wenaha east tag

[Woodchuck]

Good luck to you man. That is a great permit. I am sure you will never forget it.

[Todd_ID]

Good luck to you!  You'll for sure make some memories!  Good, bad or ugly: you'll never forget it.  You're certainly proving stubborn enough to pull off a good hunt.  This is the first thread to go 12 pages of one-sided advice and have the decision go the other way.  I'd be the same way; I may know it required an outfitter but would still apply even if I was Top Ramen broke just for the chance to prove everyone wrong.

[Deer slayer]

All I can say is wow with two tags that could equal two elk in the hole.  Aweson country and awesome elk.  Please get in their early and do an 8 to 10 mile hike and see what we are all talking about.  Walk from teepee to the end of yearling ridge with a heavy pack and see how you feel.  Then realize your two elk could come from one of those bottoms and you know have 10 plus trips to get elk and camp out.  Good luck and kill some big ones.

[bucklucky]

Cool, Hopefully you get lucky. Keep us posted . I will be in there at some point during archery season hunting spikes with the wife 

[toyman2]

well i better get ready for a rough hunt! looks like we are doing it by foot!!!!!!

If this is your choice to go on your own, If there is a way to get some friends to hang out or be on call(stand by) that would be a big plus.
When i packed out my bull i was wishing i had someone with me at least, let alone someone who could help pack.

[Elkpiss]

Good luck dude, im guessing its a finacial thing cause i would put your pride aside, and i totally understand the finacial thing, but im a elk freak and have hunted some crazy $hit but to get a elk out of the east on you back in the snow possibly and 2 elk for that matter, may god be with you brother and im not religious... it will be a memorable hunt to say the least however you do your hunt.. 

[BENCHLEG]

we all wish you luck. no guts no glory

[6x6in6]

Got to admit, you and your hunting partner have some serious stones to be doing this the hard way.  I commend you and wish you all the best.
When it's all said and done, success or no success, we want to hear the entire hunt story.

Good luck!!! 

[dhorn]

i will definitely have some stories!!! good or bad..... but i really appreciate all the info i have gotten from each and every one of you!!!!

[njc89]

I'm hoping to keep Dave busy packing my elk out of the E. Wenaha this year.  I too want to do it myself, but reality is what it is.  The country is nasty, elk are big, and tags are hard to come by.  I want to make the most of the opportunity, and figure that I'll be working as hard as I can stand anyway.  I sure wish everyone else in the area the best of luck.

[bucklucky]

Are you doing the drop camp, furnished (cant remember what it was listed as)  camp or a guided camp njc89?

[njc89]

I will do a furnished drop camp if I find someone to to go along.  Otherwise, it will likely be guided.  I'm not into spending a whole week by myself.  I'm not that good of company...  The cost for the solo guided is pretty high though, so I have not pulled the trigger.

[Shawn Ryan]

dhorn, Do you intend to backpack in or camp along a road?  Have you ever backpack hunted?

[dhorn]

we will have to scout it first! but i think we will backpack in and hunt it thats what it takes! i have backpack hunted. we hunted the glacier peak wilderness two years ago! we packed a bear out of there nine and a half miles. so i definitely know what to expect!! the terrain might overwhelm me a bit but my love for hunting will push me a little harder then.

[dawnsnow]

It sounds like the best thing to do in this situation is to actually go and see the area you will be hunting in.  Spend a weekend hiking in it and then assess your own abilities and limitations.  What may be an easy hunt to one may be a challenging hunt to another and what may be a challenging hunt to one may be an impossible hunt to another.  Remember that everyone is different and only YOU can decide which is the best way to for YOU to successfully hunt YOUR permit. 

I know from personal experience that when we attempt to do what others think we are unable to do or what we are afraid to try that we often amaze ourselves at our capabilities.  I think if you decide to do this hunt on your own ,(even if you have to humble yourself by asking for assistance that you previously thought unnecessary), that you will have not only a memorable hunt, but also a stronger sense of self and a strong sense of pride for attempting to do what others thought was not possible.

I commend you for being a hunter who is not afraid to hunt!  I have seen way too many people out there looking for a quick kill instead of a good hunt and an exhausting pack out.  I could never be proud of taking game that was not a challenge to me both mentally and physically.

The only way we learn and grow is to continue to challenge ourselves and the only way you will ever know your full potential is to push yourself a little further than you have before.  Good luck on your hunt!  Maybe someday I will be fortunate enough to draw such an awesome tag!