Umtanum Muzzleloader Cow Elk!!

[CedarPants]

My loving and ever so understanding wife finally came to terms with and accepted the fact that I'll be gone the first 11 days of September chasing moose in Alaska.  No sooner had this happened, and BAM - I draw a cow elk tag for the Umtanum, first week of October (I also drew a B tag for deer, December 9th - 31st.  I'll wait for better timing to talk to her about that one).

This will be my first time hunting the Umtanum and I'm pumped!  A hunting partner of mine also drew the Observatory Quality Elk tag, so I'm even more excited.  I'm legal in the Umtanum, and he's legal in the Umtanum and Manastash - so we're eyeing the Northwest corner of the Umtanum where it borders the Manastash and Naches.  Anyone have any success stories from this area? 

[C-Money]

Congrats on your tags! You guys will have a great hunt! I drew a mod cow tag in the Umtanum. Hope to do some scouting soon! Your plan sounds great! According to my map, that looks like great country!

[CedarPants]

Congrats on your tag as well C!  That will be a great hunt for you I'm sure.  I'll be out doing as much scouting as time/gas prices permit (bit of a drive from Spokane) over the next couple months - but ya I agree that upper NW corner looks like good country.  Keep me updated on your scouting trips if you'd like and I'll do the same on my end for you.  Good luck this fall!

[unluckyjohn]

I drew a manastash cow muzzy tag and my hunting partner got a umtanum cow tag. I know from years of chasing spikes in both areas that the 1701 border road gets hit very hard by 4x4ers and road hunters.

[CedarPants]

Thank you Unlucky, the feedback is much appreciated.  My plan is to set up camp on the 1701 road border but then burn some boot leather in those draws south and east of the north fork of Wenas Creek.  I've hunted the Blues several times and am hoping the Umtanum is the same in that if you get off your quad and walk a few miles away from the roads, you leave 99% of everyone else behind.  I'll absolutely take any feedback you have to heart though as this will be my first time in the Umtanum.  Thanks again, look forward to hearing from you and best of luck to you and your buddy!

[ghosthunter]

I have hunted Black powder Untanum the past 5 years. I took a spike bull last year and my buddy took a cow. Everyone in camp had a chance at a animal. We have taken 3 cows and 1 spike bull in the time we have hunted there. You will not get away from the roads. Roads are every where. The elk are not bothered by the roads . In fact after the shooting starts they hang out in the areas between roads because everyone is hunting up high on the ridges. I too have a cow tag for that area and will be there when you are there. Stop in our camp I will give some intel. Look for the Ghost Camp Sign around the 516 Rd.
Ask for Bobby.

[CedarPants]

Best info yet Ghost.  If you'd be kind enough to shoot me a PM tomorrow I'd love to chat more.

[JColony]

Can't wait man, this is gonna be an epic one!

[CedarPants]

Can't wait man, this is gonna be an epic one!

Amen to that.  I'm still trying to figure out how you pulled an Umtanum cow tag AND the Observatory bull permit??  Lucky dawg - however we'll be hunting together so I guess that makes me just as lucky for getting to be a part of it all!! 

[C-Money]

Wowza. If you go into the Umtanum on the east side in the sage, you better have a good set of off road tires and 4WD. I think I will stick to scouting on the ATV, as that was really nasty up there. The Tundra did fine, but I have passenger car tires on it right now and I was sweating. No flats thank goodness.

[youngbuckslayer]

c money did u see any elk

[C-Money]

Negative. No elk, saw a few deer. I need to figure out access closer to the timber line. There is more homes out around there than I anticipated.

[youngbuckslayer]

ya when will u be going in there again i could give u some directions to get into some timber that always hold elk

[HTN4LIFE]

Having hunted the Colockum for over twenty years, I took a chance on the Umtanum and what do you know, a cow tag the last five days of the modern season!  I too will scout extensively, speak with the regional fish and game department and garner as much preseason info as I can.   As in the same way I have always operated elk camp, all are welcome to what I can offer and am always grateful for what is shared my way as well.  Boy could I go for some diced elk heart mixed with onion, peppers, chopper potatoes, garlic.......

[C-Money]

  Sounds good! We are in the same boat, I have hunted the Quilomene for years and am now scouting Umtanum with a mod cow tag. I am very excited!