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.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
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GLOCK Certified Armourer

[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.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms
GLOCK Certified Armourer

[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!