Observatory Elk Archery

[Dan-o]

Sounds like a good plan.       

[7mmfan]

I don't even remember where I found it. I was sent a link and haven't looked at it in a while.

[bigdub257]

I don't even remember where I found it. I was sent a link and haven't looked at it in a while.

Well if you run across it let me know if you would.  Didn't know that info was even available. I'll check with the WDFW also.

[MeetEaters]

Here is where i found the data: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/prospects

[tallcooljuan]

I had the Quality Rifle tag two years ago.  My partner and I both got nice bulls.  My advice from the Game Dept was concentrate on Manastash Lake and higher.  I hunted from Manastash Campground and higher on the Manastash Ridge side of the road.  We found both our bulls on different days in Keenan Meadows.  The elk were very vocal at last light and for a while after dark.  They were coming silently to calls during the daylight.
The ATVs tend to slow down when it's very dusty.  I saw absolutely none.  I camped at Riders Camp and could listen to bugles at night from camp.  I scouted the burn hard and that's where I was trying to focus.  There's water everywhere so I'm not sure waiting on water holes would have been a good tactic.  The elk stayed hidden in thick trees.  I was walking an average of 13 miles per day and blind calling to find them.  I finally realized they were coming in silent and I was patient enough.
Good Luck!

[MeetEaters]

Had another fellow hunter ping me about details so figured I should update this to share the wealth of info.

I spent 9 days hunting this area.

First day I spent on umtanum ridge and didnt see any sign of elk (gmu 340)
I moved over the gmu 342 north of clemans mountain where i spent the rest of the hunt.
I did not get any elk to respond to bugling, though I am a novice at this.
I did get a bachelor group of bulls to respond to some cow calls however.
I also got into a group of 15+ cows for about 1 hour with some getting as close as 10 yards, was really disappointed there was not a bull with them.  From my experience over the last few years of archery hunting elk in Washington is that the rut seems to come on in the later part of September.

it was a super fun trip and I found a cool shed but unfortunately did not fill my tag.

[mburrows]

Had another fellow hunter ping me about details so figured I should update this to share the wealth of info.

I spent 9 days hunting this area.

First day I spent on umtanum ridge and didnt see any sign of elk (gmu 340)
I moved over the gmu 342 north of clemans mountain where i spent the rest of the hunt.
I did not get any elk to respond to bugling, though I am a novice at this.
I did get a bachelor group of bulls to respond to some cow calls however.
I also got into a group of 15+ cows for about 1 hour with some getting as close as 10 yards, was really disappointed there was not a bull with them.  From my experience over the last few years of archery hunting elk in Washington is that the rut seems to come on in the later part of September.

it was a super fun trip and I found a cool shed but unfortunately did not fill my tag.

Honestly man im really glad you posted this. Nothing wrong with being new to hunting or a style of hunting/area and not harvesting an animals. Congrats on the good hunt, glad to hear you appreciated the opportunity and kudos to you for sticking it out 9-days.

[hughjorgan]

Where do you find the collared cow data?

For the past few years they have put that information in the hunting prospects in district 8. It is a map with dots of locations of cows...

Follow this link, scroll down to page 5 for Yakima units and page 6 for colockum

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02103/district_8_hunting_prospects_2019.pdf

[tgray]

Been 9 years since I been in that country, was fun back then but I have no idea what it’s like now. I hunted areas mentioned by the other members. Got a real nice bull in 2010

[jrebel]

There are a lot of really nice bulls in those units.  The reason success is so low is because you are archery hunting and that is never a guarantee.  Sounds like you have some good starting points and with a little luck and good weather, you will have a very memorable hunt.  Good luck hope you find a good bull. 

[jstone]

That’s a stud bull

[MADMAX]

That’s an understatement

[riverrun]

Took this bull with a muzzloader tag 4 years ago. Bulls were really vocal!

[elkrack]

  

Fricken stud!

[FamilyMan01]

My 2 cents....be persistent, be patient, hunt slow and don't get discouraged. It's not an easy area to hunt but if you're lucky enough, there's some dandy ones lurking around!