Clarification on upcoming season PLEASE!!!

[Buckshot Bill]

I'm new this year to archery hunting for elk.  I was thinking of going to the Naches area but noticed that the early season does not include this area.  So does this mean that the only way to hunt this area is to get a special draw for Peaches Ridge?

[bobcat]

Yes you are correct. There is no early archery season in the Little Naches unit. (other than the Peaches Ridge special permit)

[Buckshot Bill]

Thanks bobcat. 

[bobcat]

You could hunt any other unit in that area though. I think Little Naches is the only one not open for general season. Look at Manastash, Taneum, Nile, and Bumping.

[Buckshot Bill]

Ya, I was thinking of the Manastash and Taneum.  Not to familier with the Nile and Bumping area.  Which do you like the best?

[MIKEXRAY]

Elk in all those areas, get back from roads a little and you will find them. Pick an area that you enjoy and meets your hunting style. I hunt the bumping unit and love it. I like hunting on the ridges and having the lake for down time.

[bobcat]

I'm not sure I could pick just one unit. I have certain spots in all of those units that I would hunt, if I were bow hunting.

[Buckshot Bill]

Thanks bobcat & MIKEXRAY for the input.  I'll have to make a trip over there this summer and see some area I haven't been to.

[Machias]

I used to hunt over there quite a bit during the early archery season.  I ended up hating it.  Lots of elk, been within bow range of several nice branch antlered bulls.  Lots of other folks out in the woods as well, recreationalist and hunters.  But what finally drove me a way was the Labor Day crowds, holy smokes.  I imagine it is MUCH better now that is opens on the 8th.  One thing though, you CAN'T, IMO, get away from the "roads".  When you get very far off of one road your just getting closer to the next road.  Very frustrating when you hike all morning, get into a sweet area and then you can't hear yourself think due to all the off road vehicle traffic, bikes and 4 wheelers and little susuki trucks, etc...

[MIKEXRAY]

It is better now with the season being after the holiday weekend. This year the season starts on a Monday which is great. I've hunted the Bumping unit mostly with a little late season in 352. I love the area and don't see more that one other archer in the woods a season. I only hunt about a mile in but fairly steep. It took four years but I found a honey hole last year and took a 4x3 mulie. Also saw twelve elk and only hunted until noon on second day when I got my buck. At the time I figured the deer was enough meat and didn't go back up for elk  Season missed. From now on I'm hunting until each tag is filled. Good luck. Mike

[jackelope]

there's a wilderness area in there if the dirtbikes and roads bug you too don't forget...
the bumping that is.

[MIKEXRAY]

Your right Jackelope the area I hunt is wilderness, I guess I just took it for granted not seeing dirt bikes and ? I see the sign about half way up to the area. I prefer the quiet as most do, just lucked into hunting the wilderness. The one time I did hunt 352 there was four wheelers and trucks every where. I never really thought about it but I guess thats why I stay out of there now.

[flashover52]

Well after some long thinking, my brother-in-law and a buddy are going to forgo their eastern OR season and stay on the north side of the moat. My brother-in-law has been snowmobiling up near Naches and thinks we should head up there for bow season instead of sticking around SW WA during the wet season.

We're looking at heading towards Bumping Lake or Timberwolf Mtn. and would prefer to find someplace we can set up camp with horses and head into the wilderness area. Given our late decision making, we're headed up in the next week or so to do some preliminary scouting and possibly a horse ride.

It sounds like anywhere about a mile or so off the road we'll find elk.....but I'm looking for help on where we would be in good shape to set up camp. Are the roads providing access to trailheads in these areas gravel or 4wd only? We've only found a couple of 'horse' camps in the books and maps and one, Deep Creek, seems to be quite a ways south of Bumping Lake.

We're looking to get away from the crowds and aren't afraid to head into the back country. We're just not sure whether to bring bivvy's on the horses or set up a decent base camp to work out of. I'm open to any hints, suggestions or comments via PM.

Thanks.

[MIKEXRAY]

One thing I do know is the dirt road past bumping lake that goes way down south of it has been closed all summer. I forget the road designation like 1800 or ? I don't know if they will be open sept. Good gravel roads that lead to wilderness and way south. I'm not sure why closed but like I said I tried May & July & was closed. Big closure sign at lake when road goes from pavement to gravel.