340 Manastash

[iRem]

I posted in another tread that I will be taking my family out for a hike and I am looking to do some pre scouting for Mule Deer. I have not been in the Manastash area for a few years and I was wondering how the population is for that Hunt. The last time I hunted it was 10+ years ago with modern firearm and now I hunt with a bow. I'm pretty sure I know where (Quartz/Peaches Ridge?) I'm going to go but wanted to get some feed back on the Mule Deer Population. Like said it's been a long time, but did pretty well back in the day. Any thoughts or info desired? Thanks, Paul

[Elkrunner]

It is not anything like it was 10 years ago.  The louse problem did some pretty good damage.  I have noticed that it is slowly rebounding. 

[dupedc]

iREM,
You may want to check the road access before you head over there with your family.

[iRem]

iREM,
You may want to check the road access before you head over there with your family.

that's right, I read some where on one of the postings that the road was closed and only open to those that live in the area, thanks for the heads up

[huntindork]

It is closed and so is the taneum rd! Large floods washed out the road! There was a sherrif sitting on the mouth of the canyon memorial day weekend making sure people did not go pass the barriers!

[iRem]

I wonder how much snow is still up there, and how long do you think it's going to last? Well I guess I'll have to find some other locations to look for game....

[dscubame]

All of the cement side moves into that area during hunting season.  Oh ya and all the motorcycles that are not hunting just making noise in the woods.  I stopped going there about 10 years ago when it was getting pretty brutal and I cannot imagine how it would be now.  Beautiful area however.

[denali]

It is not anything like it was 10 years ago.  The louse problem did some pretty good damage.  I have noticed that it is slowly rebounding.

    well put

[bobcat]

Look at last year's harvest report- not good. Modern firearm season shows a 7% success rate. 1,135 hunters and they took 84 bucks, with 58 days hunted per kill. I'd hunt somewhere else, unless you just like going for the scenery.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The guys I used to hunt with up there have been seeing a few more "legal" bucks every year, still not like it was before (10 years ago) but the few you do find are fairly respectable.
IMO, not worth the trip though, these guys are there for 2 weeks, but only see 4-5 deer each.

[iRem]

My only reply is 'WOW'!  I figured it out, the last time I hunted was in 1999!  I might just think about another area? 

[Kowsrule30]

I would..... My area for ML deer is better then that and the herd is about 40% lower now..... Coming back but not the same as 5 years ago................     

[Rhinoron247]

It's pretty darn quite right now in those areas.  The main roads are blocked due to the flooding and the ORV trails are closed till June 15th.  Snow is not an issue now as far as driving but there has been no trail work done and you will find lots snow in the high country. 

If your VERY familiar with the surrounding road system you can still get back in the area but it is a very very rough trip.  <hence my large bill at Les Schwab this week>.    Even with no one in there,  on our trip last weekend we saw very few deer.

[CSOUTFITTERS]

The manastash and Taneum are still closed.  The FS is talking about keeping the south fork manastash closed to entry but some of the Taneum will open.   The FS should have a decision sometime next week.  As far as deer hunting goes, they should close GMU's 340 and 342 to all deer hunting.  The deer in both units are in pretty bad shape.  I would focus my scouting efforts to somewhere else that doesnt have deer problems.   I live 10 minutes from both units and i havent deer hunted there for 7 years. 

[jechicdr]

What about elk?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

What about elk?

Elk hunting is GREAT !, unless you dont get drawn and have to find a spike..

[jechicdr]

Archery cow or spike

[Elkrunner]

Who has see success in the Manashtash early season archery hunt?  pics...let see em

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

This is an old picture (when I still used a compound)
Pictured with the "pack" my help to get him out of the woods, nothing like a little help.

[Elkrunner]

That's an awesome pic.  Do you still hunt that area?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

P.S. the guy just behind the head is Joe StCharles, son of Glenn and great guy to hunt with, no matter what weapon.

[iRem]

For the last few years I have been putting in on the wet side. It's been as long for elk that it has been for deer since I've hunted on the east side. I wish I knew before I put in for all of my permits that one of my hunting buddies wanted to hunt on the east side. This would have been a great opportunity to scout out elk and deer at the same time. I'm pretty sure that Elk population is doing very well from what I have been reading on the treads in the past!! Apparently no shortage of elk in the area!!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

That's an awesome pic.  Do you still hunt that area?

No, I came back to the west side due to wanting my family to visit, wife and kids did not like to drive that far, and I always worried (wife worries me when she drives at night  )

[iRem]

Pretty cool looking horns

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Pretty cool looking horns

Thats why we named it "The Devil Spike" 

[Elkrunner]

That's an awesome pic.  Do you still hunt that area?

No, I came back to the west side due to wanting my family to visit, wife and kids did not like to drive that far, and I always worried (wife worries me when she drives at night  )

My wife worries me when driving all the time...LOL 

[KimberRich]

What about elk?

Elk hunting is GREAT !, unless you dont get drawn and have to find a spike..

    x2

I agree.  As for the deer hunting, I rarely see deer during Elk season and that's when they're acting dumb and when they should be out cruising for does.  In the last 5 years I think I've seen one decent buck.  Like everyone else has said.. it used to be good.