Indian heaven wilderness

[cutmymango]

This year! I’ve made up my mind, I’ve always hunted archery elk in September, expect for the last six years. I’ve been very busy in the summers fighting fires with baker river ihc and we typically go past September. I just went inactive for the rest of the year so September is a go. I’ve always hunted near the coast or up high near st. Helens. This year I want to hunt the Indian heaven wilderness. Figured I would post here and see what some guys have to say about the area that have hunted it the last few years before reaching out to fish and game. I know there’s plenty of hikers that use this area which may affect elk in September. I haven’t been able to find any recent posts about the area. I recently did a solo over night scouting trip on the northwest side, didn’t see a whole lot of elk sign, nothing fresh. Did a seven mile loop and saw a few deer. Any reply is appreciated. Thx.

[2MANY]

North facing where the people aren't.

[pianoman9701]

PM sent.

[300rum]

I want to ride my horses back in there but everyone says that it is miserable with the bugs.  Maybe that's just a way to keep everyone out?    

[cutmymango]

The bugs were bad yesterday!!

[pianoman9701]

The bugs were bad yesterday!!

They're really bad up there because of the moisture. I do a lot of picking in that area and always make sure to carry spray.

[b0bbyg]

A little elevation can really change bug amount. Sometimes just 100 feet and they are gone. But at the wrong elevation they will chew you up

Drive by Indian heaven areas every year, always some big camps but also areas I see almost no people.

Last year was bad as I believe many cows had their young at low elevation and never came uphill for the bow season but this year have seen a few more cows already.

[cutmymango]

A little elevation can really change bug amount. Sometimes just 100 feet and they are gone. But at the wrong elevation they will chew you up

Drive by Indian heaven areas every year, always some big camps but also areas I see almost no people.

Last year was bad as I believe many cows had their young at low elevation and never came uphill for the bow season but this year have seen a few more cows already.

PM sent

[pianoman9701]

A little elevation can really change bug amount. Sometimes just 100 feet and they are gone. But at the wrong elevation they will chew you up

Drive by Indian heaven areas every year, always some big camps but also areas I see almost no people.

Last year was bad as I believe many cows had their young at low elevation and never came uphill for the bow season but this year have seen a few more cows already.

This time of year, you can't get enough elevation in Indian Heaven unless you're on top of Sawtooth. The bugs are thick.

[b0bbyg]

Yeah I am thinking more during season, and technically the areas I am in are near Indian heaven  but not in the official map boundaries of the area.

[pickardjw]

PM sent

[pianoman9701]

Yeah I am thinking more during season, and technically the areas I am in are near Indian heaven  but not in the official map boundaries of the area.

I bet we've seen each other up there.

[b0bbyg]

Yeah I am thinking more during season, and technically the areas I am in are near Indian heaven  but not in the official map boundaries of the area.

I bet we've seen each other up there.

Likely, I probably should have tried to stop and see you for mushroom confirmation.   Would be quicker than the trout lake buyer

Have made that trip mid day during season as part of my learning process.

[pianoman9701]

Yeah I am thinking more during season, and technically the areas I am in are near Indian heaven  but not in the official map boundaries of the area.

I bet we've seen each other up there.

Likely, I probably should have tried to stop and see you for mushroom confirmation.   Would be quicker than the trout lake buyer

Have made that trip mid day during season as part of my learning process.

Those were our buyers when I was in the business. Handy place to fill water and grab a couple lbs of hucks.

[Alchase]

I hunted Indian Heaven for modern a lot. Late hunt you have to watch the weather. you can get snowed in quickly. I usually hunted out of Trout Lake Lodge. In 2014, there was 5 feet of snow at the turnoff to Lava Fields.
Lots of road hunters, but nowhere near the volume of most other West side areas. Never had a problem with bugs in the modern season, except when I cut a huge hornets nest down to take home. I placed it in my truck's canopy and continued hunting. When I got home that night, the hornets had woke up and covered the nest, 

Luckily they could not fly yet.

[BUTTER]

I wouldn't waste my time with that area anymore. Try the coast

[cutmymango]

Hey butter, I live in camas as well.

Have you spent time in the area? I just got back from an overnight scouting trip from the area. It’s weird not hunting elk for as long as I did and now comming back to it, seems like I forgot more than I know haha

Any information on the area would be helpful. Btw, you inbox is full.

[cutmymango]

Just wanted to reach out and say thank you to the few guys that sent pms with tips/info.

[Alchase]

Fantastic!

Can almost taste BBQed backstrap and elk jerky 

[elkboy]

 
Congrats, Mango, that's great!!! Are you going to type up a hunt story?

[Caseknife]

Way to go, nice bull, back in the saddle again.

[LDennis24]

My buddy got this one in the Indian Heaven Wilderness last year

[pianoman9701]

Just wanted to reach out and say thank you to the few guys that sent pms with tips/info.

Way to go, Mango. If you need a home for any meat, please let me know. I'm willing to keep helping! 

[LDennis24]

Cracking jokes and forgot to say Congratulations! That bull has some sweet dark antlers! I have tried killing elk in the Indian Heaven before. It's not easy getting through there with all the bugs biting you. We thought it would be good since it was really dry that year but didnt even see sign, and eventually we found success East of there but not up in the wilderness  One of my very favorite experiences in the woods was up there one year on the Northwest end in the Tillicum Campground. I was down by the creek just checking out the salamanders I discovered and was unfamiliar with, they were Cascade torrent salamanders I believe, when a gang of pine marten started bounding through the woods like a family of otters, tackling each other off of trees and wrestling on the ground. Made me feel like Marty Stauffer! They came right past me and didn't even notice I was sitting down on a rock in the creek ditch. They were having a blast! Before I carried a cell phone or camera otherwise it would have been awesome footage!

[pickardjw]

Congrats man! I just got back from pulling SD cards. If you have any better pics of the antlers to share I might have some photos/video of him if you're interested.

[cutmymango]

Thanks guys! I thought about writing up a little post hunt recap but I wasn’t sure if anyone would be really interested. Here’s a few more pics of my 2023 bull.

[LDennis24]

Man that bull is SWEET! Looks like he was rubbing those really pitchy sub alpine fir! I was always told that's where they get those dark antlers. Congratulations again!

[300rum]

Yes, you should put something up!   

Thanks guys! I thought about writing up a little post hunt recap but I wasn’t sure if anyone would be really interested. Here’s a few more pics of my 2023 bull.

[millerwheeler]

Thanks guys! I thought about writing up a little post hunt recap but I wasn’t sure if anyone would be really interested. Here’s a few more pics of my 2023 bull.

Share away always nice when people have a nice hunting story

[Alchase]

Thanks guys! I thought about writing up a little post hunt recap but I wasn’t sure if anyone would be really interested. Here’s a few more pics of my 2023 bull.

Please do, love to read people’s hunting stories!

Man that bull is SWEET! Looks like he was rubbing those really pitchy sub alpine fir! I was always told that's where they get those dark antlers. Congratulations again!

Love those dark Rosies
 

[WapitiTalk1]

Good work, congrats 

[Gentrys]

Congrats!