Watershed Tag (NEED HELP/INFO)

[hunter-4-life]

Hey guys and gals. My buddy drew a Watershed elk tag this year. Since yesterday when he had found out that it was official he has been on the phone trying to get maps and other info on the unit. He has heard something that he was wondering if it was true or not. He was told by someone that he can't take the one person allowed to go with you in until he has shot the elk. If anybody could help with any kind of info that would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has pics of the unit or harvested elk that is always cool to see and get you fired up about. Thanks

[YellowDog]

Are you talking about a disabled permit?

[Woodchuck]

oh man, your buddy should have done some research before he put in for that tag. it is by no means a gimme, although there are some bruisers in there. he needs to get a hold of the forest service now and get all the rules for that area, scouting wont do much good, can only stand on the road and look off into the great beyond

[hunter-4-life]

No. The quality Bull Elk tag. Its definitely not a disabled hunt. lol

[hunter-4-life]

Well I mean you really can't know much about it other than here say from those who have actually been fortunate enough to draw the tag. He was aware of the rule saying you can't enter the unit until opening day. But thanks for the advice. really appreciate it.

[Woodchuck]

he also has to get be seen going in and coming out each day at a specific time. and yes i believe has to go alone unless he has something down, then can have a helper, if you are the helper, i suggest you develop a bad back between now and then

[MHWASH]

The helper can only go in after the kill. I recommend going in through the west side. Go up Blacksnake ridge out of Dixie. There used to be access through the written permission program right on the edge of the boundry.

[HUNT]

As of last year you could take one person with you as long as they were basically by your side the whole time.  Then you can take 3 people with you to pack out.  You must pack everything out within 48 hours, which can be a real chore in that unit.  

This hunt is no gimme by any means.  Be in the best shape of your life!

[MHWASH]

he also has to get be seen going in and coming out each day at a specific time.

 Unless they have changed the rules, this is not the case. I don't remember who, but they will send you an info packet. The permit from the USFS must be on your possesion. I was suprised when, out in the middle of nowhere, the permit rider showed up to check our permits.

[Woodchuck]

i may be mistaken, that is info told to me by my brother in law when he went in some 10 or more years back 

[HUNT]

Most guys will see the forest service guy every day.  Those are the guys that don't go very deep into the watershed, which most of them don't.  

[HUNT]

i may be mistaken, that is info told to me by my brother in law when he went in some 10 or more years back 

They changed some of the rules for the Watershed Permit last year.

[hunter-4-life]

Lol. Yeah I am not sure who will be his pack rat. His brother might be the lucky one. Ok. Well I guess he will wait to get something in the mail on the pack. As far as the rule of bringing somebody in and having them be by your side where did you read that at. And about the being able to take 3 in with you to help pack out your kill.

[Woodchuck]

not to sound like a *censored*, but have him get on the phone to wdfw and the forest service himself, right now, and get the facts for himself, as proven by me a few posts ago, there can be some poor info handed out with good intention and not trying to steer him wrong. i will tell you this for sure, if he screws up in the watershed they will crucify him, they do not play with watershed rules

[jackelope]

HUNT might know the rules too...
just thinkin...

[hunter-4-life]

He has already been down here to the local WDFW and they couldn't give him any info regarding rules, maps and ect...

[Woodchuck]

Alot of the entry and people allowed and time rules are forest service rules, those are also the guys who will do most of the patrolling

[jackelope]

WDFW is not the ones to talk to...Forest Service!!!

[HUNT]

You need to call the City of Walla Walla.  They have a caretaker hired to watch over the Watershed. 

WDFW doesnt know much about it, believe it or not.

[Woodchuck]

oh goody the city of walla walla, that will be an exercise in futility, enjoy that 

[HUNT]

oh goody the city of walla walla, that will be an exercise in futility, enjoy that 

 

Sounds like you have some experience with them. 

[Woodchuck]

a time or two 

[HUNT]

Don't get caught trying to enter the Watershed before the hunt.  They patrol the trail often.  If they catch you with one foot inside the boundary you WILL be banned from entry into the Watershed and lose your hunt for the year.  They don't give any warnings. 

[Austrian Hunter]

Wow, interesting.  Not trying to get of subject but what is the Watershed unit and why is it so secret/mysterious

[jackelope]

It's down in the Blues and it's the watershed for the city of Walla Walla so restrictions are extreme.

[HUNT]

Mysterious --  I like it!   

[Austrian Hunter]

Oh, OK. found some interesting read on other sites and this pic, supposedly a watershed bull.

[hunter-4-life]

That's a good looking bull. Can't wait till I can draw the tag. But for now will just have to live vicariously through my friend.

[HUNT]

Oh, OK. found some interesting read on other sites and this pic, supposedly a watershed bull.

     

[Austrian Hunter]

Oh, OK. found some interesting read on other sites and this pic, supposedly a watershed bull.

     

I found it on Ifish.net site.  BS maybe, still a nice bull though

[HUNT]

That is a great bull! 

[MtnMuley]

My advice on the watershed:  Go as deep as possible to still be able to make it out at night.  Deeper = Better bulls.

[Hoythunter]

I drew the tag 3 years ago.  Needless to say it is real knee-knocking country.  Steep and rugged doesn't describe it.  With all of that being said, be in the best shape of your life and pray for mild weather.  I accessed the shed from some of the top areas and after the first 2 days the snow came in and that was it.  Feel free to PM me if you'd like and I will be happy to share specifics with you.  I swore that I would never put in for that tag again.....however, after drawing it I think I'm now addicted and want redemption.  I found myself applying for it again and will do so in the future or until I start having gray hair.  I spoke with the head of FW out of Dayton/Walla Walla area and he was a wealth of information.  I'm not sure what the rules are now but when I drew it I had to go in solo and could only bring one other person (not including mules/horses) in with me to pack out game.  You won't have problems seeing elk, its just a matter of getting to them and killing one.  Then, well, you know....the real work begins.  Good luck

[firefighter4607]

Watershed isnt a easy tag for sure!!! Horses will save you alot. as it was already said your buddy will get  a packet from the US forest service I heard they changed the rule about the one guy. The main officer when I got drawn a few years back was Able Garica(sp) he walks the whole watershed on a daily basis he will find you if you shoot one. He some how found me when I got one. He said he heard the shot from a few miles away. You do need to have your permit from the US forest service and wdfw on you at all times. They are pretty cool people if you get to know them I will post my story link when I get home and aslo post some pictures

[hunter-4-life]

OK. Well I really appreciate all the info you guys are giving me. I will definitely keep you all posted and if more questions arise I will ask.

[firefighter4607]

This is the thread that HUNT had last year lots of good information.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28663.0.html
Here is my story http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,14840.msg167354.html#msg167354

Here are some pictures of my elk. It was 4 years ago thought. If you need any more help PM me and I will try to help the best I can.

[Pathfinder101]

I'll tell you my one rule:  I would get real friendly with someone that owns horses or mules between now and opening day.  You can't spend the night inside the 'shed, so most guys will camp with their stock right at the edge, ride in to a point in the dark every morning, hobble the horses and hunt from there, then ride out at dark. It's hard to penetrate very deep into the 'shed on a day-hike without stock.
 Even if you don't hunt with horses, I would try to get one or two for packing out.
Good luck, it's still a great tag.

[HUNT]

I hunted the shed and packed it out on my back.  You better be in great shape!  Most guys who have the permit give up after the second day.  From the third day on I didnt see anyone inside the shed.  Passed a few guys sitting on the edge looking in and eating a candy bar.   


If you have horses or can borrow some - great!  But we beat the horse guys in every day (they couldn't believe it), but you better get up early and headlamp it in.  Again - you better be in great shape ready to put on 10 or more miles a day, every day.  I can't stress being in great shape enough. 

You can't hire a packer to pack out your meat.  No one is commercially licensed to pack out, so don't even think about hiring anyone.  The caretaker will nab ya.   

[Austrian Hunter]

Hunt,
How did your hunt turned out in the Shed, i read your thread but it stopped on page six with no ending I assume from your post above that you killed one? 

[WASHBCBOOK]

WHY DONT PEOPLE CHECK ON UNITS BEFORE APPLYING

[HUNT]

Hunt,
How did your hunt turned out in the Shed, i read your thread but it stopped on page six with no ending I assume from your post above that you killed one? 

Yep --  killed a little raghorn.   

[Austrian Hunter]

Hunt,
How did your hunt turned out in the Shed, i read your thread but it stopped on page six with no ending I assume from your post above that you killed one? 

Yep --  killed a little raghorn.   

Yea rite,  Awesome Bull!!!   

[bear]

I know a group of guys that went 5 for 5 in there last year.  They had horses and still said it was one of the toughest hunts they've ever been on physically.