Norway Pass Muzzy Permit

[X-Force]

Thanks for the info and Pm's they are appreciated.

Camp site is reserved for the season.

Right now its looking like ill have 1 "ok" packer... but beggars cant be choosers.

[furbearer365]

I hunted the last year it was still considered Margaret, and Margaret was a draw. I boated the lake and hunted myself. Although, after my bull was down, I called 5 buddies at 1 pm, they got to me at 10pm, then we were back to the Cold water parking lot at 8 am. That area is no joke if your not careful, and if all you end up with is 1 guy to help, I wouldn't temp yourself going in too deep. Hiking it is one thing, packing out elk and gear is a whole other beast. Guaranteed one of, if not the most beautiful hunts around. So have fun and be careful

[kerrdog]

I've  heard of people going across Coldwater Lake to get in.  Is the Norway pass trailhead on the other side an option?  It's obviously further but looks like maybe less elevation gain and better trails? 

[X-Force]

Both ways seem to be an option.

I haven’t been either yet.

[kerrdog]

Does anyone know if a game cart is allowed up there?  I was looking at the Honey Badger Wheel for getting meat out.

[furbearer365]

Im not saying that a game cart isn't allowed because im not sure, but if it was, I wouldn't waste my time with one.  There are short sections of the trail that will be possible with a cart, but then there are a lot that are freaky on foot, let alone hanging onto a cart loaded with elk.  Its a catch 22, because if you kill an elk in there far enough to want a cart, you will be in country that is not possible with a cart.  Look at the pic that ELKONTHERUN posted, not much a cart can do for you there!!!!!!!    IMO

[furbearer365]

Oh, and I came face to face with a cat about 15 minutes from the lake on the way out of one of my scouting weekends.  So my advice is not to walk 10 feet on that trail if you don't have protection 

[Ghost Hunter]

I've  heard of people going across Coldwater Lake to get in.  Is the Norway pass trailhead on the other side an option?  It's obviously further but looks like maybe less elevation gain and better trails? 

Internal combustion motors prohibited, so limited to paddling or electric.  I've seen some scary you tube videos when the wind picks up.  Nobody mentioned 'Hunters Trail' yet.  Cuts time off, but brutal with a loaded pack.  Norway Pass trailhead was easy for this old man.

[Bullkllr]

In Hunter's trail and out to Norway Pass Trailhead 

[BA Mongor]

A game cart for Norway Pass !
I literally spit up coffee laughing

Viable Options:

: Helicopter
: (3) Buddies & 2-Days
: Pack Mules ***Dependent on where you get it. But still a huge help for miles

[duckmen1]

Last year we went to take the hunters trail up it was a bit brushy to say the least. Over blow downs. Under blow downs. Pushing through brush getting soaked and very slippery. We finally said the heck with that. It's an easy trail if it was better maintained. For giggles we tried to go straight uphill off the hunters trail. Although it was an adventure I'd never do that again.lol
 
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.

Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.

The elk are there but you will earn it.

[furbearer365]

Last year we went to take the hunters trail up it was a bit brushy to say the least. Over blow downs. Under blow downs. Pushing through brush getting soaked and very slippery. We finally said the heck with that. It's an easy trail if it was better maintained. For giggles we tried to go straight uphill off the hunters trail. Although it was an adventure I'd never do that again.lol
 
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.

Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.

The elk are there but you will earn it.

I second all of this. My best advice to anyone with this tag is to go in with help, and don't take it lightly.  Be prepared for your worst case scenario. The weather will turn, and the country is not in your favor, it's in the elks. If you do go in from the lake, there is one trail in and out.  And the chances of killing your elk close to that one trail is pretty dang small, so you best get ready to climb over blow down after blow down. Can't wait to hear how it goes

[h2ofowlr]

Last year we went to take the hunters trail up it was a bit brushy to say the least. Over blow downs. Under blow downs. Pushing through brush getting soaked and very slippery. We finally said the heck with that. It's an easy trail if it was better maintained. For giggles we tried to go straight uphill off the hunters trail. Although it was an adventure I'd never do that again.lol
 
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.

Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.

The elk are there but you will earn it.

I second all of this. My best advice to anyone with this tag is to go in with help, and don't take it lightly.  Be prepared for your worst case scenario. The weather will turn, and the country is not in your favor, it's in the elks. If you do go in from the lake, there is one trail in and out.  And the chances of killing your elk close to that one trail is pretty dang small, so you best get ready to climb over blow down after blow down. Can't wait to hear how it goes

We had two tags for archery and didn't fill either one.  We did have a good opportunity on one, but just to far back.  It would have spoiled before we could have packed it out.  We made the ethical choice not to shoot it.  Just weren't able to get one close enough to where we could pack it out in a reasonable area.  Beautiful area, but brutal on the body.  I'm sure some of the guys that get animals in that area run into spoilage unless you bring in a crew to quickly pack it out.

[BA Mongor]

Very good H2o. Most wouldn't do that, and in the end waste most of the animal. It's hard enough to get your buck and camp out of there on your back, let alone a boned out elk. If you're prepared and have a solid game plan on how to get your bull out in a timely manner, then it can be an incredible hunt.

I can't tell you how many times over the past 20 years or better that I've been in there and ran out of food waiting for the weather to break. Or going to bed in 70 degrees temps and waking up to 3" snow. Or the intense lightning / thunder storms that roll in. I know I'll never forget the time I spent in there by myself or with my buddy. I always dreamed of hunting elk in there....Someday !

[X-Force]

Looking at it right now I plan on going up Coldwater Lake with a 17' boat and electric motor.

Boots on the ground scouting is up in the air until Nevada leftover results come out.

Lots of google earth, topo maps and searches for previous hunts.

Thank you to those who have pm'd me with info.