Mt Whittier Bull tag

[levigarrett101]

I drew it this year. Any information about the area would be greatly appreciated. I know its rough country and I am ok with that. I have been hunting the back country for years now and am very excited about this tag. Was curious in the quality of animals and other attributes of the area.

[eastfork]

Dang. You have never been there yet you applied for this tag. Amazing. What do you expect to shoot? Let start with that question. Second question, what made you decide to apply for this hunt? I assume you have little to experience in this unit.  I wish you luck, but I highly suggest you start burning up some fuel. Once you have been there pm me.

[X-Force]

Good luck Levi.

I drew Norway Pass Muzzleloader Bull. Ill be in there 10/7-10/15... it gives me a couple days to scout and hopefully give me a plan.

You will need to register for your camp site

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/Mount-Margaret-Backcountry/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=detail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=111240

Its not a big area but its big country. From what people have told me 5 points are common and 6 points are hard to come by. I wouldn't expect anything giant but lots of elk and lots of work.

[2MANY]

Take some Redman Levi.

[kentrek]

What weapon ? It's a pretty small unit so even if you have been there a hundred time a youd still end up hunting the same area.

[CNELK]

Congratulations on your draw! Should be super fun hunt I have spent a lot of time back in that country and there is no shortage of elk. You will see plenty of bulls mostly 5 points from my experience. That hunt is truly weather dependent it can get down right nasty during certain times of the year, so plan wisely. Good luck and have fun!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[chukar hunter]

Did you draw the Archery or Muzzleloader Bull Tag?  Looks like two quality tags have opportunity before the bull tags open up. 

[High Climber]

Good luck Levi.

I drew Norway Pass Muzzleloader Bull. Ill be in there 10/7-10/15... it gives me a couple days to scout and hopefully give me a plan.

You will need to register for your camp site

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/Mount-Margaret-Backcountry/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=detail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=111240

Its not a big area but its big country. From what people have told me 5 points are common and 6 points are hard to come by. I wouldn't expect anything giant but lots of elk and lots of work.

Just an FYI, there is a lot of guys that do not use those designated camp sites.

[levigarrett101]

I drew the archery. Again I will say I know its rough country and I am excited for that. I don't think I need to explain to anyone why. Challenges are what make us great hunters. Last year I shot a 6x6 in a any elk unit where there wasn't "suppose" to be elk.  I like finding the ones that people haven't seen! So please, keep your criticism and negativity to your lonely selves. Thank you to others who have good input and I look forward to keeping in touch through this post.

[PolarBear]

Take a canoe

[NWCoho]

I have hunted this area several times.  In the past Whittier tag holders will get a camp spot assigned (this will come in the package) usually part way up the trail headed towards snow lake. Xforce Norway tag holders will have to reserve one or find a spot back off the trail.  No fires unless something has change or your out off the Monument area.  The weather is a big factor.  Few years back a hunt died in this area.  Read luvmystang67 post on upper smith creek hunt he had great weather.  It can rain then the fog will get so thick you can't see.  Then there is the heat which bring out the black flies.  The heat will be an issue when you kill your animals be prepared or you will waste the meet.  Use good game bags if you bring the wal-mart ones that look like cheese cloth you will have fly egg in 30 mins.  As others have posted this a brutal pack out plan on hours.  Took a bull out of snow lake 4 guys 8 hours then had to go back and get camp.  I have packed out at night on the major trails but there are some very bad spots but can be done.  The 214 trail is one bad trail I would never hike that at night you will come to a rock it says Goat trail and that is what it is with 200 foot drops.  Never have had issues with the cats but they're there and they will follow you. Only one issue with a bear and it was over the elk meat.  Just hit the trails and start spotting.  Best of luck can't wait to see some Pic's.

[levigarrett101]

They designate you a campsite? That whole system is dumb..... Never once in all my years have I had to reserve a campsite in the wilderness.... hahahaha ya ok....

[X-Force]

They designate you a campsite? That whole system is dumb..... Never once in all my years have I had to reserve a campsite in the wilderness.... hahahaha ya ok....

The wilderness has to be protected... It can be loved to death.

Ive had rafting permits, camp permits, hiking permits. The areas that have them need them. Some of the best are draw only.

[NWCoho]

They designate you a campsite? That whole system is dumb..... Never once in all my years have I had to reserve a campsite in the wilderness.... hahahaha ya ok....

They're doing you a Favor:chuckle: People will still be hiking that area and camp sites can be hard to get.  Its better than hiking every day from Panhandle lake or out of the shovel lake hole. 

[levigarrett101]

You actually think people don't bend that rule and camp of the trail...? come on... your thinking like them if you know what I mean by that. lol

[grade-creek-rd]

Guys are giving you good advice, from those that have been in the unit, both for hunting and for recreation...just remember, you are asking for info, take it or leave it, but camping off trail without a permit can lead you to a big fine, after all, everyone has a camera/video recorder with them with cell phones nowadays, and there are some very extreme environmentalist who visit this part of the monument who will do whatever they can to get a hunter into trouble. Keep in mind, this is the Feds, not WDFW, DNR or a country Sheriff, a ticket will land you in federal court, either in Tacoma or Portland, either way it's a long days drive from Yakima and not worth it (and their threshold for issuing the ticket is way lower than a speeding ticket from a Trooper...a photo of you and your tent not in your designated camp spot is all that is needed).

Grade

[cbond3318]

You actually think people don't bend that rule and camp of the trail...? come on... your thinking like them if you know what I mean by that. lol

Don't take a great oppurtunity only to be "that guy".  Do your part as a responsible public land owner. It's really not that big of a deal.

[Greg Mullins]

I’ve hiked it but never hunted it. One thing I can say is get some good boots . Good luck and congrats

[spottedhand]

I had the muzzy bull tag back in 2010. It was a awesome hunt with multiple stalks about halfway approx. 3 miles in to Mt whittier.  I finally settled on a decent 5x at 13yds. We used my sons 16ft jon boat to cross cold water lake several times while scouting (Cuts out miles walking) and even took a helicopter tour to get a better view of a big 6x we spotted but being on a new hip he was out of my reach in the big canyon opposite of the cold water trail. As I said, awesome hunt. The final pack out put us in the boat just at dark. Lake was glass with the moon shimmering across the bow. Of course with 4 guys, gear and bull we were seeing about 3" of freeboard. Would do it all over again even though age has caught up to me. The only bad part was lost camera with all the pictures somewhere along the trail along with a brand-new sleeping bag. Good luck!

[X-Force]

I had the muzzy bull tag back in 2010. It was a awesome hunt with multiple stalks about halfway approx. 3 miles in to Mt whittier.  I finally settled on a decent 5x at 13yds. We used my sons 16ft jon boat to cross cold water lake several times while scouting (Cuts out miles walking) and even took a helicopter tour to get a better view of a big 6x we spotted but being on a new hip he was out of my reach in the big canyon opposite of the cold water trail. As I said, awesome hunt. The final pack out put us in the boat just at dark. Lake was glass with the moon shimmering across the bow. Of course with 4 guys, gear and bull we were seeing about 3" of freeboard. Would do it all over again even though age has caught up to me. The only bad part was lost camera with all the pictures somewhere along the trail along with a brand-new sleeping bag. Good luck!

Sounds epic.

That sucks about the camera.

[brandon223]

Well did you find a bull to shoot ?

[levigarrett101]

a few...

[levigarrett101]

i guess it wont let me add pictures