WA Norway Pass ML Hunt Experiences?

[Dark2Dark]

Greetings, all! I am new to this board, but not new to many of the other boards in the region. I know the new guy springing right in and asking questions about special hunts is not always that well-received, but I am excited about drawing this tag and trying to gather all the information I can before the big week is here.

I have already reserved a couple campsites in the unit for the season, and my preliminary plan is come in via Coldwater Lake. I understand the country is steep and tough hiking and plan to be in there with a few guys- all of us in pretty good shape. I will be scouting it between now and then getting a feel for the area, but figured there might be some folks on here with first-hand experiences that the would be willing to share.

I look forward to spending some time around here swapping stories and learning and helping out!

Thanks for any help. D2D

[X-Force]

If you search the forum you will find most of the answers you are looking for. IMO treat it like an OIL, awesome country, screaming bulls, can’t beat it. It’s not a record book type unit but their is a solid population of 5 and 6 point bulls.

[Dark2Dark]

Thanks, X-Force. I did dig through the old posts and found a lot of info from you and others, that was helpful. I am just excited and figured I would see if anyone else might chime in with some pointers.

[bowhntr]

I think your Cold Water lake approach is a solid idea (by boat that is). Looks like a heck of hike up the ridge once you land your boat though unless you can find them low.  That is a looooong trip on a trolling motor though especially if choppy. I wouldn’t attempt that without a backup battery onboard. 

[Edminsterquality]

I drew the muzzleloader cow tag for that unit. Plan on boating up the lake then hunt the lower part of the unit.  Had the bull tag in 2015 awesome hunt. No big bulls in the area but lots of legal bulls

[Dark2Dark]

I think your Cold Water lake approach is a solid idea (by boat that is). Looks like a heck of hike up the ridge once you land your boat though unless you can find them low.  That is a looooong trip on a trolling motor though especially if choppy. I wouldn’t attempt that without a backup battery onboard. 

The good news is, I work for a boat dealership, so I will probably go in with a pretty substantial battery/troller setup. Maybe even a solar panel charger!

I appreciate the insight. :-)

[Dark2Dark]

I drew the muzzleloader cow tag for that unit. Plan on boating up the lake then hunt the lower part of the unit.  Had the bull tag in 2015 awesome hunt. No big bulls in the area but lots of legal bulls

Do you have the same date range tag? 9-15?  Sounds like maybe we should collaborate a little if so!

[HillHound]

Careful if you have to leave your meat  to go back for pack boards. We usually try to Drape our sweatiest nastiest shirt or socks that we have with us on the animals to try to keep a human scent in the area.I was up a few years ago helping pack out a friends Cow elk.  We had seen another Hunter who was also successful that was hiking out along the lake while we were on the boat headed back in. Had to make two trips as the electric motor didn’t want to push two guys a whole elk and all our gear. As we got back up we saw where the other hunter said he had his down we pulled up the binos and Yep there it is right on the hillside with a big black wolf standing on top of it eating away. Never did run back in to that guy to see how much he  had left when he got back to it.

[HntnFsh]

Careful if you have to leave your meat  to go back for pack boards. We usually try to Drape our sweatiest nastiest shirt or socks that we have with us on the animals to try to keep a human scent in the area.I was up a few years ago helping pack out a friends Cow elk.  We had seen another Hunter who was also successful that was hiking out along the lake while we were on the boat headed back in. Had to make two trips as the electric motor didn’t want to push two guys a whole elk and all our gear. As we got back up we saw where the other hunter said he had his down we pulled up the binos and Yep there it is right on the hillside with a big black wolf standing on top of it eating away. Never did run back in to that guy to see how much he  had left when he got back to it.

Never happened! Impossible! No wolves in the area! Just ask WDFW! 
That absolutely sucks!

[bowhntr]

I think your Cold Water lake approach is a solid idea (by boat that is). Looks like a heck of hike up the ridge once you land your boat though unless you can find them low.  That is a looooong trip on a trolling motor though especially if choppy. I wouldn’t attempt that without a backup battery onboard. 

The good news is, I work for a boat dealership, so I will probably go in with a pretty substantial battery/troller setup. Maybe even a solar panel charger!

I appreciate the insight. :-)

Sounds like you have the boat stuff covered then.Don’t forget to post a pic on this thread after the hunt. I love seeing what kind of bulls come out of there.  Best of luck and enjoy the hunt.

[NWCoho]

Well leave a couple for us.  We will be right behind you we have the Whittier bull tag and a Norway Cow.  I did hear there was a slide on the trail between the coldwater and Snow just not sure where yet.

[jbeaumont21]

PM sent

[Edminsterquality]

Was up at snow lake over the weekend.  Lots of elk. Quite a trip up off the lake but definitely need help packing.  I have the ml cow tag. Would be interested in a joint effort

[jbeaumont21]

Getting close to go time. Been doing any scouting? Good luck and enjoy every minute of your hunt