Blue Mountain Bull Tags

[CJ-5]

Ok, im sure there will be more posts about this topic, but as far as i know i am the first posting about the blue mountains.  There are a few proposed rifle rut tags that i saw in the rules.  I live in roosevelt country and know nothing about the blues other than what i have seen and read on here.   My question is, if you had to choose between Dayton, Wenaha West, East, and Tucannon, for the four choices, how would you rank them?  I have 14 points and am thinking about finally applying for one of those tags.  I think i have a decent chance of drawing and if i do apply, want to get it right.  I have started researching a little bit and just thought i would get some opinions from people on here.  PM me if you dont want to post anything up for all to see.  Thanks alot! 

[andrew_12gauge]

there are probably 3000 or more other guys out there who think that they have a good shot at drawing with their 14 points too washingtons system sucks a big one

[CJ-5]

This has nothing to do with Washington's drawing system. I am not banking on drawing by any means, but there is nothing wrong with being optomistic. 

[heavy hauler]

i have a bunch of points also. i am applying there(the blues), who knows.i know if i dont apply i will never draw.kinda like huntin.   i have no idea which unit in the blues to apply for.  good luck.

[Pathfinder101]

Any of those units could produce the bull of a lifetime.  Good luck.

[nwhunter]

All of them are great tags. Wenaha east is tough if you don't have pack animals or you don't want to pay an outfitter to get you in there. Other than that if you draw the tag you will have a blast. nwhunter

[Slayock]

If it was up to me I would put the Wenaha number one.  There are only two camps that I know of that go in every year and they are in the 2nd and 1st creek drainages.  There is and outfitter by the name of Dave Waldron that runs out of the tucannon that could take you into the 3rd creek area.  It is a very large draw that not many people hunt anymore.  Dave drew a tag two years ago and shot a 330 class bull and sad he had seen bigger bulls when he was packing other people in during deer season.  En exagerated guess would be that there wont be more than 30 people in the whole wenaha area.  My cousins hunt in there and they have seen more big bulls in the last few years than ever.  Another option you didnt mention is the Watershed.  They only allow around 40 tags and thats a big area with big critters.

[CJ-5]

Hey thanks alot for the information guys, i really appreciate it! 

[Pathfinder101]

If it was up to me I would put the Wenaha number one.  There are only two camps that I know of that go in every year and they are in the 2nd and 1st creek drainages.  There is and outfitter by the name of Dave Waldron that runs out of the tucannon that could take you into the 3rd creek area.  It is a very large draw that not many people hunt anymore.  Dave drew a tag two years ago and shot a 330 class bull and sad he had seen bigger bulls when he was packing other people in during deer season.  En exagerated guess would be that there wont be more than 30 people in the whole wenaha area.  My cousins hunt in there and they have seen more big bulls in the last few years than ever.  Another option you didnt mention is the Watershed.  They only allow around 40 tags and thats a big area with big critters.

 

Oh, I forgot about the Watershed.  I quit putting in for that tag when I started hunting archery.  I know several guys who have pulled big bulls out of the 'shed.  Much better chances of being drawn...

[nwhunter]

I agree with the post on how big the wenaha is and people are spread out especially the east wenaha. No doubt Dave can put you in a great spot back in there but its gonna cost ya. His rates are as fair if not better than most but my post was just reminding people that to really hunt the east wenaha you need pack animals or be willing to pay someone a couple grand to get you in there and your elk out. I guided for Dave this last fall and no doubt he can put you where the elk are and provide a nice drop camp too if needed. I think the original question was about the new proposed rifle rut tags and since there will only be one per unit you will defenitely have the country to yourself. Good luck in the draw. nwhunter

[CJ-5]

Yeah luck is what i will need on the draw!  Ive looked at some maps and that Wenaha East does look pretty rugged and no road access.  Would be fun country to spend some time in. I have heard of the watershed and the odds would be alot better to draw. I like the fact that it is closed too except for just permits.  Doubt those animals get much pressure in there.

[MichaelJ]

I love the blues...  I know of one 370 ish ( I say 'ish' because it P&Y'd at 368 but SCI scored at 372... lol) bull and one 380 bull that were taken out of there this year....     

Michael

[Pathfinder101]

I'll second what nwhunter says about the Wenaha and the neccessity of horses.  I deer hunted it on foot a few years ago.  By the middle of opening day it was apparent that if we shot anything, it was going to take us days to get it out on foot.  It is a wilderness area so there are NO roads.  Beautiful, rugged country.  Be ready though.  When I came back 4 days later my wife swears I lost 10+ lbs...