Peaches - Planning through the hunt

[bowhunterforever]

Cross #1 off the list, I bought BLM and the Sheriff's office map plus printed the GMU map from WDFW.  I also have the GMU boundaries on Google Earth.  That should get me started at least.
How do you get gmu boundaries on google earth? Congrats drawing a tag Good luck

Scroll down to the 5th post and you'll find the file.  Totally easy.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=202757.0

thanks

[White Pass Outfitters]

PM me I can send you in the right direction !
Congrats on a great draw !!!
Think 320++ for your Bull.

[Brena.Hunter]

Congrats! My hunting partners and I also drew Peaches Any Bull, modern firearm. Two seperate parties and we were all drawn! And my cousins drew Goose Prairie. That's 8 Any Bull tags in camp! Could not be more pumped! Now to find where the monsters are hiding!

[Wingin it]

7 points, ha! Congrats on a great tag! It's big country and you have a great chance at finding a monster.

[scudmaster]

I was able to draw the Muzzy tag with 9 points.  Want to do a wilderness hunt.  If anyone had done this hunt, I would love to pick your brain.  Good luck to all, no matter what you drew.

[Stein]

Well, more help than I expected, thanks to all who replied.  I will get back to those that offered help, but I need to do some work myself so I at least know what questions to ask.

I'm using onXmaps for desk scouting and it wasn't too bad to slice and dice the two areas.  Man, there are a ton of trails around there and many are high traffic.  That makes things a bit easier even though there are not many truly remote areas.

At this point, I had considered several general logistical plans for the hunt.  It will likely be a solo hunt unless something changes.

1.  Base camp at either a campsite, town or public land in my wall tent with day trips into a scouted area.
2.  Mobile camp in the back of my truck.  This allows big moves mid-hunt easily and is the best way to cover the most area.
3.  Living out of the ruck, leaving the truck at the trailhead or wall tent.

I won't know for sure until I get several scouting trips in, but #3 is clearly in the lead.  My preference is 3, 1 then 2, but conditions will dictate.  I'm looking for an epic hunting experience.

One thing I haven't pondered in my relatively short hunting career is what I will be happy shooting?  In the past, if it was legal I shot it.  I did pass a couple of true dink antelope last year, but they were so small it wasn't much of a decision.  I don't want to get ahead of myself, but right now my thought is a simple mature 6x6 would be awesome. 

I'm equally excited about the camping/backpacking as I really don't get much of an excuse to do either of these with normal family and job responsibilities.  I did a ton of both growing up in Montana, but not so much since.  This gives me the perfect reason to block of 10 + days and really enjoy the experience.

My delusion of not needing gear is getting corrected, I remember that I need a better set of game bags and likely a spotting scope.  Checking ElkNut's site, it looks like I need to save $600 - $1,000 plus a tripod.  That's a big investment that I might not use much in the future, but we'll see how necessary it is during the scouting trips.

The good news is the unit is only a bit over 2 hours from my house, so I should have good opportunities this summer.

Finally, I have a good training plan starting to take shape.  I am into Goruck events and they are about perfect for getting me into hunting shape.  Seattle has a big event in September, a great peaking event that gives me just enough time to recover and then hit it hard.  I have one other event mid-July and then it will be ruck focused training with as many hills as I can come up with.

I'm basically using the David Goggins plan (check him out if you don't know who he is) - "I chose the path of most resistance - talent not required."  I'm not a great elk hunter, but I am willing and able to outwork most and love to learn.  I believe that will be enough to at least make a great experience.

[Magnum_Willys]

Epic = Base camp, and maybe invite a couple huntwa guys for the first couple days too or to scout the two days before the season.     Lotsa guys willing to help to piggyback on your adventure which is a good thing for all. 

I'll be helping buddies in the Goose.  Good Luck !

[Roperfive88]

My buddy drew a couple years ago and the one scouting trip I went on there was minimal use for my spotting scope lots of timber but like I said only went once.

[Reidus]

I'd be thinking about how you're going to get a bull packed out. Especially if you're going solo. Easy to hike 5-10 miles in by yourself, but if you shoot something how are you going to ge it out?  Just something to keep in mind as you're scouting and hunting. 

I use 200 thread pillow cases from walmart for game bags. They're tough, hold plenty of meat and cost about $12 for 4.

Spotting scope is nice if you really want to inspect the horns but not really necessary for finding elk.

[scudmaster]

@Stein, another idea is to try a tripod for your binos.  taking that movement out of them really reduces (not eliminate) the spotting scope.  Maybe easier on the budget if you have to choose. 

[Wingin it]

I have a set of 12x50's and they are awesome on the tripod.

[scoutdog346]

I was able to draw the Muzzy tag with 9 points.  Want to do a wilderness hunt.  If anyone had done this hunt, I would love to pick your brain.  Good luck to all, no matter what you drew.

with that tag u don't need to go i to the wildernes to get a 330+ bull but a
good true wilderness hunt that u can get the meat out fast enough with out horses: start at cement basin.  u get there by east bound hw 410 about 10min after u reach the summit of Chinook Pass and start to descend on the left hand side you'll see a blue sign "bear Gap" take that left follow that road as far as you can and hike straight up the hill fastest way to get there is just a bust brush beeline straight up. then u will see cement basin on your GPS or map. head that way.  on the way and a few miles past it up will find lots of good places to hunt. some times u will be competing with the Outfitters and guides but from my experience I've had them treat me with respect. About 13 years ago who i think was Chinook Pass Outfitters was up there with a few clients and they were very nice and respectful even gave us a few pointers.

[Brena.Hunter]

Hey guys. I've been hunting the 346 since I was a kid, but for whatever reason have never headed over to Norse Peak. I guess you tend to stay in the areas you know. But this is my first time drawing an Any Bull tag in Peaches, so I am wondering what people's opinion is regarding the Wilderness area. Do you reckon the chances of a decent bull are better by going deep into the Wilderness area? Or stick to the areas I already know? I should note, I'm not a road hunter. I go deep and hunt my tail off, but I don't want to waste this tag and I don't seem to come across the big boys in the areas I go. I've seen there are some outfitters that do drop camps, which I am contemplating. But just wanted to hear from others who have spent time in Norse Peak. Thanks in advance.

[deerlick]

I did a drop camp in Norse peak last year for the peaches bull tag. Found no elk in a week where we were. Came out and  Shot a bull first day out in an area I actually hunt.... would've been a lot cheaper and more comfortable to go with what we knew  all along.

[Brena.Hunter]

Thanks for the insight deerlick - I wondered if that might be the case. I am thinking maybe sticking to where I know and perhaps throwing a spike camp in Norse Peak for a night or two? I imagine the reason people are successful in Norse Peak is because they know it already, like I know the area I stick to.

I guess I'm just concerned because I am normally targeting spikes, so I'm not sure where the monsters are hiding!