White River MF Bull Permit

[TimbersEdge]

I was blessed to draw the White River Permit this year with only 12 pts.  I've only seen the unit from the Highway & On-X Maps at this point.  I live about 3.5 hrs SW, but looking to get boots on the ground at least 3 or 4 weekends prior to the start of season.

I have multiple questions I was looking for help with:

Reading input from other hunters I get a lot of Landmarks like lakes, peaks, passes & PCT, but I'm not quite clear where the access points are to park my truck and start these hikes. Trailheads or maze of gravel roads??

I'm looking at the area between 410 and the E border (PCT)

Second, My 25 year Hunting Partner told me he can't commit to joining me due to Marrital issues etc and I get it, but I know my Lady is definitely not a fan of me going solo.

This leaves me 3 options:
- Try to enlist another friend who may not hunt to take multiple days from work ( PLEASE NO!)

- Hire a guide or Outfitter (If I have to...)

- Make some New friends that love hunting Elk and are hopefully familiar from prior hunting ( THIS ONE!)

Note: I have reached out to Chinook Pass Outfitters, but have not heard back what they offer for that area.

Lastly, I hear about the weather turning early and realize a tent or spike camp miles in might be rough if weather hits, but I do love roughing it.
If the weather is too heavy, than should I park my trailer off a spur road or do I need a campground to be safe from Vandals etc?

If Anyone Needs Input on Blue Creek Cow, Toutle Elk, East Wenaha or Watershed Quality Bull Permits I'd be happy to share what I know.

I really appreciate this hunting community! TIA

[RockChuck]

Vandals are always a concern these days, I would want to be close enough to hunt from camp if possible so would probably have to take the chance, I haven’t hunted that area in a lot of years so it may be worse now but 20 years ago I didn’t worry about it much.

[dilleytech]

You forgot option 4, go solo anyway and convince your wife your an adult man lol

[trophyhunt]

Never had issues with vandals/crackheads in that unit. Knock on wood!!

[Bob33]

An inReach might alleviate concerns about hunting solo.

[trophyhunt]

I’ve never had an issue hunting alone, in fact, usually only kill stuff when I am alone.  You are more aware of your surroundings when you are alone and quiet!!

[Oscar1970]

Almost all of the area has cell service

[Jpmiller]

I've never been "solo" up there. Even when I don't bring someone there's a 4runner or jeep coming along shortly 

But yeah, cell phone will get you most of the time, inreach for the spots that you can't reach a tower.

[HillHound]

I’ve never had an issue hunting alone, in fact, usually only kill stuff when I am alone.  You are more aware of your surroundings when you are alone and quiet!!

 

[Skyvalhunter]

Take your "Lady" with you.

[Stein]

I hunt solo with an InReach probably half the time.  I usually get into less trouble than when I go with my brother or buddies. 

It all depends on your situation and your family.  I would do what is right for the family, maybe that costs you some extra money with a guide, maybe not. 

[scoutdog346]

I'm willing to go with u for a day or 2.  If u left it up to me as to where we go I would turn off hw 410 on to little naches rd and drive all the way all most to the end then turn left onto the logging rd and go to YES the PCT/tr 2000.  I would have u hunt the gmu 346 and 653 border.   All good stuff in there. I bet u could get a rag horn/spike on the 1st day!!!!

I was blessed to draw the White River Permit this year with only 12 pts.  I've only seen the unit from the Highway & On-X Maps at this point.  I live about 3.5 hrs SW, but looking to get boots on the ground at least 3 or 4 weekends prior to the start of season.

I have multiple questions I was looking for help with:

Reading input from other hunters I get a lot of Landmarks like lakes, peaks, passes & PCT, but I'm not quite clear where the access points are to park my truck and start these hikes. Trailheads or maze of gravel roads??

I'm looking at the area between 410 and the E border (PCT)

Second, My 25 year Hunting Partner told me he can't commit to joining me due to Marrital issues etc and I get it, but I know my Lady is definitely not a fan of me going solo.

This leaves me 3 options:
- Try to enlist another friend who may not hunt to take multiple days from work ( PLEASE NO!)

- Hire a guide or Outfitter (If I have to...)

- Make some New friends that love hunting Elk and are hopefully familiar from prior hunting ( THIS ONE!)

Note: I have reached out to Chinook Pass Outfitters, but have not heard back what they offer for that area.

Lastly, I hear about the weather turning early and realize a tent or spike camp miles in might be rough if weather hits, but I do love roughing it.
If the weather is too heavy, than should I park my trailer off a spur road or do I need a campground to be safe from Vandals etc?

If Anyone Needs Input on Blue Creek Cow, Toutle Elk, East Wenaha or Watershed Quality Bull Permits I'd be happy to share what I know.

I really appreciate this hunting community! TIA

[Nimrod]

You forgot option 4, go solo anyway and convince your wife your an adult man lol

welp I guess somebody had to say it lol   Hunting alone sucks I get it but Man U have a great tag and many of great bulls, you would be a fool to spend this time looking for a hunting partner then hunting for an elk ! If u do you scouting right u should have a bull down day one, I would be in there a week before season patterning the bulls u have on your game camera and figuring out there patterns

[bkaech]

A lot of the land between 410 and the PCT is forest service, so you can park anywhere on the FS gravel roads, plenty of spots to pull off or camp. There are also plenty of spur roads that are overgrown, a truck that you don't mind scratching up with brush done the side can get you to cover a lot more ground that gets very few visitors.

[trophyhunt]

I would have been the first loser if I'd had put in for this, drew 45th in the bull catagory.  I was the 5,400+ loser in the quality elk, 28 points for both, lol.  Hunt the crap out of this tag, it's a good one.