Matheny GMU Quality Elk tags

[Coastal_native]

Did anyone draw one of the three quality elk tags for the Matheny GMU?  Do you know anyone who did? Just curious about the success.  I accidently drove up on a dandy of a bull on Oct. 1st and ended up chasing him to an area where people were hunting...hopefully I helped fill a tag.  That ridge was hot this year during the latter part of the rut...when those bulls come of out of the Park to rut up on the ridges it can make for a great opportunity at a trophy Roosevelt.  It's not easy hunting though. 

[dreamunelk]

All tagged out.  Two are  of mature bulls, 1 I seen pics of and the other I got to look at.  He was very old and regressing.  Not huge horned but, very unique, horn starting to web and crowned.  Harvested by an older guy who was absolutely thrilled with the hunt and the elk he harvested. the third I have not seen but, heard it was a nice bull.

[Coastal_native]

Any idea what part of the GMU they were coming from...I was on the east end up by higley.  I'm glad to see that area produces trophy quality animals for people, it's kind of a gem for people who have the ability to hunt the rut.  Hard work though. 

Do we know each other, I feel like I know someone else who uses that same "dreamunelk" name in their email address?

[dreamunelk]

Very possible,  to my knowledge I am the only one that uses it.  There are some variations. I am in the Grayland area.  You? 
I am curious now.

The OP has a lot of elk for the habitat.  The Matheny is a good unit for the people that can travel it on foot or gets the golden tag. However, it is not the unit for some one who can't hike some rough country and are not willing to pack an elk a few miles though some nasty conditions. Not a huge amount of elk, the habitat isn't such that it can feed a lot but they are there.   Hard to access and close to the park so elk get the chance to get old and big.  Always nice to see an old regressing bull.  To me it means we are not over harvesting and a few get to die (well almost) of old age.

I think the two I know of were harvested on the north side near the Queets/ Park line on DNR.  Can't remember the road number.  The other I am not sure.  Younger guy so he may have burned some boot sole and went in deep.

[Coastal_native]

I'm from the North Beach area,

The Dreamunelk I know, I had worked with briefly in the past doing ESA habitat assessments for a tribe.  He passed on a wildlife mgmt textbook to me at one point but I've since left the wildlife business.  I think he was from the Grayland area at one point.  Could be a cooincidence though...He also is recovering from a pretty bad injury still?

Good assessment of the matheny area.

[Falcon]

I had the tag in 08.

Great area, but like its been said, rough steep country.

Hunted it hard, passed up a 5x6 at 30 ft the first day. Had an opportunity at a huge herd bull on day 5.
Ended up shooting a decent 5 pt on day 8 3 miles in.

No regrets on this hunt.

Hope I draw it before my age truly catches up with me.

[billythekidrock]

God, has it been that long already? 

[dreamunelk]

Yup, we know each other.  How the hec are you?  So does the Barbie Car still run?

[Coastal_native]

Falcon,

Great Bull in the pic, sounds like you had a pretty good experience up there...but I'd like to see the trophy room of a guy who passes on a 5x6 roosevelt...stop bragging already


Dreamunelk,

I'm doing pretty good, but what the heck are you doing hiding out on a forum like this...I'm gonna have to watch what I say.  Are you getting around good now...hunting?  Whats the deal?  I was out with Daniel last year during early archery and he told me you were up in that area too.  We had a bull going good up there one day, but we were affraid to go after it because we thought he was in the park, turns out he was fair game.  He'll be back in town soon, if you're around during late archery, we'll all have to get together and trade war stories.  Our x-fearless leader is trying to convince me to go out with him during late buck...I think I'll let him know you are looking for a hunting partner too.  

Funny thing...the barbie car is still being passed around.

[dreamunelk]

Falcon,
Nice bull, you earned it, 3 mile pack!  One of these days I may actually get that tag!

Coastal Native
I get around okay.  I will never run the hills like I use to.  Takes me an hour to cover what I use to cover in 15 minutes.  So I am limited. But, I hunt elk so I am working on new tactics. 
I hunted up there again this year.  Passed up a rag on opening thinking he would soon be replaced by a bigger one.  Than work got in the way.  By the time I got back they had moved into an area I couldn't get into.  I may be up there in late season or go chase a cow some place else.  it would be fun to get together and hunt and catch up.  How is Daniel?  He back from the water?
Seen some reel nice mature bulls this year and while working up there recently seen a couple that would make the big "T" drool.  We will have to talk I will try and show you the areas I have been seeing them.  Still some groceries in the area.  If the MF hunters don't move them out, which I doubt they will if my experience serves me correct they should be in the area.  I have to say it is very, very nasty!  I wouldn't shoot one up there unless I had a few people willing to pack for me and them pack me out after I tag it.
I will be up there working Friday.
Funny story, I was working up there and seen one of the big ones. Thought I passed one of the guy's with one of the golden tags for that GMU.  So i turned around and track him down.  Was going to tell him where I saw it.  But, he was quite snotty and was convinced the locals were correct on what happened to all the elk.  Well I figured he did not need my advice and went back to work.  The Bull was about 50 yards of the road with his cows when I went buy again.  Don't know if he had the tag or not.  Never really got the chance to ask. He may have been scouting or ?
Daniel should have my contact info. track me down when late season comes around. 

And yes I post on here occasionally but, mostly like to lurk some interesting stuff but, you know.............

[Coastal_native]

It's good to know you've slowed down...it's probably made you sneakier.  Daniel will be back in a week or two, but he's probably gonna need to dust off his bow and practice before he heads out in the woods again. 

Bulls that will make the big "T" drool?  He's had about the worst season ever, he lets his boys do most of the shooting now.  Sounds like you're getting to know that area pretty good...don't share any info with me, I've got a big mouth.  I don't stray too far from the QIR any more, but that area to the north and east has caught my interest the last few years.  Elk can only get so big in those lowland cedar swamps...I'd love to harvest one of those black-racked mountain giants some day...who wouldn't? 

When I drove up on that big one this year I was going to stalk in to the area he had his herum, but when I got to the begining of the road system that went back in there, there was a white toyota pick up w/ black canopy and WA elk license plate parked there already.  I didn't know about the tags at the time...I thought there may have been a muzzle loader season so I backed off as to not disrupt the hunt.  I had to have bumped them elk right back to them.  Thats why I started this thread...to find out.  I called in two nice ones the day before too (two different areas), but I had my wife and kid with me and we were just out for an afternoon drive in the mountains.

I'll pack for you any day...it'll only cost you all of your tenderloins.

[dreamunelk]

Seen a pick of the third bull from the Matheny.  Nice mature 5x6.