General season archery spike unit 356.

[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.