Olympic peninsula Hoof Rot Incentive Tag

[PsoasHunter]

I posted on an earlier thread that I drew Hoof Rot Incentive Tag and chose the olympic peninsula region tag.  I wanted to make a thread to detail the hunt and spread information on the tag and incentive.  I'm also open to advice on this thread, I'm hoping to make the most of it and I'm learning a lot as I go.

First off: the tag.  This is the first year this tag/drawing was done.  Last year elk hunters were encouraged to target limping elk and submit hooves for research to learn more about the hoof rot disease.  I didn't target a limping elk specifically, but the area I hunt is afflicted and the cow I harvested had some low levels of hoof rot, so I submitted them.  I didn't even realize at the time how good the tag was.  WDFW was giving out 19 tags across 5 units in Western Wa, and only 129 hunters submitted hooves w/ hoof rot, pretty great odds!  I was one of the last picked, so I only had 2 areas remaining to choose from, and I decided I would rather chase trophy Rosie's in their domain on the Oly pen. The tag is for any bull, from September 1st to Dec 31st, with any weapon, in about 10 GMUS from highway 12 north around the entire peninsual except the east side.  I highly recommend everyone hunting west side elk consider this tag next year - even if that means more people in the draw, it means more control of the disease and more opportunities for research. That's my plug.

On to the hunt.

I am targeting the Matheny 618 GMU and clearwater 615 GMU's, as they have big bulls, lots of public land, and they are 3.5 hours from home instead of 4-6 hours from home haha.  With a 1.5 year old daughter at home, my trips away from home are limited.  However, her and my wife are coming out for my first hunt over labor day, so we make the most of it.  She makes a fine elk call when I ask her "what does an elk say", maybe she'll call for me.

My first scouting trip was July 15-17.  I drove the roads I could until they washed out in 618 and started climbing uphill.  I had marked a bunch of benches and flattish areas on north-facing ridges, and set out to check some.  After about 800 feet of elevation straight up a 30-40 degree slope I was encouraged when I got to the first waypoint marked on Onx and found an elk trail materialize out of nowhere, rubs and beds start to appear, and the tiniest meadow show up.  I struck gold on my first marked spot! I also confirmed that yes, it is indeed steep, wet, and thick in this country!  Luckily I was also training for a rainier summit the following weekend (which was a success), so steep is all in the game plan.  Going back down later w/ an elk quarter on my back may be a different story, but that's September's problem. Type 2 fun right?   

[PsoasHunter]

My lab Muira had a good time and didn't seem as affected by the elevation and slick footing as me...

[PsoasHunter]

You know you have great hunting/scouting buddies when they bring rib-eyes with the only request being that I do the cooking on the open fire.  Happy to oblige.

Rainier was a success the next weekend, and it got me thinking: was scouting in the elk woods good training for climbing Rainier, or was climbing Rainier good training for this upcoming elk season?  Either way, one goal down, one to go!

[PsoasHunter]

I hope to get up into 615 and make another trip to 618 in August.  I'm planning on taking advantage of my early opener and get in there before the archery guys get their chance, so I'll be hunting 5 days around Labor Day weekend.  I talked to a very helpful WDFW bio and he confirmed what seems to be the case, these elk move a lot, don't hang in big herds, can be hard to find, but can show up out of the green at any time.  My current plan is slow-hunting dark timber around benches like this one using locator bugles and calling sparingly, as well as using locator bugles walking the washed out roads towards the park, and heading into drainages based on that.  I have never called elk, so early September I may change it up after a few days and try some aggressive calling to try to get some challenges from pre-rut high-strung bulls. 

If early September doesn't pan out, I'll be back in late September for a 5 day hunt after archery and before muzzy season during the peak rut.  My calling sequences will have to improve by then, that's on the to-do list.

If that all fails, I'll be praying for lots of snow to get them out of the high country in the park for the late season.

I'm trying my best to learn a completely new area, but it's an uphill battle.  I'm open to suggestions, critiques, and just general story swapping from your experiences in the coastal peninsula chasing these awesome animals!   I hope I can add a great story to the oral history to be passed on after this amazing opportunity. Thanks for listening and following along.

[Jake Dogfish]

Great write up.  Good luck with your hunt! 

[nwhunter]

So since I’ve never heard of this tag I assume you have to target and kill an elk you assume has hoof rot.? It doesn’t sound like it since you say you are targeting trophy Roosevelt elk and are hunting a unit I would say is highly unlikely you will encounter hoof rot🤷🏽‍♂️Seems like an odd tag to get to hunt units with very low hoof rot and where archery hunts will be going on and later in the month rifle tags guys have waited ten plus years to draw.. Please enlighten me.. and good luck on your hunt👍

[andrew_in_idaho]

So since I’ve never heard of this tag I assume you have to target and kill an elk you assume has hoof rot.? It doesn’t sound like it since you say you are targeting trophy Roosevelt elk and are hunting a unit I would say is highly unlikely you will encounter hoof rotSeems like an odd tag to get to hunt units with very low hoof rot and where archery hunts will be going on and later in the month rifle tags guys have waited ten plus years to draw.. Please enlighten me.. and good luck on your hunt

As I understand it they are like raffle tags to incentivize those who turned in hooves last year on hoof rot tags. Kinda like the hunter report incentive tags. OP can definitely feel free to come in and correct me though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HntnFsh]

So since I’ve never heard of this tag I assume you have to target and kill an elk you assume has hoof rot.? It doesn’t sound like it since you say you are targeting trophy Roosevelt elk and are hunting a unit I would say is highly unlikely you will encounter hoof rot🤷🏽‍♂️Seems like an odd tag to get to hunt units with very low hoof rot and where archery hunts will be going on and later in the month rifle tags guys have waited ten plus years to draw.. Please enlighten me.. and good luck on your hunt👍

He does not have to target a hoof rot elk on his upcoming hunt.

[PsoasHunter]

So since I’ve never heard of this tag I assume you have to target and kill an elk you assume has hoof rot.? It doesn’t sound like it since you say you are targeting trophy Roosevelt elk and are hunting a unit I would say is highly unlikely you will encounter hoof rotSeems like an odd tag to get to hunt units with very low hoof rot and where archery hunts will be going on and later in the month

As I understand it they are like raffle tags to incentivize those who turned in hooves last year on hoof rot tags. Kinda like the hunter report incentive tags. OP can definitely feel free to come in and correct me though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is correct, itxs the reward to hunt a quality bull, which is the incentive for everyone to target limping elk. The goal is to get thousands of people in the general hunt targeting limping elk, not the few people who draw. The draw is the invective.

To nwhunter, this is separate from the quality draws, it didn't affect your odds of drawing. If you've been waiting ten years, target limping elk this year and submit hooves for next year. The odds are much better for you in the hoof rot incentive tag, which is the exact point of it in the first place!

[Bucks2Ducks]

It's nice they decided to do something. The thing is almost nobody in WA is going to pass up a legal elk whether it's limping or not, so not sure how much it will help. Anyway, excited to follow your hunt.

[JakeLand]

 My  over there is don’t get hung up on bugling as they’ll get silent , work a cow call, listen in the dark for bugles and get up in there quietly and a little cow love sickness will work incredible well
Good luck and stick one !

[ASienkiewich]

My uncle killed a big bull in 618 a few years back. Looks like you’re already on the right track.

Just a thought here but be careful taking your dog through areas you plan on hunting, especially closer to season.

I have had guys walk past my trail cameras (that had elk on them every day) with their dogs. Then I don’t see elk for a week or 2 could be coincidence, maybe not.

Good luck on your hunt. Here’s my bull from the coast last year! Just to get you excited. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trophyhunt]

Man I love those Rosie’s , great bull!

[ganghis]

Love this post, both for raising awareness about tag options if you turn in hoof rot samples, and also the scouting and set up.  Keep us in the loop!

Totally with you on using mountaineering to help out with conditioning for hunting season.  Those two go together well.

[jaybirding]

Appreciate the info. Definitely sounds like a tag worth getting! Summiting mount rainier and helping reduce the population of elk with hoof rot all while spreading the word - you deserve that tag!

[PsoasHunter]

Thanks for the advice on calling Jake land, that's valuable info, I appreciate it. I'll keep that in mind for sure.

ASienkiewich, thanks for the tip on the dog, i didn't think about that.  And thanks for the awesome inspiration pic, that's an amazing elk right there!

[ASienkiewich]

Thanks for the advice on calling Jake land, that's valuable info, I appreciate it. I'll keep that in mind for sure.

ASienkiewich, thanks for the tip on the dog, i didn't think about that.  And thanks for the awesome inspiration pic, that's an amazing elk right there!

My dogs are my best friends too, it’s hard to not take them. But just thought I’d throw my 2cents your way! Excited to follow!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hunter_sean08]

Glad to hear some of the waypoints you marked were successful. You know if you need any help packing or with anything else I’m a phone call away.

Sean


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PsoasHunter]

 

Thanks Sean, I'll let you know!

[PsoasHunter]

I'm just about all packed up and ready to head out tomorrow.  Just have to get through a half-day of work in the morning first!

I'm looking forward to an awesome experience whether I get a chance at an elk or not, just thankful for time in the woods with friends and family.

[JakeLand]

I'm just about all packed up and ready to head out tomorrow.  Just have to get through a half-day of work in the morning first!

I'm looking forward to an awesome experience whether I get a chance at an elk or not, just thankful for time in the woods with friends and family.

getsum !! Keep us updated

[ASienkiewich]

Tagging along


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PsoasHunter]

I'm home a day early after a successful hunt in all regards! I have a lot of unpacking, butchering, and processing to get done before work Tuesaday and flying to Alaska on Wednesday. I hope to get the story up tomorrow or Tuesday, but here's the plot summary!

[cohocrazy]

Nice Bull! Looking forward to the story.

[Alan K]

Right on, congrats!

[HntnFsh]

 Thats a dandy bull. Congrats!

[JakeLand]

Congrats!! Waiting to hear the scoop

[C-Money]

Congrats!!

[MADMAX]

 Dandy 

[hunterednate]

Hey, congrats!! Can't wait to hear the story. That is awesome.

[Westside88]

Great Bull, I love hunting that area. You did well!

[Falcon]

Huge congrats.    All your hard work paid off with a beautiful bull

[grundy53]

Nice bull! Congrats!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[PsoasHunter]

A few updates on the processing:

1. These coastal Rosie's are HUGE bodied elk. Every cut is blowing my mind during the butchering. Here's the backstrap.

2. It tastes delicious! Fresh backstraps and tenderloin tonight with grilled garden tomatoes and foraged morels from this spring are excellent compliments.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone, I'm very grateful for the opportunity of this hunt and for the chance at this beautiful bull.

[JakeLand]

More pics of the bull !

[Suka]

Great Bull, love those Rosies

[MountainWalk]

Fantastic and outstanding! Way to go, bud.

[PsoasHunter]

The Story

Part 1

I got out to the peninsula on Thursday around 6 PM.  My buddy got there about 2 hours earlier and found our preferred camping spot wasn’t taken yet, so we were off to a good start.  We got camp set, cooked up a good meal, and got ready for the hunt.  I went to sleep dreaming of bugles and what the next day would bring.  Other Labor Day weekends when backpacking I’ve been woken overnight by bugling bulls, and I was disappointed to instead be woken up by my alarm at 4:45 am instead. I set out from camp walking the washed out road towards the unknown, not knowing what to expect from this early season hunt.

This hunt ended up being a hunt of firsts: First time hunting this unit, first time hunting elk in September, first time using a bugle/diaphragm calls/doing any calling beyond a few cow calls.  It ended with being my first bull, my first time using the gutless method, and my first pack out of an animal that took more than one trip.

Friday was a fun day spent checking out a lot of new areas, still hunting through great elk country and habitat, but seeing no recent evidence of elk.  I found a wallow, lots of rubs from this season, great areas to sit and stalk, but all the scat I was finding looked a week old or more, and I didn’t hear a single bugle or elk all day.  Not used to hunting in September, I didn’t know what to expect, but all the podcasts, how-to-call videos, ect all talk about the different set-ups and how fired up bulls get, so I was a little bummed.  I was also realistic: I’d heard these Rosie’s don’t talk much from some gracious members on here who shared some advice, and from the state bio I talked to as well, who hunts this GMU annually. I also figured this weekend was mostly another intel-gathering trip, and my late September hunt would be the real exciting week.  I went to bed happy on Friday with the spots I’d seen so far, knowing I had a lot of hunting left ahead of me.  Still though, it would be nice to tag out early with all my current family commitments…

[PsoasHunter]

Saturday morning came early, out of the tent at O-dark-30 again, this time driving to another drainage I’d scouted more.  About 15 minutes down the gravel road, I realized I forgot my phone in the tent, with my onyx offline maps, and annoyed at the loss of time, went back to get it.  Maybe that timing worked in my favor.

I got to my preferred area and headed off downhill.  My plan was to hunt the bottoms in the morning, then head uphill to the bedding area I had scouted and try to catch them heading in or out of their beds if the bottom didn’t pan out.  The day before I had played with different calling techniques, from no calling and listening, to sporadic locator bugles with 5 to 30 minutes of sitting and waiting 20-40 yards from where I had bugled, to aggressive bugling, to cow calling.  As I was walking the timber this morning, I was throwing out a few locator bugles, nothing too aggressive, maybe every 2 to 20 minutes with some cow calls mixed in.  I was in some very thick dark timber with some small hemlocks mixed in, where the elk trails are like tunnels in the brush.  I hadn’t bugled much in about 30 minutes, but had thrown a few cow calls out and was moving very slowly, but not trying to be particularly silent,  I heard the faintest cracking of twigs about 150 yards behind and to my left that just barely registered.  I waited, hearing nothing, but also knowing there’s not much that would be snapping twigs. I recalled some advice given that bulls in this area will typically come in completely silently… I took a few more steps and heard a few more cracking twigs, closer now, that then stopped.  I took 2 more steps to get behind a giant downed cedar tree that served as cover. Within a minute the biggest bull I’ve seen in the wild was 40 yards from me, coming in on a line directly at me. I quickly confirmed he was a mature 6x6, which was everything I’d hoped for, and I did not think twice about whether he was a shooter.  I have 4 months to hunt with this tag, yet there was no hesitation about looking for a bigger monster: this was a huge bull for me. 

But I had no shot.  It was very thick and his vitals were covered.  A few agonizing steps later and his vitals appeared, quartering towards me between the trees.  I was ready.  My shot hit him in the lungs, he turned, took about 5 very strong looking steps away from me, then I lost sight of him behind a stump.  I was waiting for him to step out for a second shot, or make a death noise, but he stopped there.  I took a step to my left to assess, he stood up, and presented a second shot, which I took.  He went down and stayed down. 

I’ve shot 5 cow elk before.  Walking up on each has always been a reminder of how big these animals are, but I can’t put into perspective how much bigger this elk looked. His body was massive!  His rack was gorgeous, dark, with mass, symmetrical, and beautiful.  But his body was truly mind-blowing.  Deer and elk look like they have long skinny legs, beef cows’ legs look short and stocky – his legs and hooves looked like a beef cow.  I quickly got to boning him out, employing the gutless method for the first time.  I will state the casual comment I recall from the instruction on this method I got included “you just reach in and pull the tenderloins out”, which I now know is not quite as easy as it was made to seem, but I got the job done.  I put my new orange aglow game bags to work and they worked great! Until they were filled.  There was so much meat it didn’t fit in 5 elk game bags, fully boned out.  It was a nice problem to have that I and my family will enjoy all year as we enjoy this bounty of meat. 

I got the first load to the truck about 6 hours after killing the bull.  I drove back to camp, picked up my buddy, then got ahold of another buddy who was already on his way to camp for the remainder of the trip.  I had him stop to pick up an extra cooler for all the meat, gave him coordinates, then hiked back in to finish boning out the last front quarter.  He met us and we enjoyed a nice pack out, being very thankful I had gotten this bull down in the river bottom, where the elevation wasn’t too severe yet, instead of the 40 degree slope I was planning on climbing in the afternoon to hunt.

We got all the meat and head back to camp at 7:30, just with a little light left in the day.  I should probably go buy a lotto ticket, because I feel like I continued to get lucky with this tag.  Not only lucky to have noticed the WDFW email last year announcing the tag, but to win one, then get time off to scout and hunt it with great friends, then to find an amazing bull ticking all the boxes I was looking for, on day 2 of my hunt!  I also was able to come home a day early so I could spend all day today butchering, processing, and cleaning up in time to make it to work tomorrow before flying to Alaska on Wednesday, which is pretty lucky.  I put a lot of work into this too, but I’ll take good luck any day and it’s better to be lucky than good.  Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice and tips, starting with Redi who suggested this particular GMU, getting me off on the right foot from the get-go.   

I’ll try to add some more details from the trip, but have to call it a night for now. I got a nice bull on my game camera that might be my bull, but G3’s look a little weaker on that pic and can’t confirm it’s a 6 w/ the branches in the picture.

[PsoasHunter]

As he lays, walking up on him at the first pic

[PsoasHunter]

Big quarters and the pack out.

[PsoasHunter]

A few more pics of the rack.

[Pete112288]

Amazing bull and great write up.
This is all great to see considering I was also one of those 129 or so that were in that drawing.
No tag for me, but I am ok with it and will live vicariously through your post 

[JakeLand]

Awesome bull and thanks for sharing!

[redi]

Great bull and write up. You made the most of your tag. Congrats

[trophyhunt]

Love it, great bull and thanks for sharing!! 

[salmosalar]

Great job. Good for you! That is a beautiful bull.