Master Hunter elk permits - pumice plains

[GOcougsHunter]

I pulled the master hunter pumice plain permit.  Looking forward to going true backcountry in the monument to see areas that no one really gets to see.  Have spent a bunch of time on top of, on, and around the mountain.  This will be a very unique and special opportunity.   Anyone else pull this permit?

[fish-on37]

Cow tag?

[GOcougsHunter]

Yes... Not designed to be a trophy hunt.  Territory is remarkable and the permit allows off trail hiking.  Otherwise it is a $100 fine.  Looking forward to bringing my good camera as well and just being able to get into an area that I've never been able to see up close.  (only from the summit, the trail and from the observatory)

[fish-on37]

Hunted the toutle last archery season, so I spent some time looking in there drooling. All I can say is good luck getting past all the bulls. Should be a great time.

[Skinnyman]

That will be a very cool hunt!! I put in for that one as well, but got the "not selected". Should be pretty cool!!

[sneakyjake]

I hunted on the border last year and that is a very short hunt if you are looking for meat.  Have fun.

[CP]

I put in as for both PP hunts but came up empty.  How many points did you have?

[CrazeyBird]

My dad drew this tag a couple of years ago.  He got a nice 6X7, I was able to tag along!  Did the MH program last year, and was lucky enough to get drawn this year for the hunt.  Will be nice to go back!

[GOcougsHunter]

I have many years of "not selected" for all game species...
I had (have) 7 points (applied to all the different special elk options) and drew this one.  Really looking forward to it.  I do have a particular knack for clearing areas out of their resident animals, however.  Giving me a special permit tends to guarantee late/early snowfall, fire closure, or maybe an eruption?  hoping not...

[sagerat]

I had the tag last year and didn't kill one. Mainly because I didn't want to pack out a cow the distance required. You'll get one if you have the desire to pack one out. If you would like details or have questions shoot me a PM. What I'd like to know is why both hunts are now antlerless only? It certainly isn't for lack of bulls.

[buckhorn2]

I was up there today my friend has a mud flow bull tag in september for disability I have look down from the toutle side and seen bulls laying out by the river. They give him a key and he can drive in or take a 4 wheeler. Anyone know where the gate is he had 14 points and also got margret cow.

[HntnFsh]

Its the 3100 gate.Its just before the visitor center.

[bobcat]

What I'd like to know is why both hunts are now antlerless only? It certainly isn't for lack of bulls.

They eliminated all the bull permits for master hunters this year. Something about they didn't meet the intent of the master hunter program.

[lilswab]

What I'd like to know is why both hunts are now antlerless only? It certainly isn't for lack of bulls.

They eliminated all the bull permits for master hunters this year. Something about they didn't meet the intent of the master hunter program.

The master hunter program has been going on for years and they decide to do this now!  A huge frustration.      Had to vent.  I have spent my time and money to get a better chance at a bull and now they take it away.   

[GOcougsHunter]

Sagerat... PM sent (I think) would love to hear details.

[sneakyjake]

Just a little curious, do those animals move from where they are during archery elk?  I would like to hike in and show my daughter and I would  have more free time in Oct.

[GOcougsHunter]

Just got back from the MH pumice plains cow elk hunt.  Saw close to 200 elk total.  One of the most challenging/unique/exciting hunts I've ever experienced.  Shot her 6.5 miles from the trailhead.  That trail involved crossing the Toutle in chest waders and then gaining 1500 ft in elevation.  It rained at least 3 to 4 inches that day and then snowed the following day when we packed out the meat.  Hiked and packed over 30 miles. No game carts, bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed.   
 
Hunted with another MH and his buddy who I met the day before the hunt while doing the last part of recon.  He got his cow exactly at the same time I did..  (we did the 1,2,3... shoot)  Quality guy.. Will post his pic if he gives permission.

[Little Fish]

Nice. Sounds like a fun experience. The best hunts usually aren't the easy ones.

[bobcat]

Cool. That looks like a very big cow!

[GOcougsHunter]

Biggest cow I've ever seen. I am 6'2" and 205 lbs.  We thought that the other cow harvested by the other MH was a 2.5 yr old before we shot.  When we got up to the cows, his cow was normal sized.

[pods8]

Nice hog of a cow!  What do you suppose the boned out weight was?

[chad s.]

Congrats, on one hawg of a cow! I leave in the morning for my Upper Smith Creek Cow hunt; hopefully, pics coming soon.
Chad S.

[hogsniper]

Wow that thing is a monster!   congrat on what sounded like a great hunt!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Wow that cow s huge! 

[GOcougsHunter]

Pulled the early Pumice Plain hunt again!  Gonna spend the first day takin' pictures instead of tagging out in the first 3 hours.

[fish-on37]

I also drew

[BOWHUNTER45]

Sounds like a guy will have to work for it  good luck ...hope you guys the best of luck !

[wannahunt]

I've been putting in for that but no luck yet. i did get the region 3 MH hunt thou. Probably need to quit putting in for the other MH hunts and get my points up so I can get pumice plains. good luck to ya. I'll have to hope for a call on my hunt. Hope you have some friends that want to down into the hole with you. i think you can take up to three people with you off the trails if my memory is correct.

[plugger]

this is the 3rd year of no bull tags for master hunters. Thats why i am no longer in that program. I value my spare time more than the WDFW does. Its A good program if your retired and dont mind waiting around hoping they call so you can go shot a cow in a field (Most hunts). But if your time is limited and you have to chose between regular season or a phone call, well i would stay as far away from the program as you can.

[bowhunterty]

One of the big resons why I didn't complete the MH program. Needs to be some quality bull tags for MH. My buddy gat the cow tag in there. Will be a good hunt. When he had the Toutle tag we went in along the boundry and watched a pretty good show til the fog moved in.

[GOcougsHunter]

I guess it all depends on your motivation for entering the program.  Personally, this hunt has all the grueling aspects of a typical elk hunt with absolutely no hunting pressure.  I took a buddy on the first trip who had never been big game hunting and now he's hooked.  Great part of this year's permit is I get to take my 12 year old son and introduce to him a 100% no hunting pressure elk hunt.  He will earn his stripes packing in... and packing out.   Can't think of a better scenario to take a kid hunting and teach them "the ropes."

Any of you guys out there on these meat hunts should take a newbie with you and let's grow this sport!

[Bob33]

What I'd like to know is why both hunts are now antlerless only? It certainly isn't for lack of bulls.

They eliminated all the bull permits for master hunters this year. Something about they didn't meet the intent of the master hunter program.

The bull / any elk permits were eliminated starting with the 2010 season.

[wannahunt]

I guess it all depends on your motivation for entering the program.  Personally, this hunt has all the grueling aspects of a typical elk hunt with absolutely no hunting pressure.  I took a buddy on the first trip who had never been big game hunting and now he's hooked.  Great part of this year's permit is I get to take my 12 year old son and introduce to him a 100% no hunting pressure elk hunt.  He will earn his stripes packing in... and packing out.   Can't think of a better scenario to take a kid hunting and teach them "the ropes."

Any of you guys out there on these meat hunts should take a newbie with you and let's grow this sport!

Good point on taking a newbie on one these hunts. I did it two years ago on my master cow hunt. the guy is hooked now. The MH should not be about trophy hunts. They should be about helping teh elk herd.  My thought anyway.

[GOcougsHunter]

Round 2 (2 years later)  200+ elk.  Spotted over 100 bulls (literally).  This cow was standing 8 feet from a ridiculous 7 X 7.  The best part of this strenuous hunt was that my 12 year old boy came along to participate.  3+ inches of rain in 6 hours. Toughest 12 year old on the planet!

[GOcougsHunter]

Oh yeah... 24 hours earlier we were in EWA with a few limits of ducks.

[dvolmer]

this is the 3rd year of no bull tags for master hunters. That's why i am no longer in that program. I value my spare time more than the WDFW does. Its A good program if your retired and don't mind waiting around hoping they call so you can go shot a cow in a field (Most hunts). But if your time is limited and you have to chose between regular season or a phone call, well i would stay as far away from the program as you can.

Good quote.  Every time I bash the MH program I get massive amount of irate people.  Once again I say the only reason 85% of the MH are in the program is to get some special permit in the "Good Old Boys" club.  all of these permits should be in the general draw for everyone.  Sure there should be some special permits for youth, disabled, and older hunters that cant get around any more.  The rest of us should be on all equal ground.  If you want to give back to the sport, do it through the number of great organizations that support your interest (RMEF, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, etc).

[BOWHUNTER45]

GoCougshunter...thats sweet ...looks like your son enjoyed hunting with dad 

[pianoman9701]

I had the tag last year and didn't kill one. Mainly because I didn't want to pack out a cow the distance required. You'll get one if you have the desire to pack one out. If you would like details or have questions shoot me a PM. What I'd like to know is why both hunts are now antlerless only? It certainly isn't for lack of bulls.

It's because the MH hunts aren't to take away trophy animals. They're to reduce herd numbers by taking out cows in high damage areas.

[Bob33]

this is the 3rd year of no bull tags for master hunters. That's why i am no longer in that program. I value my spare time more than the WDFW does. Its A good program if your retired and don't mind waiting around hoping they call so you can go shot a cow in a field (Most hunts). But if your time is limited and you have to chose between regular season or a phone call, well i would stay as far away from the program as you can.

Good quote.  Every time I bash the MH program I get massive amount of irate people.  Once again I say the only reason 85% of the MH are in the program is to get some special permit in the "Good Old Boys" club.  all of these permits should be in the general draw for everyone.  Sure there should be some special permits for youth, disabled, and older hunters that cant get around any more.  The rest of us should be on all equal ground.  If you want to give back to the sport, do it through the number of great organizations that support your interest (RMEF, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, etc).

Everyone is on equal ground. If you want the opportunity, you can join the program.

It's been pointed out that "It's a good program if your retired and don't mind waiting around hoping they call so you can go shot a cow in a field (Most hunts)", so what you are losing anyway?

[CP]

Good job – GoCougs.   

I had that permit last season and GoCougs was nice enough to give me some advice, glad that you pulled it again.  Truly awesome experience and a very strenuous hunt.   

[pianoman9701]

this is the 3rd year of no bull tags for master hunters. That's why i am no longer in that program. I value my spare time more than the WDFW does. Its A good program if your retired and don't mind waiting around hoping they call so you can go shot a cow in a field (Most hunts). But if your time is limited and you have to chose between regular season or a phone call, well i would stay as far away from the program as you can.

Good quote.  Every time I bash the MH program I get massive amount of irate people.  Once again I say the only reason 85% of the MH are in the program is to get some special permit in the "Good Old Boys" club.  all of these permits should be in the general draw for everyone.  Sure there should be some special permits for youth, disabled, and older hunters that cant get around any more.  The rest of us should be on all equal ground.  If you want to give back to the sport, do it through the number of great organizations that support your interest (RMEF, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, etc).

The program has changed massively in the last two or three years. It's not about the tags or there would be trophy bull opportunities. If you don't want to do the work and get involved, don't. But don't bash a program that accomplishes great things for a great many people, of which, it's obvious, you know little. I'd be happy to share the difference it's made in my life and that of others if you're interested. But, I have no interest is arguing with someone who is arguing back from a point of ignorance to what's really happening. Please PM me for more info.