General season archery spike unit 356.

[aer212]

How many of you would hunt the general season archery in the Bumping unit, William O Douglas wilderness area? I havn't got my first elk yet and was thinking if I didn't draw I might head over there and try it. I had the quality tag in 2010 and got into some elk so I know where they are at but I'm wondering if its worth it to head in deep for a spike. When we went in 2010 we were 5 miles in to main camp and hunted 10-15 miles from there. This time I have access to horses, last time it was backpack work. So what do you think, worth it for a first elk? Also if I do this, what are some ways to hunt spikes? Is ambush the most likely way.

[hughjorgan]

I would opt for a cow/spike unit if you never harvested an elk you shouldn't have a problem finding cows. Better odds of success in my opinion. Did you happen to put in for one of the fifty cow permits in there this year?

[aer212]

No, I put in for the quality goose prairie tag. This is just me and I could be way wrong but I feel confident that I could go up there and kill a elk no problem. Just doesn't really seem worth it for a spike because it is a tough hunt.

[HornHoarder]

I was going to suggest going a little further west, and hunting for big bulls, but I'm assuming you already have a eastside tag. Not worth the effort, just to hunt spikes in my opinion.

[hughjorgan]

If you feel confident you can get it done, I say go for it especially since you have access to horses. Definitely would be a fun experience. That goose prairie tag isn't going to be an easy tag to draw either if you don't have some points built up.

[aer212]

Yeah, I already have eastside tag. I don't have many points, used them up in 2010. I feel lucky though! Either way I will be up there this year with horses, just not sure if I will be hunting or helping someone else. I have a friend and his dad that I think put in for the bull rifle tags in October. Thats probably getting pretty close to snow time though. Anyone know how it has been in years past? When does it start getting snowed out?

[MIKEXRAY]

I've hunted the bumping for years & see a lot of elk each season. I hunted "spike only"  with my bow last season and had a lot of confidence getting one.  I did see a lot of elk , no other hunters , but getting an archery shot on a spike only is tough.  At the end of the year I felt kind of dumb for even trying, it is a lot of effort for a spike. Mike


One morning I had a spike buck  &  3 point bull in range and could of shot each, exact opposite of what I could take.  I sat there and pondered the irony over lunch.       

[aer212]

Thats what I was wondering, how does a guy go archery hunting spike only? We saw some spikes when we were up there last but mostly saw branch bulls and cows.

[gasman]

Thats what I was wondering, how does a guy go archery hunting spike only? We saw some spikes when we were up there last but mostly saw branch bulls and cows.

About just as easy as going to a 3 point or better.....duh.....

[aer212]

What do you mean? If thats the case why didn't we call any spikes in? We called in 13 bulls and all but one were mature bulls, the one was a raghorn 6x6.

[GoPlayOutside]

I have been "conditioned" to hunt spikes my whole hunting career.  I now kind-of find it pretty easy.  If you can find cows, you can find a spike.  Spike's tend to be more stupid than cows.  So if you can wait out the cows, the Spike's will normally start grazing in all directions without much caution.

And yes, it's totally worth it to work your butt off to hunt Spike's.  Even in an easier terrain area, hunting elk is still hard.  It is always better To Hunt, than Not To Hunt!

[PlateauNDN]

Dang!  I was hooping they wouldve left them closed since it limited road access(hunting) and left some good areas closed to motorvehicles.  Haven't been in that area yet this year but if its elk hunting its always worth it.  Was running around this past weekend and seen some nice looking spikes and bunch of dee near the bumpin so they're out there.

[deerslyr]

Ive been know to do it a time or two. I think its an awesome hunt even if im only after a spiker

[colockumelk]

I don't think it's foolish. I thought I was a fool for chasing "true spikes" with my bow but I ended up getting one so you never know. If I had horses though I'd be on the west side in a wilderness area chasing branch bulls near the PCT, or in the Norse Peak wilderness chasing cows/spikes.

[aer212]

My guess is the 356 will get hammered this year especially in the William O as  the 1800 and 1808 are fixed. Saw a few spikes last year during general and nailed one. I would be beginning to scout now if I were you if you.

When was the road wiped out? Like I said we were in there 2010 and the 1808 was fine. You think there will be a lot of people in deep for general archery?

[aer212]

I don't think it's foolish. I thought I was a fool for chasing "true spikes" with my bow but I ended up getting one so you never know. If I had horses though I'd be on the west side in a wilderness area chasing branch bulls near the PCT, or in the Norse Peak wilderness chasing cows/spikes.

This isn't quite as bad, its not a true spike unit.

[PlateauNDN]

My guess is the 356 will get hammered this year especially in the William O as  the 1800 and 1808 are fixed. Saw a few spikes last year during general and nailed one. I would be beginning to scout now if I were you if you.

When was the road wiped out? Like I said we were in there 2010 and the 1808 was fine. You think there will be a lot of people in deep for general archery?

last year, it was closed right where the trailhead for mt. aix begins is where they gated it off.  roads were washed out past the gate.  With the roads re-opening it's going to be flooded with people trying to get as far back as possible, my 

[aer212]

Thanks Plat, I take it 1808 is usually open to the end at twin sisters trail?

[dreamingbig]

It is very hard for spike only with archery gear.  Check the harvest reports.  I have been there the past two years and I have only seen two spikes in range but shot opportunities didn't work out.  You would be better off in Little Naches.

[bench beast]

I seen 1 spike in there last year, wouldnt have wanted to shoot him.
Hold out for the quality tag...

[washelkhunter]

How do you guys figure the 1800 is going to be flooded with 'people'? Theres plenty of shooters in there. Its all BS. heres what happens. You walk 1 mile at a right angle to the road and you wont see another hunter for a week if ever. You go 2 miles in and meet someone, well its time to compare notes cause you just ran into somebody who knows whats what and vis-a-vie. i have been chasing spike for years in the WO and still havent fig,d it out. But i do know that big bulls come from little bulls, so the ratio is the same. What i have learned tho is that if you get into elk, you stay on those elk. theres a spike in there somewhere.

[buglebuster]

I've always wondered how many people are hunting the east side up by dumbell lake off the PCT. I see a lot of people heading in but can't figure out if they are all hunting east or west.

[washelkhunter]

It aint called dumbell for nuthin.

[jechicdr]

If you draw the quality, or cow tag, Bumping is a good place to go.  You'll see tons of bulls and tons of cows.  Last time I was in there, I saw tons of elk.  Only 2 spikes, and none in bow range.  The year before, I had two in bow range, but no shot opportunity.  If you want more shot opportunities, it pays to have more potential target.  Typically this will be cow + spike areas.  Rimrock and Little Naches would be the my choice, but I'd rather hunt bumping if I had a big bull tag or got drawn for a cow, just to be away from most of the hunters.  Don't think you can consistently get a spike to come in, and you'll see 20 times as many cows and probably 10 times as many bulls as spikes.

[MIKEXRAY]

I agree with Jechicdr on all accounts. Spike only is tough.   One other thing I noticed the last two years as a spike only unit is the elk were moving much less with the hunters down to so few. I had to work a lot harder to find them then in the last two years as apposed to other hunters running them to me . I love the area & hope I draw a tag, if not I may need to change general season areas. Only seeing one or two spikes in a year and having them in range with good shot available is a tall order.

[PA BEN]

I would. I've called in spikes up there also.

[dreamingbig]

Check the harvest stats for PMU 35 since they changed Bumping to spike only.  That will tell you all you need to know about how hard it is to shoot a spike up there.

[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.