Observetory archery tag- Need advice

[Dipsnort]

Conventional wisdom is that WDFW runs the chopper.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Gamblin Guy]

I've hunted the 340 unit for 20+ years, shoot me a pm and i'll see what i can do.

As for the helicopters, the "conventional wisdom" is repeated year after year but i've never seen them.  In years past i've spent a good deal of my summers in that unit scouting (kids and baseball have cut into that lately) and never saw any helicopters chasing elk.  More recently it is quads running into every canyon and on every trail, i find quad tracks well away from the roads they are supposed to be riding on every year.  Some of those guys even come back during the archery season to continue their illegal ways.  

I've also seen and talked to people riding horses who were "scouting" for rifle season during archery season.  Their scouting consisted of starting at the top of the canyons in three groups, one on each ridge top and the third dropping into the bottom and "scouting" until they have pushed the entire canyon.

The only helicopter i've ever seen was 3 or 4 years ago when we had an unusually wet August and September and the helitac fire crews were assigned as thinning crews.  The pilots get 2 hours of training a month and they happened to be flying around about a week before the season.  I went down and talked with them for quite a while, he never saw any elk while he was flying, it was mid day about 80 and the elk were in the timber.

[Gringo31]

While I too have drawn that tag, I can't say about that particular area but have seen helicopters chasing elk the day before elk rifle season in Elk Heights.  No question, they were pushing them on to the elk foundation land.

[coachcw]

no doubt that guys run all over that country and don't seem to know what wind is.I've seen these elk get bumped and are back in a couple of days. a couple of years back there was a huge herd near tamerak two weeks before the season , many collerd elk in the bunch . the next week they where all over the area . it probibly made for better hunting , but still they where broke up. a guy said he saw a white chopper flying low . in the area , maybe a local guy , but I doubt it. I quit working real hard scouting the area , just hunt hard during the season and try to cover the honey holes.good luck .coach.

[huntinfool2007]

you can get all the info in the world and youll still miss haha

[SHANE(WA)]

this happens in huckleberry unit, indians not wanting "their" elk killed

[Titan-1]

Seems to me that someone "good" enough to make his own video should be good enough to find his own elk and kill one.  Not good advertising for a video when someone else puts you on the animals.

[/quote]

Just because someone makes a DVD doesn't mean they think there that "good" or better than anyone else. Far from it in fact, I do it for the pure love of the sport & the outdoors. I enjoy sharing our hunting experiences with others & learn something new from just about every one I go hunting with. Any of us are "good" enough to produce a DVD, Just takes a little dedication is all. If you looked into it, MOST (not all) of the big name hunting productions are on private ranches, "guided" hunts & NOT IN WASHINGTON STATE... So don't worry, just because we produce a DVD doesn't mean we think we are to "good" to ask for a little advise on a draw tag in an area we have never hunted before, we dont do it that often. Sorry if it put you out. Hope you have a great season and I wish you all the best.

Chris

[billythekidrock]

Well said Chris.

[Michelle_Nelson]

 

[dave]

follow the sound of two bird humping, past the rock of disappointment, to the town you call home, and hang your tag on the wall proudly. there are no elk in 340-342.

[Titan-1]

follow the sound of two bird humping, past the rock of disappointment, to the town you call home, and hang your tag on the wall proudly. there are no elk in 340-342.

NO ELK?    Glad you filled me in, now I don't even have to bother going  . How much do you think it will cost to mount my tag?  I have a good spot on the wall picked out for it   

[D-Rock425]

I would hunt around the wenas area.  I know a group of rifle hunters that hunt that area and they do fairly well every year.  I went with them for a few days just to hang out and help with any animals.  I think we camped and hunted by Jones canyon and watering trough canyon.  Keep up the good work and good luck with the tags guys. 

[Titan-1]

I would hunt around the wenas area.  I know a group of rifle hunters that hunt that area and they do fairly well every year.  I went with them for a few days just to hang out and help with any animals.  I think we camped and hunted by Jones canyon and watering trough canyon.  Keep up the good work and good luck with the tags guys. 

Thanks!!!

[dave]

I've hunted the 340 unit for 20+ years, shoot me a pm and i'll see what i can do.

As for the helicopters, the "conventional wisdom" is repeated year after year but i've never seen them.  In years past i've spent a good deal of my summers in that unit scouting (kids and baseball have cut into that lately) and never saw any helicopters chasing elk.  More recently it is quads running into every canyon and on every trail, i find quad tracks well away from the roads they are supposed to be riding on every year.  Some of those guys even come back during the archery season to continue their illegal ways.  

I've also seen and talked to people riding horses who were "scouting" for rifle season during archery season.  Their scouting consisted of starting at the top of the canyons in three groups, one on each ridge top and the third dropping into the bottom and "scouting" until they have pushed the entire canyon.

The only helicopter i've ever seen was 3 or 4 years ago when we had an unusually wet August and September and the helitac fire crews were assigned as thinning crews.  The pilots get 2 hours of training a month and they happened to be flying around about a week before the season.  I went down and talked with them for quite a while, he never saw any elk while he was flying, it was mid day about 80 and the elk were in the timber.

  the quads are everywere but it doesn't seem to bother the elk, I have been hunting, had a bike scream buy me, i got pissed off stood up and stomped off only to kick up two small bulls and 1/2 dozen cows bedded down 200yards away. the elk are used to it.

[Gamblin Guy]

But when they are too lazy to turn off the quad and get off of it to shoot at a deer, it gets a little ridiculous dont ya think?