White River muzzleloader bull elk

[Bob33]

I am researching the wisdom of applying for a White River muzzleloader bull elk permit this year. I’ve already been given some feedback by members, and I appreciate it. GMU 653 goes from Enumclaw up to the Cascade Crest near Crystal Mountain. It appears that the Clearwater Wilderness and portions of the Norse Peak Wilderness are in the GMU.

The season is October 6-12.

One concern I have is how physical access is in this GMU. I’m sadly reaching a point where I have to think about that. Obviously accessing the wilderness areas would require traveling some distances on foot or horseback.

If anyone is willing to share insights about the unit with me I would be grateful. For what it’s worth, my odds of drawing are low, if drawn I’m done applying, and I don’t plan to hunt general season there. It’s a one and done.

Thank you.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Get in shape! That's my advice its steep

[lewy]

Bob hit me up with a pm

[trophyhunt]

Man I love PM’s.   

[Duckslayer89]

Nuke thread

[trophyhunt]

Nuke thread

[zwickeyman]

 

PM me if you like. Been hunting it 48 years

[tgray]

Nuke thread

X2

[JoeE]

Nuke thread

X2

  x3

[Antlershed]

Make sure to research the fire closure area that is currently scheduled to last thru 2018.

[Russ McDonald]

Make sure to research the fire closure area that is currently scheduled to last thru 2018.

Where are you getting this info? 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[W_Ellison2011]

No elk left in white river unit... not worth you putting in for...

[Tbar]

Make sure to research the fire closure area that is currently scheduled to last thru 2018.

Fire closure was lifted last October.

[Antlershed]

Make sure to research the fire closure area that is currently scheduled to last thru 2018.

Where are you getting this info? 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Make sure to research the fire closure area that is currently scheduled to last thru 2018.

Fire closure was lifted last October.

This closure that was posted November 3rd says it is effective 10/30/2017 thru 12/31/2018 unless rescinded earlier.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5644/

[JimmyHoffa]

Places like to keep fire areas closed well after fire danger has passed.  The potential for mudslides and avalanches after fires is an issue in some areas, especially if the fire smoldered down into the roots sinking the ground that may have retained rocks/boulders.

[W_Ellison2011]

They need to open that area back up! I need to go look for a yogi up there come August!

[Skyvalhunter]

Don't end up with Bo Bo

[Russ McDonald]

Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie NF side is open.  They pulled the closure in March I believe.  Oka-Wen I heard they will pull theirs in May.

[W_Ellison2011]

I hunt bears on the north side of 410. My main dirt road, 72 rd, I go up to the trail is the beginning of the closed zone! NO BUENO!

[scoutdog346]

In some cases its easer to get to good spots of gmu 653 if u come from/start from gmu 346 side.  Go Highway 410 to little Naches Road Drive little Naches Road go until it hits dirt keep left until your GPS says you're pretty close to tr. 2000/PCT get out of your truck and B-Line bust brush through all the way until you hit the Pacific Crest Trail also you can hit tr 2000/PCT by way of the Louisiana saddle tr.  That's what i would do if i had that tag. Stay on the PCT and 346 will be on one side and 653 on the other.  Get on google earth to pin drop good spots, superimpose them to your gps then hike to the pin drops to determine if it looks good to hunt during the season aslo walk back and forth on the PCT  and u will see small Canyons  drop down the Canyons  plant some salt licks  to get the cows coming in  set up some trail cams.  It will blow ur mind how good gmu 653 is.That area is good as hell but its so hard to get the tag! It taks it takes a miracle to get selected for these tags even the NON-quality  bull tag will take a miracle. Go look at the point spread wdfw puts up and you will see how hard it really is to get selected and start thinking about the general season as your hunt.