our regular area though. Luckily most of the Margret was closed for fire danger and he got his points back
Like Basket said no genetics or feed. If you go up there in late sept you'll see allot of 3 1/2 year old bulls breading cows.

[elksnout]

I understand what you guys are saying. It takes years to grow em big. Genetics plays a big part I'am sure. Feed shouldn't have as much I wouldn't think. The habitat will only allow so many animals, good or bad feed. But still I ask : The bulls have the chance there to grow old or older than bulls in areas that do not have limits on numbers of hunters. Even with poor feed you would think that after 5 or 6 years the antlers would develop. They can't just be reaching 3 1/2 years old and disappearing. Anyway, I've about beat this to death. Thanks for all the comments. Be safe.

[Bigshooter]

I have spent a lot of time in the Margret and the Toutle.  I don't know why it is but I have only seen a couple of bulls that were even close to 300".  My dad and I drew toutle tags in 04.  My dad killed a small 4x4.  I hunted all but 2 days, and ate my tag.  The biggest bull I saw was a 270" 5x5.  Wasn't able to get on him for a shot.  I wouldn't waste more than a couple of points on either of the units.  Unless you just want to see a lot of elk.  Finding a 6x6 in the archery season isn't that hard but it will most likely be crowned on top.  And it will not score well.  Top end bulls in both units are 250" - 285".  Why the Margret is so hard to draw really amazes me.  It is the most overrated unit on the west side of the mtns. 

[heavy hauler]

the margeret is full of bulls....    90%  are 5 point  or smaller , 9%  are cheater 6 points and 1% is  big bulls.  you have to look at alot of elk to see 1 big boy.  100%  of my stats are made up

[Basket Rack]

Why the Margret is so hard to draw really amazes me.  It is the most overrated unit on the west side of the mtns. 

That has always amazed me too.  I think it gets back to alot of guys just do not kill many elk and that is a good area to kill a branch bull. There may not be a bunch of monster bulls down there in either unit but most guys I know that have gotten drawn for either unit and tag that typical 5 point are more than happy.