Observatory Bull Tag!

[TheKid#10]

Observatory Bull Tag,

Anybody have any info your willing to share about this area. My Dad drew it and I would really love to help him fill his first bull tag with a dandy. I don't know how many more years he will be able to go as he is almost 70 and starting to crash and burn. Last year he said he was done, but I begged him to keep going until he drew a branch bull tag and now he's fired up! I have been in the area a little but don't have a honey hole if you know what I mean. Know Peaches and Goose really well but not the Observatory. Thanks for any help.

KID

[kirkl]

Do you have quads? Gonna send ya a pm

[huntingnut]

What weapon did you get it for?

[TheKid#10]

Modern.

[TheKid#10]

No quads.

[mtndew]

Kidd, if you are going to scout the area, PM me and I can give you more detailed directions.

[OltHunter]

spent the past 8 seasons in the manastash unit before moving to the naches to get away from people.  never hunted the umtanum.  that is a great tag to have especially if you get an early heavy snow because it is a major wintering area for elk.  they'll come pouring out of the naches/taneum into the flats down robinson/watts canyon where the feeding stations are set up.  i think your set up would vary depending on what your goals are.  biggest bulls,less people,steep/thicker country or anything with antlers/don't care about people/easier access.  for bigger bulls but harder hunting, i would start my scouting as close to the naches and taneum borders as i could, and if the weather comes in, move down into the lt murray.  bald mountain is a good place for elk, and the manastash/umpantum unit cover the east side of the mountain.  another good spot is north/east of quartz creek which would probably be my first choice.  real thick up there though and steep.  the l.t. holds local elk, but mostly raghorns and cows but a lot easier hunting. its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time and making a shot on a running bull.  but if it starts snowing be around there, by buddy pulled that tag two years ago and stayed around the lt all season long, just seeing a few cows, the last two days of the season brought a good snow, a think around 4-6 inches and he killed a bull one day and his dad killed one the next day.  elk all over the place.  just my 2 cents, good luck, feel free to pm for any other help.

[TheKid#10]

Thanks for the help guys, keep em' coming. No such thing as too much info, right. Dad will need to shoot a monster so we have enough  backstrap and tenderloin  to share with all the informants!!!   

[TeacherMan]

I drew a big bull rifle tag out of there this year, the best advise I think that I've been given so far is get in before the other rifle hunters do, take advantage of those first few days. Good luck, how far off the road are you willing to go, understand if its not far. I will be in there on and off all summer/fall scouting, if I see a nice dumb bull hanging out close to the road I will let you know. I'm going to kill myself by shooting one 4+ miles in, helps make the experience.  I got a quad to help get it out...

[cabin308]

Kid, I've hunted rifle in the LT for 7-8 years for spikes and we always see some nice big branched bulls .  I always wish for the lucky draw for a bull tag in there.  If you hunt the LT, get in first day and hope to drop the first big pig that you cross path's with.  I've always seen 5x5 and better during the first few days of spike season and then after that it's a ghost town until the snow pushes them down.  We camp/hunt in the LT near tamarac springs and come opening day of general season it's all orange vests from ridgetop to creekbottom .  Pray for early snow!   

[cabin308]

Teacherman, HEADS UP!
FYI.......If you hunt in the LT Murray, it is green dot road system so there are no quads/vehicles off road.  Check the road map system posted at the gates or ask the gamey for a map.  No offroad travel in the LT, unless you have the handicap sign to drive off road.  Seen several tickets written for getting more than 100 feet off green dots.

[mtndew]

Teacherman, there are only a few limited areas in Manastash that you can even drive a Quad ON the road. The majority of the unit is posted (and enforced) that a vehicle must be licensed for use on a public road to be driven on the logging roads.

[TeacherMan]

Sounds like I better take my handicap dad and his red sign. Just kidding, thanks for the heads up. Looks like my partners and I may be boning out the animal and packing it. Wont be the first time. Thanks for the info. Keep it coming...

[kirkl]

Teacherman, i do alot of riding in 340/342 gmu's and there are alot of green dot roads that you can ride quads on. I live anywhere from 5 minutes to 25 minutes from any of these areas.

[TeacherMan]

Sounds great lets go riding. Just kidding if you have any suggestions please let me know.