Observatory Archery Quality Tag

[StringShot]

Hey y’all
Drew the observatory archery tag and was wondering if anyone had any advice.
I know to get away from the roads and find the deep dark hidey holes. But what areas get crowded and do the general hunters going after spikes scour every drainage? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks! Also any pics of
Bulls taken there recently would be awesome too!

[MackDaddy509]

OTC archery spike hunters aren't allowed to hunt the Umtanum unit. Most of the higher elevation country is in the Manastash unit, but the entirety of the Observatory holds good bulls.

Not a ton of "hidey holes" in the Observatory since everything is fairly accessible and there are a lot of roads. But the Yakima Herd is doing well these days, and herd numbers have been well above objective for several years. You will have a great hunt.

[buglebuster]

Have fun. Here’s a couple alive ones

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It's been ages since I was there, but I used to love walking the ridge from Taneum lake trailhead to the Frost Mountain trail and drooping off the backside to come out at South Fork Meadows.
Hoight Mining Trail, and coming out at "The Junction", even Gnat Flat
.
I loved walking the single tracks downhill and getting picked up at bottom.
Hereford Meadows off of Quartz Mountain, down to frost..
.
Just pack a lunch, hunt all day, and if you get in some thick stuff in one of the drainages,  find a trail that gets your boots wet.
.

If you don't find green elk droppings and fresh tracks, pick a different drainage.
.
Again, it's been many years, but if I were to go back..
.

.I would go look for the goats above Taneum Lake just because. And drop off the backside of Frost Mountain.
.
Case knife canyon I think it is called.

[jason stevens]

I've been dreaming to pull this tag. Great bulls an great country. Don't sale your self short I've found big bulls closer to high traffic areas then hiked in. Enjoy your hunt . Enjoy!!!

[StringShot]

Well they screwed up my hunt choices, which I was wondering about from the beginning, I actually drew goose prairie!! Thanks for the info on observatory though

[Limhangerslayer]

Well they screwed up my hunt choices, which I was wondering about from the beginning, I actually drew goose prairie!! Thanks for the info on observatory though

congrats, we had a blast in there for the quality muzzy last year!