Bear River (681) vs. Williams Creek (673) for Archery...Vote!

[Elkhound]

I am finally making the switch from muzzle to archery this fall and am starting my preliminary "boots on the ground" scouting today and wanted to see what people think of the the Bear River vs. Williams Creek units....if you had to choose between them?  I ride bike, hike, do whatever it takes to find the elk......but I will also have a disabled hunter with me that can hike, just not miles and miles.  My hunting partner told me that our first choice would be for the best area and then worry about his elk later, but I would like to see your votes!  Thank you in advance....I appreciate the time.

[SkookumHntr]

Both suck!

[Curly]

You may want to make a poll.

[steelhead13]

I don't think they both suck, i know one does but the other has quiet a few elk running around in it.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

As someone who likes both areas, and I have been hunting both areas the last couple years, I guess it all depends on how much road time you wish to spend.
Camping is limited, unless you are on State land in Williams Creek.
There are more open roads, and therefore easier access in Williams Creek.
Even the Biologist reccommended Williams Creek over Bear River.
However, if you park at a gate and walk/bike into Bear River, after the first couple miles you are pretty much alone.
Lots of clear cuts in WC, not very many in BR (comparitively) but I have had no problem finding Elk in BR.
I have not hunted during late season so have not been there when the gates have been opened, and wish there was more access from the west side of unit.

[rose673]

STIKNSTRINGBOW, williams creek used to be easier to access in the past, but that will change.  Gates should be going in by the end of May and the unit will be locked up until modern firearm season, then relocked after late modern deer season. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

 
That would be awesome !
as it is, the state land gets hammered until the second week of early, when the "red signs" come down....

[Elkpiss]

Elkhound~ Alot of People access this website, we tried to tell Stinkpickle this awhile back about this unit, not a big unit and if you make that Unit Hollywood it will ruin it.. Its a very small unit and is getting over crowded every year and publisizing it over Hunt Wa is a  .. Both Units suck!..

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Stinkpickle

 
There you go with the name calling again ! 
I swear, it is not like we are sending them to a place that has the fabulous hunting like the Blues, or Colockum.
There is little to no camping, a lot of walk in areas, I still get to be the only rig parked at gates, Most of the guys that have been hunting here for a while have access to private property,....
No one is going to start hunting the area, just because some other guys are asking about it, I know I had made the decision before I asked, and have not run into ANY members while hunting there, although I have met some really cool people, that were willing to share information, and had no problems with running into too many other hunters (in the field).

[Elkhound]

Elkpiss- I guess I should have stuck to pestering people with PMs instead of opening up the topic for discussion.  I guess I might of missed the point of a "forum discussion board."  I appologize if I've pissed everyone off for asking this question.

[SkookumHntr]

How bout go check it out for yourself and see what ya like I will tell you one thing, its thick! Now lets not talk about these units, Lets keep blowing up the BLues or Clockum!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Actually, I want to know why I run into so many landowners out by Tono that complain about the Elk damaging their fences, but wont give me permission to hunt.....
But I guess it does not matter, there are not any Elk around there either....
I will continue to make my trips down to Williams Creek/Bear River, lots of access and all the blackberries and huckleberries I can eat, even if there is no Elk.

Elkhound, you probably also did not know, you are not supposed to ask about an area 6 months before season, so you get an idea of where to scout.
and actually spend time, money, and effort researching.
You are supposed to wait until the end of August, and hope someone will tell you where to go. (at least they told me where to go !, but it was too hot and crowded)