Late Archery Winston Creek 520

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

O.K. I know its a zoo, and you probably dont want more hunters here, but I am going anyways.

I am planning on hunting in Winston this November late archery. I used to hunt here about 15 years ago around the 1900 road system near Kidd Valley and along the Toutle. We used to do real good for deer, but elk were few and far between.
When they changed the regs and our east-side elk tags were no longer any good during late season we started running into elk everywhere!
I now hunt west-side for elk and decided to check Winston out for a cow this year.
My hunting buddies heard about my plans and now I have 4 guys wanting to join me.
Only 2 will have valid elk tags, but all will have deer tags.
I planned on driving down from my home which is only 1/2 hour away, but with the gang joining me I need to find a place to camp.
I plan on scouting out a spot prior to archery season and AFTER firearm elk season.
My question is could we still get in up Salmon Creek with a trailer?
Are there more locked gates? ( I hope)
If you are a Firearm hunter, could you please point me in a good direction as far as a camping spot or where you see a few fat cows hanging out after your season?
Also does anybody know the best road to get to a gate to walk in Winters Mountain or Elk Creek?

[Crunchy]

Well if you come up with some good info dont be afraid to toss me a crumb or two.  I think you will find plenty of areas to camp.  I hunted it last year, and will likely be out there this year as well. I dont know the unit very well but we didnt have a problem finding elk.  I'm gonna try to make a run down there to do some scouting in the next couple of weeks.

[rasbo]

some swamp east of winters mt are pretty good,dont know if ya can drive there anymore,been a while for me.Ive arrowed some there

[adam.WI]

that's the area I was looking at going as well. I know that there is plenty of places to camp, and will be up there during the modern season showing some guys that have never hunted around. I will let ya know if I find a couple promising places.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Funny you should mention the swamp thing, back when we used to go there we found the elk around swamps. It rained a lot and there was plenty of water around, but they still seemed to hang in the drainages. Just curious
I will let you know if I figure something out.....I think I might just head out next week and do some "bear hunting" and see how it looks.

[Bigfoot]

There should be plenty of places to park a trailer during late archery season and getting it down the roads shouldn't be a problem either.  There are lots of gates and lots of country to walk into.  As far as finding elk, as long as you don't hunt with your eyes closed, you shouldn't have a problem.  Getting a shot at the spooky *censored*s that time of year can prove a little more difficult though.  If you need any specific details about anything, get ahold of me.  I may be able to help.  Good luck.

[Bigshooter]

No problem getting a trailer up salmon creek.  But you can no longer drive from salmon creek over to the 1900 side,  because of locked gates.  If you want to go in on winters go in on the 550 line.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Thank you, that is what I was wondering.
 How far up Salmon Creek is the gate?
Is it just one gate or is it gated from the other side also?

[Bigshooter]

Thank you, that is what I was wondering.
 How far up Salmon Creek is the gate?
Is it just one gate or is it gated from the other side also?

The gate is locked a couple miles after the black top ends on salmon creek rd.  Can't remember the gravel rd. number you turn off on.  The gate on the 1900 is open on weekends during rifle season, but I don't know about archery season.  The gate is up the 1900 a few miles from the kid valley side.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

That answers my question, Thanks.
 I need to go check it out ASAP.

[Little Fish]

In recent years the gate a mile or so up the 1900 has been locked on weekdays, but opened on the weekends. I never went in during the middle of the week, but there sure was a lot of traffic on the weekends.

[Wild Bill]

I never have hunted the late season for myself (lucky, never needed to till this yr) but I have taken many a rookie/ vets retuning from the sandbox in there, and done very well. Till the "season chasers" started pouring over to archery, it was very productive, especially if you were open to shooting cows.

 Last yr was a mess. We walked in (even on the weekends) only to witness d bags attempting 70+ yard shots a elk on the move. "real good" hunters love that place!

All the lazy a$$ SOB's that like to drive around, spot from the truck, and put a stalk on while the truck is running. "Real good" archery hunters. *censored*s. 
After it switched too cows only, I'll never go back. Too many fools.

I'll go back to brush hunting in other units.

[h2ofowlr]

I believe the changed the rags to cow only for this late hunt.  Is this correct?

[carpsniperg2]

good luck

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Yes, it is cow only. I am just planning on driving down to hunt because it is only 1/2 hour from my home.
A cow would be a good supply of meat < YUM