663 Capitol peak info on cougars and other units

[stew pidasso]

Looking for some information on Capitol state forest cougar numbers. In March and April I'm taking more than a week off each month to strictly concentrate on cougar. I realize that it may meet quota and not be open but at 8-11 before it closes it may not. I'm open to different units, especially since I'm going to need snow for tracking and Capitol Forest isn't that high. The caviot is I will have my daughters 6 and 9 with me. So I have poured over onX looking for something relatively tame. I live in La Center and was hoping to stay somewhat close to home but am willing to travel because of so many logistics to overcome. One thing also is that I want to be in a motel so my girls can relax and be comfortable at night. Makes it easier for me to dry their close as well. I also need some where with around a 45 minute drive max as well. I know you dad's understand. Being that each trip will be about 9 days I could set up my wall tent up if I found the perfect area. Meaning a spot to camp, tamish terrain, good info on high cougar densities, snow, open unit..... So please recommend any and all places so I can look into it. Man, after typing this I should just book something in Idaho. Anyway, let me know your thoughts.

[redi]

I'm curious what your method of hunting will be are you going to predator call?

[Mudman]

Snow probably wont comply but some years it does.  Deer n cats likely lower elevations then.  667 Vail unit is loaded with cats if ya have access.

[bobcat]

Might look into the Toutle unit. Could be too much snow to get around though. I'd probably go to the east side if it was me. Maybe around Naches. Lots of cougars over there. For west side another area to look into would be just out of Hoodsport. Lots of cougars and you can go high if necessary to get into snow, or stay closer to the highway if there's too much snow up high. Not sure if any areas are good for 6 and 9 year old girls though. My girls wouldn't be into it I know that much.

[Curly]

What about the NF area noth of Carson and west of the Trout Lake area?

[stew pidasso]

I'm curious what your method of hunting will be are you going to predator call?

So I will try an e caller for as long as the girls can stand to sit. I also have a few of rainshadows calls that we will have. My girls don't sit still for long, they love moving which suits my style best. I want to get lucky and cut fresh tracks and try an walk it down. My 9 year old can cross country pretty well but plan on my 6 year old riding on my shoulders once tired. I've line distanced lots of 3-7 mile hikes in the Capitol Forest. Trying to make boxes in the unit moving each day. I'll do that to whatever unit we choose. I am going to try to stick to the tops of ridges until having to drop in.

Bobcat, I may have suckered them in a bit by saying we would do some sledding down the steepest hills they have ever seen My 9 year old took a nice boar this year and now my 6 year old has been a bit jealous. She wants to show her big sister that she is the best hunter. A little bit of competition never hurts ya know.
I'm going to check out all areas suggested so far, thanks.

[stew pidasso]

Snow probably wont comply but some years it does.  Deer n cats likely lower elevations then.  667 Vail unit is loaded with cats if ya have access.

So I do not have access to that Weyerhaeuser ground but that Gifford Pinchot looks promising. 28k acres. Do you know if those roads would be open? Looks like the only access would be from the north. It's ridge tops are up around 3800' though, so that is good.

[Onewhohikes]

Nice Job by your 9 yr old. Do you think she has caught onto the fact you need snow to sled?

[ThurstonCokid]

I live in oly and have been around 663 my entire life. I’ve seen 2 cats one during deer season no shot opportunity and one just on a drive with no gun. (Stupid) i have also seen one in the back on a deer hunters truck. They’re there and i can send you pins of where I’ve seen them. I’d love to see you harvest one and take it out of the area. Like others have said 667 is a cat dense unit as well.


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[Dysfunctional Vet]

Saw one last weekend running down the paved road on the chehalis side.

[rainshadow1]

Get to know the road network that you can see from or near home...

I know you're talking about taking specific time off, but still. Get to know those roads, and trails, and their elevation relative to landmarks you can see when you're at a vantage point close to home. Then you can look every time the clouds are clear enough to see and you'll know if that last snow got down to them.

When it did, Go!

That was my best technique when I lived on the Peninsula. Thankfully I was self employed and could rearrange schedule that day or the following and get up to drive and hike for tracks.  6-12 hours after the storm stopped was the golden time.

Then you pretty well know you're on one that can still hear you!!!!

[Curly]

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/gifford-peak

Won't be snow (most likely not, anyway) in 663 in April, maybe in March.  But I think you would find snow in the Wind River unit.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3843445.pdf

Maybe the 54 road and the 60 road.

And it's closer to Vancouver than Capital Forest.   

[stew pidasso]

Might look into the Toutle unit. Could be too much snow to get around though. I'd probably go to the east side if it was me. Maybe around Naches. Lots of cougars over there. For west side another area to look into would be just out of Hoodsport. Lots of cougars and you can go high if necessary to get into snow, or stay closer to the highway if there's too much snow up high. Not sure if any areas are good for 6 and 9 year old girls though. My girls wouldn't be into it I know that much.

So I checked out both Naches and hoodsport areas today and like what I see. Definitely could try both in 1 trip.

Saw one last weekend running down the paved road on the chehalis side.
[/quote

Shoot it!

Nice Job by your 9 yr old. Do you think she has caught onto the fact you need snow to sled?

Yes. An I have cought on to if we don't sled there may not be a second trip in April.

What about the NF area noth of Carson and west of the Trout Lake area?

Checking this out next week.

[stew pidasso]

What about the NF area noth of Carson and west of the Trout Lake area?

Yep I've been looking into that area recently. That big flat around trout hill looks promising. I feel like it would be a great deer wintering area with cougars coming in to pick them off. I was on 42 yesterday with the girls. 4 miles hiked and 2 hours sledding. No tracks cut.

[Onewhohikes]

Any deer sign?