Elk in the Dark Divide?!

[A-Dawg-Archer]

Hello everyone,

First post and thought I would get into the some Elk talk!

The Williams Mine Fire shut down Archery Elk Plan A. Pivoted to plan B and spent a few day trips scouting up in the Dark Divide Area of 560 near badger lake down to Snyder Pasture. I thought I could easily ride my bicycle in the ORV trail.. not so easy. But between tire and tread I have found that the country is steep, deep and thick. Did not see any fresh Elk Sign. I am thinking of maybe patrolling the forest roads in that area by bike and trying to locate elk that way.. not to sure. Saw it was gated off at the Elk Pass coming from the North side. But not sure what is effected on the southern end and how far people can get up in trucks. I was the only person up there.

Plan C was to look at the Winston area of 520. Never been in there, but research says to try around Crazy man Mtn.  Seems like lots of gated areas?

Plan D is to look at Long Island 699! there is some mystery to going over by boat and possibly seeing Elk on a beach! Plan D is starting to look like plan A late at night. 

Well I guess I was hoping to just start hearing people talk about these places and hear some insights/ stories. I only have 2 days of scouting time left and I am trying to prioritize. I will be able to hunt from Sep 7- 15 and I am looking to stay away from people when possible. I like being alone with just my bow and my thoughts. This will be my first year for Archery Elk.
Thanks for engaging gents!

[b0bbyg]

Don't have many thoughts to add, been too busy to scout much.

Been watching the Williams mine fire wondering which way the fire and smoke were heading and how the smoke would affect nearby areas

Hoping to get out this weekend and wander around checking some areas. Several units changed to bull only, wonder how that will affect hunter numbers

[spin05]

Tried to do that Dark Divide about 12 or 15 years ago. Over ran with dirt bikers while we where there. Not a bad thing if you have one too. We however did not.

[A-Dawg-Archer]

Looks like the fire is heading south along the mountain and so it all the smoke, It went up high early on and stayed aloft. Smoke did not seem to effect the area to much, but it closed the wilderness and a lot of areas. Friend in Goldendale can see the smoke but the wind has kept it moving south. 

As for dirt-bikes... I could see the merit in having one for that trail. I am tempted to bring mine up to scout a bit deeper but still on the fence.

[Rugergunsite308]

Don't forget the 560 changed to 3pt or better only this year. No Cows. I also second the large presence of dirt-bikers. Havent seen an elk in there before but lots of sign.   And I've done long island in the late season before. Very wet, very thick, and very cool! Be sure to tie off your boat or raft or drag it into the timber. all the grass is flooded at high tide. Came back to our raft after a day of hunting and it had moved as far away as the rope allowed, and that was after dragging it up 6ft from water level at the time we crossed.

[A-Dawg-Archer]

Don't forget the 560 changed to 3pt or better only this year. No Cows. I also second the large presence of dirt-bikers. Havent seen an elk in there before but lots of sign.   And I've done long island in the late season before. Very wet, very thick, and very cool! Be sure to tie off your boat or raft or drag it into the timber. all the grass is flooded at high tide. Came back to our raft after a day of hunting and it had moved as far away as the rope allowed, and that was after dragging it up 6ft from water level at the time we crossed.

Rugergunsite308- Thanks for the reply. Curious about Long Island, do you recall if the center road on the island was bikeable? I have a crummy old sit-on-top kayak that would make the journey across to the island, and I would love to take the bike with to get around faster. I might be going over to scout it out in the next few weeks.  Good to know about the grass, Id love to hear more about the trip!

[Rugergunsite308]

The road was very passable. Its was well graveled. We saw a bear cross that road while hunting. The road was actually fairly steep in places. My buddy and I launched our raft and parked it at the south end of the island and worked our way along the road to the north where the island gets skinny. Then we cut east into an oldgrowth cedar reserve and got into a couple cows. Then I had the bright idea to cut back in a straight line to where we parked the raft instead of hitting the road. Got into a couple more elk but in places the brush was so thick I would travel only 100 yds in an hour. Fun crazy place to hunt. never been to the north side of the island though.

[A-Dawg-Archer]

That sounds like a fun trip. Good to know about the road, might be worth bringing the bike then as a means to get around quick. I don't know how much I like the idea of jungle thick brush to walk through. But it does seem like it could present a fun challenge.

[Rugergunsite308]

Parts of the island were very open, 50 plus yds of visibility. Some were just choked out hell holes. I was just stubborn and kept trying to go in a straight line instead of diverting my course back to the road.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have not hunted the island myself, but have talked to several that have.
And seen elk feed out into the open from the mainland.
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I hunt Bear River and Williams Creek, but have met a few successful hunters at the fuel station in Naselle.
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It's worth a look, but I'm not sure if I would bring a bike.
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There are more productive areas on the mainland for bike riders.
Almost everything is gated early season.

[Feathernfurr]

I gotta stop reading this thread, visions of hauling out a bull on my boat are causing me to lose sleep 😂

[Rugergunsite308]

Oh! also don't forget if you want to camp on the island its by permit only. I think they fill up fast for the general season

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Actually if I was going to paddle a canoe or kayak anywhere it would be up Ellsworth Slough as far upstream as you can during a high tide.
Bear River unit 681.
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They decommissioned the road that follows the creek years ago so the trail is overgrown and a pita.
But if you wanted to find a spot that few people go...
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The gated roads get a lot of traffic, but the one on top of the ridge to the east just follows the powerlines.
The one in the bottom takes a turn to the west on the other ridge (again powerlines)
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Property is owned by Nature Conservancy and they are hunter friendly.
The ones I have met have been extremely helpful.
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I actually take a walk in there every year just to visit the old growth trees.
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But my walk is the powerlines on top of ridge behind the gate.
I would love to hunt the bottom with a way out.
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If you talk to any locals they will tell you about seeing the elk in the bottom, with no way to get to them if you did shoot one.
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Let alone getting one out.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I gotta stop reading this thread, visions of hauling out a bull on my boat are causing me to lose sleep 😂

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Inflatable rafts to tow behind would make that a much easier job than my back.

[Feathernfurr]

I love a big game hunt by boat. It’s possibly one of my most enjoyed methods.

[A-Dawg-Archer]

You know, I had a plan to go back to 560 and spend more time scouting. But the more everyone talks, the more I keep getting my kayak ready.
I guess Ill have to go out and look at the area! I have never gone for coastal elk before, does the rut occur about the same time in early Sept or do they get rutty later or earlier?

[Rugergunsite308]

How'd the season go A Dog? I'm thinking of hitting long island for opener

[b0bbyg]

Boating over day of?

[Lucky1]

Don't forget the 560 changed to 3pt or better only this year. No Cows. I also second the large presence of dirt-bikers. Havent seen an elk in there before but lots of sign.   And I've done long island in the late season before. Very wet, very thick, and very cool! Be sure to tie off your boat or raft or drag it into the timber. all the grass is flooded at high tide. Came back to our raft after a day of hunting and it had moved as far away as the rope allowed, and that was after dragging it up 6ft from water level at the time we crossed.

Rugergunsite308- Thanks for the reply. Curious about Long Island, do you recall if the center road on the island was bikeable? I have a crummy old sit-on-top kayak that would make the journey across to the island, and I would love to take the bike with to get around faster. I might be going over to scout it out in the next few weeks.  Good to know about the grass, Id love to hear more about the trip!

I would check the rules about using a bicycle on the island. If I remember right, they were not allowed when I hunted out there about 17 years ago.

[Rugergunsite308]

Well plans changed BobbyG. Based on tides looks like we'd have to leave the island about 1pm to not risk getting stuck overnight. Gonna push that trip to the weekend when tides are more favorable.

[Sundance]

Don't underestimate that island, the tides, the rain, and the ability to cross muddy sloughs. It's a cool place, I'd argue its more of an "experience hunt" vs a volume of animals.