Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 04, 2012, 08:16:42 PM
Post by: bowhunterty on July 04, 2012, 10:47:11 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 05, 2012, 05:30:56 AM
What tag did you draw.?
November modern bull tag. Hoping snow doesn't keep us out of the high country.
Post by: lewy on July 05, 2012, 05:44:08 AM
Post by: bowhunterty on July 05, 2012, 06:32:01 AM
Post by: sirmissalot on July 05, 2012, 08:24:16 AM
Post by: Huntbear on July 05, 2012, 08:32:20 AM
Did my best to get a scouting trip in today with the wife. Fr 99 closed. FR 26 closed at the 2612. Website said it would be open. We hiked up 26 far enough to do some spotting and see a nice nursery herd. Good to see the Back Country Horsemen busy clearing trail off the 2612. Hiked a couple of other trails to start finding some routes. What we seen is promising. ;) Next trip coming soon. :drool:
:tup: :tup: :tup:
The 26 road is completely washed out about 2? miles past the 2612 turn off... Has been since LAST spring Not sure IF or WHEN the FS will fix it... it is ALL about the money you know... :bash: :bash:
You will see all kinds of elk in that deep valley... make sure you take a good camera and a long lens and get some pictures.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 05, 2012, 10:00:37 AM
Had a dad and 3 kids go by us on bikes. Hope they made it out the 99 where Mom was waiting in the RV:dunno: :yike: They had already rode all the way on the 26. :o
Post by: lewy on July 05, 2012, 05:55:57 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 05, 2012, 06:05:38 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on July 05, 2012, 07:48:53 PM
Post by: MuleyMadness on July 26, 2012, 07:50:19 PM
Post by: ORBowHunter on July 27, 2012, 10:31:49 AM
They are working on the washout. :tup: Sounds like they might have the 26 open the middle of the month. We hiked up 1.25 miles past Ryan Lake. Was the middle of the day and getting warm, didn't see the gain in dropping to the bottom of the valley :dunno: :chuckle: Could see part of the wash with material pushed off the road. We went past 1 excavator. All the elk we seen were up high on the slopes.
Had a dad and 3 kids go by us on bikes. Hope they made it out the 99 where Mom was waiting in the RV:dunno: :yike: They had already rode all the way on the 26. :o
Uhm....so if you hike up the trail past Ryan Lake, that's not the margaret unit?? I think it's Winston. You have to go down, and cross the green river to actually be in the margaret unit. just FYI, I could be wrong, but pretty sure I am not. Correct me if I am.
Post by: bowhunterty on July 27, 2012, 12:39:37 PM
Post by: elkhunter00 on July 27, 2012, 05:31:48 PM
Fr 2612 is the boundry till you cross the bridge. Then the green river is the boundry. Fr 26 is the eastern boundry to the trail at Norway pass
:yeah:
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 27, 2012, 09:40:29 PM
Plan on making it further this weekend. Will be scouting it as many times as possible between now and November.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 31, 2012, 08:49:37 PM
mountain goats walking by at 15 yards. Elk herds look healthy. About decided I'm approaching this
mountain wrong. Going to spend a few days next weekend checking out uncharted trails. Have to
cut some of the miles off. Any ideas are welcome. I've just starting to figure this mountain out.
Might even get me in shape for WY.
Post by: bowhunterty on July 31, 2012, 09:14:22 PM
Post by: bobcat on July 31, 2012, 09:17:36 PM
At least there is some good news.
Post by: kentrek on August 01, 2012, 02:37:31 PM
Sounds like no signs of hoof rot in the high country?
At least there is some good news.
i have never seen any hoof rot in the high country(nock on wood)......i think its too dry
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 02, 2012, 05:21:01 AM
Do you have a back up area due to snow. I have ran into a lot of the modern guys scouting the high country.Back up plan? Hoping we don't have to go there. Gated areas will be my last option. 50 permits. what is a 'lot of guys?
Post by: bowhunterty on August 02, 2012, 06:33:53 AM
Post by: MADMAX on August 02, 2012, 06:44:24 AM
Great country but Nov weather will be the hardest thing for you to contend with, not 50 guys or finding a decent bull.
Advice worth :twocents:
Take the first good bull you find in a good spot with a good clean shot and a nice rack, if you wait you may eat that tag
Post by: fireweed on August 02, 2012, 09:16:31 AM
Hiked 12 miles on Sunday. 2700' or more of climbing. Had lunch looking down on Boot Lake, with
mountain goats walking by at 15 yards. Elk herds look healthy. About decided I'm approaching this
mountain wrong. Going to spend a few days next weekend checking out uncharted trails. Have to
cut some of the miles off. Any ideas are welcome. I've just starting to figure this mountain out.
Might even get me in shape for WY.
Mountain goats at Boot Lake is big news! They haven't been documented back in the Margaret, though a neighbor of mine saw them in Coldwater valley last year, and I've seen a stray on Tumwater. How many? Any photos?
Post by: Bluesdude on August 02, 2012, 11:25:03 AM
Post by: Bluesdude on August 02, 2012, 11:31:01 AM
Post by: Eat um up on August 02, 2012, 11:46:11 AM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 02, 2012, 09:47:29 PM
Hiked 12 miles on Sunday. 2700' or more of climbing. Had lunch looking down on Boot Lake, withhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuMYf7G84KE&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuMYf7G84KE&feature=youtu.be)
mountain goats walking by at 15 yards. Elk herds look healthy. About decided I'm approaching this
mountain wrong. Going to spend a few days next weekend checking out uncharted trails. Have to
cut some of the miles off. Any ideas are welcome. I've just starting to figure this mountain out.
Might even get me in shape for WY.
Mountain goats at Boot Lake is big news! They haven't been documented back in the Margaret, though a neighbor of mine saw them in Coldwater valley last year, and I've seen a stray on Tumwater. How many? Any photos?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 02, 2012, 09:55:16 PM
Now that I agree with, I had the Margaret tag in 97 for AHE, the fog also played into it.
Great country but Nov weather will be the hardest thing for you to contend with, not 50 guys or finding a decent bull.
Advice worth :twocents:
Take the first good bull you find in a good spot with a good clean shot and a nice rack, if you wait you may eat that tag
Duly noted. I understand the odds of access in Novenber, and plan on gambling most of our scouting time for that. Worst case scenario, we have to hit the west end with little scouting. Most of it is closed now anyway :dunno:
Post by: rosies or bust on September 05, 2012, 09:58:02 PM
Post by: Huntbear on September 05, 2012, 10:06:08 PM
If you are going in on the East End.... there is the Hunters trail off the 2612. You can also hike up the Green River trail, and if you can follow a map and a compass, head up the Miners Creek drainage, that the Agnews had closed (road destroyed) from the West end..
If you are willing to do your homework, there are some monsters in there ...
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 06, 2012, 05:32:55 AM
Post by: Chesapeake on September 06, 2012, 04:07:07 PM
So far my efforts have been at Norway pass and Coldwater lake. Interested to get up there this weekend and see how the archery and rifle guys are pushing the elk around, and what kind of pressure they are exerting.
I have the muzzy tag.
Like has been said, lots of elk, just no monsters yet. Not sure I've seen a shooter.
Post by: Huntbear on September 06, 2012, 04:15:09 PM
And if you get up there during the rut, very early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, you should get a show that is absolutely awesome...
Also, if hiking that Norway trail, you will need to really get past Bear Pass to really get into the big bulls.. at least has been our experience up there... .of course if successful, coming around that rock at Bear Pass with an elk rack on your back could be a bit fun... :yike: :chuckle:
Post by: Chesapeake on September 06, 2012, 06:08:02 PM
Post by: nailbender on September 06, 2012, 07:14:27 PM
HB seems to have great experiance in the area from what I've read on his post.
HB - are you hunting this unit this year?
Post by: Chesapeake on September 07, 2012, 12:02:18 AM
Post by: Bluesdude on September 07, 2012, 06:32:00 AM
You guys care to tell me where the hunters trail is off 2612 and where it goes? I hadnt heard of this trail.
So far my efforts have been at Norway pass and Coldwater lake. Interested to get up there this weekend and see how the archery and rifle guys are pushing the elk around, and what kind of pressure they are exerting.
I have the muzzy tag.
Like has been said, lots of elk, just no monsters yet. Not sure I've seen a shooter.
It goes from the end of the 2612 to Panhandle Lake outlet creek and hits the Lakes Trail #211
Post by: Chesapeake on September 07, 2012, 10:29:42 AM
I've been thinking for a while now, there has to be a better way into this area. Seems you may have shed the light on that for me. I'll have to check it out.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 07, 2012, 06:56:01 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on September 07, 2012, 09:29:41 PM
I was interested by the somewhat surprised talk of the goats. Over the last 3 years I'm not sure I've been on the 99 and not seen a few goats above the road. Maybe a few times I guess.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 11, 2012, 07:10:33 PM
Goats are also up around Bear Pass and Grizzly Lake. My brother and buddy sat and watched them play for 2 hours on the cliffs 2 years ago...
If you are going in on the East End.... there is the Hunters trail off the 2612. You can also hike up the Green River trail, and if you can follow a map and a compass, head up the Miners Creek drainage, that the Agnews had closed (road destroyed) from the West end..
If you are willing to do your homework, there are some monsters in there ...
Been up the Hunters trail a few times now. Will do it in November if I must and can :dunno: Quite a hike to Miners Creek down the Green from the horse camp. :yike: I'm assuming that is the closest route? My gut has been telling me that is where I want to kill my bull.
Post by: Huntbear on September 11, 2012, 07:13:05 PM
Goats are also up around Bear Pass and Grizzly Lake. My brother and buddy sat and watched them play for 2 hours on the cliffs 2 years ago...
If you are going in on the East End.... there is the Hunters trail off the 2612. You can also hike up the Green River trail, and if you can follow a map and a compass, head up the Miners Creek drainage, that the Agnews had closed (road destroyed) from the West end..
If you are willing to do your homework, there are some monsters in there ...
Been up the Hunters trail a few times now. Will do it in November if I must and can :dunno: Quite a hike to Miners Creek down the Green from the horse camp. :yike: I'm assuming that is the closest route? My gut has been telling me that is where I want to kill my bull.
IF I had a bull tag for the Margaret, that is where I would be going buddy.... :tup: :tup: Just remember, be a bit choosy if you can force yourself.... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: sirmissalot on September 11, 2012, 07:30:54 PM
Post by: SI Eagle on September 11, 2012, 08:05:05 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 11, 2012, 08:10:46 PM
Won't You be able to access miners creek from the weyco side, via the 2500 by November when they finally open gates?Do I need to gamble on a when and if? 20 miles between the gate and Miners Creek right now. Tempted to start at the 3500 gate above Coldwater :o >:(
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 11, 2012, 08:19:06 PM
How you guys in the backcountry plan on getting the Elk out? No stock allowed in and would be an absolute killer to get one out on your back up by Grizzly Lake or Panhandle:EAT: If it is mine or my boy, it will be well worth the pain. :tup: It doesn't look so bad for this old man compared to some walks I've had with an elk on my back. I do plan on earning this one :tup After this I'll get a muzzy tag and sit in my backyard :chuckle:
Post by: sirmissalot on September 11, 2012, 08:28:37 PM
Won't You be able to access miners creek from the weyco side, via the 2500 by November when they finally open gates?Do I need to gamble on a when and if? 20 miles between the gate and Miners Creek right now. Tempted to start at the 3500 gate above Coldwater :o >:(
No I'm just saying, seems like you can count on the gates being open in November, and from the maps I have it looks like you can access it fairly easily from weyco. But I don't know, never done it before.
Post by: Huntbear on September 11, 2012, 08:43:32 PM
How you guys in the backcountry plan on getting the Elk out? No stock allowed in and would be an absolute killer to get one out on your back up by Grizzly Lake or Panhandle
The trails are actually very good. My buddies bull 2 years ago, he and my brother brought the head out after dark... 4 of us went in the next morning with pack frames. We were back to the truck by 2 pm. We boned out the elk and packed the whole thing in one trip... Not that big of a deal actually. No worse than a High Country hunt by yourself... just make multiple trips if needed. I have spent 3 days packing out an elk before. It was 1 trip a day.
Post by: Bluesdude on September 12, 2012, 07:17:31 AM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 12, 2012, 07:02:19 PM
Post by: Bluesdude on September 14, 2012, 08:15:50 AM
Post by: bobcat on September 14, 2012, 09:05:46 AM
Then they also have 2 weeks in December.
Post by: scout88 on September 14, 2012, 04:18:30 PM
What tag did you draw.?
November modern bull tag. Hoping snow doesn't keep us out of the high country.
my grandpa drew the same tag, cant wait for that hunting trip!
Post by: Huntbear on September 14, 2012, 04:22:50 PM
Won't You be able to access miners creek from the weyco side, via the 2500 by November when they finally open gates?
No, as part of the Sale to the Agnews on the High Lakes, Weyco ditched that road well before Miners Creek... ditch is 40 ft. deep and 100 ft. wide..... Good luck driving any further..
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 15, 2012, 06:30:42 AM
[/quote]
Is there a big turn around just before the trench? Trying to figure out how far the hike is from that end. Looks like the east approach may still be the best. Might have to recruit someone with a pony if we get a couple down.