September Archery Elk Chinook Pass (Norse Peak Wilderness) pack in trip.

[jechicdr]

For past several years, have hunted alone and packed in with lightweight tent and all the supplies for 2 weeks.  This past year, my hunting area was about 5 miles in and I crossed paths with a nice older couple who had a wall tent and wood stove that was very helpful after a few moist days of rain.  The pack in was grueling, and being wet and unable to dry myself out the last 2 days of the season led me to consider having an outfitter pack me in and investing in a wall tent (or equivalent...think I'm going to go with the Alaknak) and wood stove (got that on sale at Cabelas).  Down side to the pack in, is that prices are based on 2 person minimum and 2 pack animal maximum, which means either paying for 2 people and continuing to go alone, or try and find a hunting partner who might be interested in the same sort of hunt.  Like I said, I will have the tent and stove and so all that would need to be provided is a willing partner and his personal camping supplies.  The prices for the pack in are 595 if you hike in (they pack your stuff in and elk out if you get one) and 690 (they pack your stuff and you in).  The place I am looking at is only 5-6 miles in, so the hike without most of your gear would not be too bad.

I live in Spokane.  As far as personality, I'd be interested in someone who is pretty laid back, not too political (unless you are moderate with a leftward lean), and an ethical hunter.  My hunting trips are not about drinking and smoking, though I'll inhale campfire fumes on occasion.  A celebratory drink is not frowned upon, but getting drunk every night is not my cup of tea.  I'm 41, and well educated so would like someone that could talk about a little more than the the newest changes at the local Hooters restaurant around the campfire.  The couple I met last year were Marine biologists, and would not have minded if they had offered to adopt me .

[JBR]

Went into the Norse Peak with Chinook Pass Outfitters for the 2011 season, with my archery Peaches Ridge tag and one hunting partner with the same tag.  What I can tell you is that Paul and the guys with him at CPO are first rate and made the trip a pleasure.  They packed me in four days early, and my partner the day before the opener.  The came in a checked on us and packed out my 5x5 bull on day 3, then returned for us and our pack out at the end of the hunt.  Great country, great outfitters and look forward to my next trip with them.  Unfortunately, I will be hunting the west side this year and cannot take you up on your offer.

[jechicdr]

Yeah, they were who I was planning on going with.  The area I hunt had a few other hunters packed in by them and I might be able to talk them into packing me up without having to have a partner since they will be packing other groups into same area.  Thought I would use it as an excuse to find someone I could hunt with though.

[jechicdr]

Well, guess no one is interested in packing into the wilderness.  Chinook Pass Outfitters, if you are reading this, might want to offer to take me up without the requirement for having another person .

[gasman]

Get in touch with Ty (norsepeak). He works for Rugged Class Outfitters, witch is affiliated with Chinook Pass Outfitters.

To me a pack in trip is not worth it for a spike or cow. There are plenty in the lower country. The only way I would do a pack in trip would be for a big bull, but not here in WA.

Not sure where your packing in too, but I do believe Bumping is spike only, no cows 

Just my 

Good luck and have fun on your hunt 

(I would rather hire a outfitter for a pack in trip to fish different high lakes  )

[buglebuster]

  maybe think about buying a wetside tag and getting packed into  the other side of the PCT  wouldn't waste the money when you could probably shoot a cow in rimrock or little naches close to a road.

[jechicdr]

Was looking at Little Naches.  Cow or Spike.  It's not about the number of horns, but the hunt.  Hunting next to a road and a lot of other hunters is not my idea of a good time.  I probably won't put in for Peaches for bull, but will put in for Bumping.  I know where the Bumping bulls are , or at least a handful of them.  Little Naches, found a few cows and couple of bulls, but had to work hard with this last season.

[huntnnw]

Only way I would consider is if I drew a tag..I will not hunt spike cow areas

[gasman]

A wet side pack in would be a much better deal in my opinion....Bumping, spike only 

Now Rimrock has wilderness areas that you can be packed in to and can hunt cow or spike.

Or, Little Naches in the Crow Creek Basin 

There is also Indian Creek Outfitters in the Hwy 12 side. I have talked to Jerry a few times, and has been helpful in the past.

[et1702]

If we coordinated on the WA Quality Bull drawings and one of us drew a tag, I'd be interested.  Otherwise, I shot my cow opening day down lower, and had a great time helping buddies connect afterwards.  Only problem is that all three of the other guys I usually hunt with are strapped for cash and won't be able to afford a drop camp hunt this year.  I'm also considering a Drop camp hunt in Oregon this year.  Did this a few years ago and it was a great time.  Only saw one other hunter the entire trip!

Sounds like we are of similar background and personalities.  I'm only a bit older at 48 (next month).  Only other issue is that we live on opposite sides of the state, as I live in Duvall, WA.

ET

[jechicdr]

I doubt I would have the points to actually draw the bull tag, but would not be opposed to try and match the draw options.  Even if I have to pay extra, I'll still do the drop camp, even if it's only for a cow or spike.  As far the opposite sides of the state, I don't mind.  Can work out meeting up.

[jechicdr]

bump

[Ytown25]

Hey I was reading the post and you guys def know what your talking bout. I'm new to the state and I'd like any info I could get. What's steps would I need to take to try and get a bull this year. Im up here for a year in the navy and it'd just be a dream hunt for me. I don't have any land to hunt on. I live in silverdale kitsap county. Ive hunted whitetail b4. Just looking for some info sry to but in. And good luck finding a partner.

[asl20bball]

Nothing is better than wilderness hunting. I did some hiking in peaches last summer and fell in love with an certain area that I figured would be best with a drop camp. This type of hunt you are referring to and your style/personality w/b a good fit for but I will be doing west side one more year (at least) in 2012.  As to the future...

[jechicdr]

I think the personality matches more hunters from the westside.

[MDGrand]

I'd be interested in doing this! One question though.. I saw on the web site that pack in and out including you is $760 not $690. Were you able to swing a deal?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

if this is something you want to do regular, take a look at Kifaru tents and stoves,
http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI2009.html can get pretty light tents/stove packages, then all you gotta worry about is getting the animal out.

[jechicdr]

I'd be interested in doing this! One question though.. I saw on the web site that pack in and out including you is $760 not $690. Were you able to swing a deal?

Chinook Pass Outfitters $655 pack in and you walk in.  $760 pack in and you ride in.  You furnish the camp.  2 person minimum, 2 horses per person.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Go light and hike crow basin 4 miles max even two trips out wouldn't be bad

[jechicdr]

The key was, I wanted a tent with a wood stove.  My wood stove is about 70 lbs.  The tent I'm planning on getting runs about 70 lbs.  Suspect the rest of the gear would be about 70 lbs as well.  That would be 3 trips in with 70 on my back, 3 trips out, and if I get an elk...sorry ran out of fingers.  If I get an elk, which I plan on doing the fee to pack out is roughly the same.  So pack in and out seems like a deal.

[TeacherMan]

How long are you staying in there?

[jechicdr]

Going to try for 2 weeks.  Might only do 10 days and take a week for late season.  That one will be close enough to roads to drive in though.

[dreamingbig]

We may be there but not with a tent and a stove; small two and three man tents on our back.  Buy good rain gear that you can towel dry and you should be good to go.

If I had the funds I would have a Kifaru Sawtooth with medium stove.  You would only need to make one trip with that tent/stove but it will run you approximately $1500 with liner and mosquito netting.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

That's less than three years packed in and it will last a lot longer than that.

[dreamingbig]

Good point.  I have had camp on the back for the last 5 years so I am no stranger.  I would upgrade to that before being packed in; less complications all around.

[zackmioli]

id definitely be interested if i drew a bull tag over there. i am hunting west side again this year as its only my 2nd year of archery hunting so im trying to get my skills a bit more honed before dropping big dollars and 9+ points on a big bull tag and trip.

[crazyantler]

I sent you a personal message.  I do have an any bull tag for archery and would love to get into the back country some how.  I can do it on foot but dealing with meat packing and temps could be a problem without mules or horses.

[Jordanskylery]

I would be interested in doing this as well.  What are are you planning on hunting and what are your dates?

Shoot me a PM if you haven't found someone to fill your spot!

[dreamingbig]

FYI, he drew a cow tag for a different unit so I think his plans changed.

[jechicdr]

FYI, he drew a cow tag for a different unit so I think his plans changed.

Yeah, I drew Colockum Cow tag.  I'll probably be back up in Little Naches Wilderness next year, unless I draw bumping bull or cow.  I'll put in for Peaches bull as second choice, only because I've seen more bulls in Bumping.

I'll probably hunt Cowiche for late season, unless what everyone says about Colockum is accurate...nearly a sure thing.

[jechicdr]

Come to find out, I was actually drawn for Bumping cow.  Swear when I looked on website before it said Colockum.  Guess I'll miss out on all those cows in Colockum.