Observatory here I come!

[JColony]

Got drawn for my first Quality Elk tag!   Going to be stomping around the Observatory from Oct 1-10th with the old smokepole.  Hunting season can't come soon enough.  Hope the wife is OK with changing all our camping plans into scouting trips.  Anybody else out there get this tag?

[JColony]

Anybody wanna share some pics of Observatory Bulls??  Just curious whats come out of there in the past.  Being that I've never connected on an elk, I'm not going to be overly selective, but would like an idea of what kind of possibilities I am looking at.  Plus, lets be honest, who doesn't like drooling over big bulls.

[coyotewallace]

that was my first choice...didnt get it! drew rimrock the same time.
good luck to you though

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Pray for snow! thats my advice

[Hilltop123]

How bout some Observatory shed.

[JColony]

Hilltop,  Thanks for posting the pic.  Those sheds are ridiculous!  I noticed you live in that area, is that size typical for that area or the exception?  Thanks again, definately getting excited for this.

[cem3434]

That is probably the typical size of a mature bull in that area.  I am sure the elk will still be rutting the first week of October, so you should have a great hunt. 

I went in there after last season and got on the elk a couple of different times.  There were a couple 330"-360" studs in there.  I also heard of a couple pigs that were pushing 400", but I never seen them myself.

Scout, scout and scout some more because you will probably never have that tag again! Good luck and shoot straight.

[JColony]

Cem,
Man, you got my heart pumping with that response!  I can only wish to be so lucky to have an opportunity at a 350" bull.  My buddy and I (who drew an Umtanum Cow tag) are already planning a few trips over that way to do some scouting.  The hope is to be able to set up camp on the border of the two units to he's by his tag and i can go either way.  We're looking at an area around the 1701 S.E of Manastash lake.  From good old Google Earth, looks like it might have some promising land near by. 

[JColony]

T-minus 2 weeks and counting!  Headed out after today to go do some scouting.  Hoping to be able to get my eyes on some bulls.  The buzzer rings at 3:30, then its into the truck for drive west.  Man, this hunt can't come quick enough!!!

[losdaddy7]

Good luck!  You have a great tag.  I would only suggest patience...  I see monster bulls every year in Observatory, but have never been drawn for a tag.....  You WILL cross paths with them.

[nailbender]

Good tag.. heres my 09 bull from there. 407 gross  Have fun and good luck to ya!

[Recurve-Elk]

I saw a huge 6x6, raghorn 5x5, and a 2x3 this season.  All with in 20 yards... Did I have a branched permit? No, last year I did haha. 

[cem3434]

I saw a huge 6x6, raghorn 5x5, and a 2x3 this season.  All with in 20 yards... Did I have a branched permit? No, last year I did haha.

Did you get a bull last year?

[Recurve-Elk]

Nope, none in range, but I had a very good looking 5x5 at about 70 yards.  I think it grew to the 6x6 I saw this year. 

[elkonastick]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,79581.0.html
these came from there also