Colockum Early Archery Bust

[dreadi]

Due to “everything”: DNR lands closed to recreation, work piling up, poor air that turned into bad air which turned into hazardous air, I bailed on the early season after one full day. My plan was to bring a spike camp instead of the full wall tent camp and stay for 4-5 days on WDFW land.

Opening day the air quality got worse and worse. For every herd of elk I saw, noted which direction they were traveling and decided that since I had only heard barely a peep of response from calls, that I would take their lead and follow them. Not on foot, but in the truck. The air was too bad to be humping it up and down from those ridges.

I managed to bump into a few herds elk, and did see one spike. Nothing in bow range except for a bull at 6:30am. Sure would have been nice to have a bull tag right about then.





There was also a herd of rams of about 27. A few mule deer here and there. There was one spot where I saw three bucks within bow range that all head enough points to be legal in other units but, not legal to hunt in that unit. I was going to note that spot and then realized I had noted that same exact spot on the same day last year. Imagine that. Now I just need a mule deer tag for 329.

After a full day I decided it was too much for me, pulled up stakes and bailed.

I don’t know who, I assume it was WDFW law enforcement, someone was as going around and placing, “WARNING” small poster sized papers on trucks under the wiper blade. I never got close enough to see what the body of the posters said. Most of those trucks were parked on DNR managed lands. There was quite a few camps on DNR land. Perhaps they didn’t get the memo. If you’re not a smart phone person or camp and hunt out of cellular range, I can easily see why some would not know.  However, it was a bit perturbing to see people not following the rules, despite my dislike for the closure. There are many spots that I like to hunt on DNR land and the closure forced my hand to venture into less desirable spots.

I hope the rains come soon for everyone’s sake. Also, I’m thinking of bailing on true spike hunts. I had a lot of success calling in bulls last year in the same area. I could be fooling myself since those bulls don’t get the intended pressure like the spikes do.


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[trophyhunt]

One day.......

[Karl Blanchard]

Pure misery out there. I back packed into a spot near you for the weekend and had to tap out myself mid day today. LONG hike Saturday had me wheezing like an asthmatic and had one of the worst headaches I can ever remember. But hey on the plus side, the smoke blocked out the sun so it wasn't 91° like it was supposed to be 

[7mmfan]

Pure misery out there. I back packed into a spot near you for the weekend and had to tap out myself mid day today. LONG hike Saturday had me wheezing like an asthmatic and had one of the worst headaches I can ever remember. But hey on the plus side, the smoke blocked out the sun so it wasn't 91° like it was supposed to be 

Same here. Bailed and hiked out last night. Head ache and coughing whole hiking out,  overall just sick feeling today. Finally feeling  normal now.

[dreadi]

I believe you. Today I see the air quality was even worse than yesterday.


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[pd]

This entire thread is depressing.

2020 started with Spring Bear closures, now this. What’s next?

[dreadi]

This entire thread is depressing.

2020 started with Spring Bear closures, now this. What’s next?

2020 is going to get right. I can see it. I believe.

[muleyslayer]

I was planning on hiking into the wilderness for deer scouting/ bear hunting but the smoke made me head back home. I sure hope it clears up soon

[NOCK NOCK]

So I am very curious how many folks said screw the closure and hunted the closed areas anyway.  There are always those that do such things. Does anyone know if DNR or sheriff was patrolling entry points or the land?

First year in along time I went Muzzy instead of archery, smart move so far.

[trophyhunt]

I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise.   But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th?  This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise.   But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th?  This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.

otc spikes is a hard draw?

[Griz231]

We were in the same boat with the smoke. Feeling pretty crappy today but we had an amazing opening day hunt. The best I’ve ever been on!! My pops and I were helping a good friend with his bull tag and he ended up smoking a giant 7x8!  If he gives me permission I’ll post a story and some pics but here’s a teaser.

[Sutherland]

Glad to hear some people are still having some luck out there in this smoke. Good work, can't wait to hear the story on this one.

[Griz231]

I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise.   But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th?  This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.

otc spikes is a hard draw?

Don't forget the "TRUE" Spike part. Absolutely ridiculous for archery hunters. I'll bet the muzzle and rifle season is crazy this year with more archery guys/gals moving over.

[Mtnwalker]

We were in the same boat with the smoke. Feeling pretty crappy today but we had an amazing opening day hunt. The best I’ve ever been on!! My pops and I were helping a good friend with his bull tag and he ended up smoking a giant 7x8!  If he gives me permission I’ll post a story and some pics but here’s a teaser.

Looking forward to that one!

[TriggerMike]

WDFW is looking at dropping the true spike requirement for archery just a heads up.

I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag 

[Special T]

WDFW is looking at dropping the true spike requirement for archery just a heads up.

I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag 

Where did you hear about them dropping true spike for archery?  They just went to permit only cor archery antlerless.

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[Karl Blanchard]

WDFW is looking at dropping the true spike requirement for archery just a heads up.

I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag 

Where did you hear about them dropping true spike for archery?  They just went to permit only cor archery antlerless.

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it was in the proposed rule changes that they just did the survey for.


Does the OP have a bull tag?

[rainshadow1]

We were in the same boat with the smoke. Feeling pretty crappy today but we had an amazing opening day hunt. The best I’ve ever been on!! My pops and I were helping a good friend with his bull tag and he ended up smoking a giant 7x8!  If he gives me permission I’ll post a story and some pics but here’s a teaser.

Looking forward to that one!

 

Was hoping to go Scout/Bear/Hunckleberry today, but it is worse not better... My boys are with me for a leg now, but to little avail. Really hoping it starts blowing out soon.

Then my older got his tags early this year because he was gonna turn 16, he got Muzzy Elk, but the custody schedule is going to make him miss the Early season completely. We're going to have to go blind for the last week of the Late season up above the 90. (Will beg you guys for some last chance guidance!)

If it's not one thing it's another... what a year!

[trophyhunt]

I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise.   But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th?  This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.

otc spikes is a hard draw?

well crap karl, I didn’t read that.

[jstone]

Hope the smoke goes away soon
Still lots of time for that tag

[2MANY]

Take up smoking and save on all the expensive scent killers and clothing.

[JimmyHoffa]

Been getting some wind and a little rain on the coast, so maybe it will move over there and improve conditions for the rest of your season.

[saylean]

I didnt even bother going due to the closures and air quality. Moved up a job that I post poned specifically so I could elk hunt. Might catch the tale end of the season if I can finish up the job in time.

Good luck all, stay safe. I figure, maybe the elk could use a break anyway with all the smoke, and Im ok with that.

[weaksauce]

I’m in the same boat I was headed up on Tuesday to the same area before the opener didn’t even make it up before a couple of fellas told me DNR had closed the land. Grateful for the information saved me a lot of time setting up camp just to get kicked out.  I considered plan b and c but I’ve got a multiseason so I just bagged this early hunt until things calm down a bit. Tough decision though.

[dreadi]

I wish I had a bull tag. I would have been done hunting at 6:30am when a herd slowly walked 30yd away while I was eating a biscuit.


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