I might eat my Peaches Ridge Any Bull Tag

[bald eagle]

I have been hunting everyday and decided to come home and regroup for a day. I finally drew the "Any Bull" tag with 15 points. I know I'll never draw it again and it looks very likely that I will end up eating the tag. I'll go back on Saturday and Sunday and see if the situation changes. I've been hunting high off the 1916, 1917 and 1901 FS Rds. The bulls were there earlier. Maybe a month earlier. Wallows and monster rubs are very telling. However, when the hunting started, the elk scattered and few track were seen in the area. I hunted hard everyday and at least expected to bust elk through the trees. It never happened. 3-4 days into the season I found three cows bedded right next to a road in the headlights about 0600 hrs. The next day, I busted a 5 point rag bull the same way. I never saw an elk during shooting hours. I know how to hunt elk, but I'm ready to chalk this year off to a "bad" year for me. Elk will sometimes break your heart and this must be one of them. I just refuse to give up. I'm going back for the last weekend. The elk certainly scattered when the camps popped up. I just can't figure if they went higher or low. Any last minute suggestions?

Thanks!

Bald Eagle     

[jager]

Don't give up! I went 10 days before I saw a shooter bull.
I know it's been a tough year this year for a lot of guys...just not seeing the amount of elk this year.
I know nothing about your area....sorry.
PM some of the guys that were successful 
Keep after it! Gotta be in the woods! 

[robodad]

One of my buddies drew that tag twice for archery back to back seasons and then missed a year and drew it again for the late rifle season, never killed an elk. Another buddy of mine drew the early archery any bull tag a few years ago and didn't get one either, I know it can be done but it's no slam dunk like some folks say it is. Elk are where you find em, not everywhere, just have to get off the main paths in pockets between road systems. Look up Rock Creek, it has been pretty good up there but I think I heard the road washed out you'll have to check !! Good Luck !!

[270Shooter]

Never hunted that area, but I think heading to the steep and thick would be your best bet, and go slow.

[lokidog]

Someone posted about all the bulls they saw up there before they filled their tag.  Maybe you can get sone tips from them.  Good luck.

[Rhinoron247]

Don't give up,  took us 10 days into the season to score even after watching big bulls all summer.   Just remember a big bull will be standing in his last set of tracks.

  Also, do something good and unexpected from someone else and you will build karma credits before you get into the woods.   

[hoffmas56]

I had the tag several years ago, filled it on the next to last day up Gold creek. I would hunt Ravens Roost area, Milk creek, Gold Creek and Rock Creek drainages. I know some of the roads are washed out, but if you can hike up into them, you should find some bulls. Chech with all the hunters in the area, they will let you know where the branched bulls have been seen.

[sixty4nhalf]

I'm not too sure how full of himself this guy was, but he said a big herd headed down towards the 410 off the other side of 1902. I was up at Raven's roost and all I saw was lots of foot traffic and Trucks. I glassed the hill sides for hours and not a move of any mammal. I think they are hanging out at the 4500' level. I was talking to Johnny Law on Sunday and he could not believe the amount of hunters this year. I would love to go back out but I am a 4 hour drive in good weather from there. I do have the most of the month off, SOOOOO I might go hit up some 200 series units for an any elk(but once again camper is still with-out heat and generator is still broke), If anyone has some good information, I would greatly appreciate it and helping putting some meat in the freezer, next year is looking impossible for hunting anything.

[buglebuster]

Dont give up on that unit!

[lemondog]

You need to get back up therr. Big bulls are there

[Biggerhammer]

I had the same problem, I started high. Quartz Mt, Frost Meadows, Shoestring trail and NOTHING!  Got down around the 3600ft mark, give or take some and got into Elk, like others have mentioned the Elk concentration were in the steep wooded stuff and at least a basin or canyon or two off a maim road way. I did as you did, came back for a couple days realy disappointed.

I almost threw in the towel, but the thought of eating that tag really ate at me. I posted my thoughts and people replied and sent PM's. I packed up again an headed for my unit(Observatory) got there by 6PM last Friday and had a bull on the ground by 8:30 am Saturday. Like what was said in a response to my other post concerning seeing no Elk.

Keep the mental game strong.

It only takes a few seconds for your season to change.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope it happens for you.

[wall of wood camp]

we filled five out of 6 bull tags this year.  we saw two huge herd bulls in the upper clearcut above milk lake near the end of 1708 bu didnt get a shot wasn't expecting them where they were.  we ended up takining one six point over there with it was also a rag horn 4 and three spikes we left over ther the hunting pressure was almost nonexistent. keep after it you will connect we took a five point and my six point out of the meadow off first creek 695 trail.  good luck

[bald eagle]

I'm new to this forum and the response has been great. I'm packing up again and will be in the woods at day light. I'm not sure where yet, but I'm headed there in the morning. I have to evaluate all of the responses. As a side note, I have a 2004 ford PU and whacked one of my mirrors on my trip out of the woods. I just got it replaced to the tune of $626.00 bucks. Oh ya, it was one of those mirrors with heater, remote, signals and all of that. Just another hunting expense  At least it was done doing what I enjoy. I'll stay in the fight on this tag and post the results. Thanks for all the help. Hopefully, my next question is what taxidermist should I use.  Hell, I'd be happy with a spike. I LOVE ELK BURGERS!

Happy trails,

Bald Eagle   

[WSU]

It only takes one to make your season the best ever.  That thought often keeps me going when hunting or fishing.

[got2hunt]

try the cle elum side like the 4510 rd woods steele rd. Thats where i hunt and allways see elk