muzzleloader 5065 whittier unit

[spottedhand]

I have the only muzzle bull permit for elk area 5065.  Does anyone have any success info for this area.  I have been scouting the area several times and found a couple problems with the route I have been taking into the area.  First  , the wind was always at my back the whole way in from coldwater lake.  Two, the alders have grown so thick ~5 miles in that it is virtually impossible to think of packing meat through the bottom.
I have come out across the upper part and the logs are quite a challenge with regards to packing meat.  Any thoughts ?

[JoeVon]

I'm pretty sure going over the top to pack meat out isn't an option, as most of the land has been sold and is now posted "No Tresspassing".   Coming down the bottom on the trail would be much easier in my opinon anyways.

[sagerat]

I considered applying for this one too but the access is crazy. Did you access via a boat on Coldwater?

[spottedhand]

Yes we crossed with a boat cuts out 4.5 miles   But it is another 5-6 miles to get back to where the elk are mostly concentrated.  We have  "no reason to leave except for the snowlooked at every way possible to get in there and other than coming down from 5000 ft to 3000ft.  The key word is down, because you have to haul emaybe one taken in thaverything back up.  I think the lake way is the best route.  I am only concentrating on a trophy sized animal, cuz we also have a cow permit for December so meat is not an issue.  We are going in again this weekend and will continue to do so up until the hunt.  It's tough but I doubt if I will ever draw this one again.  From what I have heard it has only been open the last 4-5 years and one taken in that time.  Talked to a helicopter tour pilot and he said there is a butload of elk that basically stay in there all of the time, I guess there is no reason to leave, food, water and cover other than the snow which is what we have decided based on the sign the further you get back in there the more recent the sign.  lower down the sign looks like from early spring and the further you get back the sign becomces more frequent and later in the spring.  We are going to give the best try possible.

[sagerat]

Sounds good to me. At least you know you're the only guy in there for a bull. I'm very interested in how it works out for you, I'm sitting on a ton of elk points