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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Seabeckian on September 07, 2012, 04:56:57 PM


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Title: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Seabeckian on September 07, 2012, 04:56:57 PM
Originally I thought this was a stupid question, but after all my research and still no firm answer, maybe not. I drew a tag for Margaret cow archery and until this season have not spent much time in the unit. I already know where I want to spend most my time, but as a backup plan I like to keep my options open and know where is legal and illegal to hunt.

Is all the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument closed to hunting? Whereas it extends into the East side of the Margaret where I have a tag for?

I have checked the regs, looked online, and made about 25 phone calls today with no firm answer. One lady with the Region 5 office told me it was closed because it was federally owned, which didn't make sense since the Gifford-Pinchot is federally owned and legal to hunt in. This has become very frustrating and if anyone has any input, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Scott
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Crunchy on September 07, 2012, 06:32:41 PM
it is open to hunt
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 07, 2012, 07:22:11 PM
I'm scouting it, and I'll be hunting it.  I did have a lady at the Chelatchee offic tell me I couldn't leave the trail :chuckle: :chuckle: :o
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Seabeckian on September 07, 2012, 07:34:58 PM
Thanks a lot guys. I hate being in the woods and in the wrong.  :tup:

Did you draw Margaret Ghost? Or an adjoining unit?
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 08, 2012, 06:33:18 AM
Thanks a lot guys. I hate being in the woods and in the wrong.  :tup:

Did you draw Margaret Ghost? Or an adjoining unit?

Me and my boy drew Margaret, modern/bull for November.  Plan on getting cold, wet, and tired. :tup:
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 08, 2012, 08:23:36 AM
The Loowit Unit is the only portion of the Monument that is closed to hunting, (and even it is open if you have an elk tag like Mudflow, or Whittier  :IBCOOL:.  Most of the Loowit is in the Monument.  The Rest of the Monument is open, and in different units like the Margaret, Toutle, etc.  The Margaret area in the Monument is open, but to camp in the "Mt. Margaret backcountry" you need a premit and to stay at a designated campsite.  But for a cow, you don't want to go there anyway.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bunny Thumper on September 16, 2012, 09:29:44 PM
Been hunting it for 30 years, hope it's not closed.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: TONTO on September 16, 2012, 09:43:02 PM
The closed portion is posted I believe, or atleast used to be. The closed portion is right around coldwater lake, from the lake to the road atop the ridge just north of the lake.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 17, 2012, 07:40:22 AM
The part TONTO is talking about is one of those lovely government boondoggles.  :bash: The land between the Coldwater trail and the top of the ridge is in the Margaret Unit, and OPEN according to the WDFW.  However, the USFS has it in their "administrative closure"--where they say you have to stay on the trail--so you can hunt it but can't leave the trail.  Truth is, this  closure is totally BOGUS and I've been fighting w/ the USFS to open it for years.  If you ever got a ticket there for walking off the trail, Fight it all they way because it is a backroom boondoggle, and will never stand up in court.  At one point the USFS told me you couldn't pack weapons or legally taken game through that area!!!  At least they backed off that.  How about someone other than me complaining in writing about this?
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 17, 2012, 10:32:26 AM
I talked to a USFS Ranger at the Monument Headquarters last week about that area.

They said you can hunt from the trail and only leave the trail to fetch downed game. They seemed to know nothing of issueing an "off trail permit" to hunters as mentioned on the WDFW web site where it says to contact the USFS about getting one (Lately it says you'll get a letter from the USFS). They seemed to think they had never issued such a permit to a hunter for any of the hunts over the years for the Pummice plains, Margaret, or Mudflow even though all 3 areas seem to include lands specified as "off trail travel prohibited", and the hunts have been around for a few years now.

They seemed to believe the rule was "hunt from the trail, and only leave the trail to fetch downed game". But said I should speak with the area WDFW Officer to see what their rules were, as the Ranger wasnt positive on all the between department agreements for the hunts and wasnt aware of the WDFW's rules for such.

They also said they are working a deal for the visitor center with Omsi to do some kids science camps in the area of the Visitor center and that the lake trail was now a mountian bike trail and the west end of Coldwater was a "high use" area. They more or less asked that I dont discharge my gun in close proximity of the science camps/visitor center/west end of the lake during the October muzzy hunt, but also seemed to agree there was no law preventing such. They said the camps would be done, things closed down, and most visitors gone come the November rifle seasons, so not a concern for that time of the year.

The Ranger I spoke to made some calls about my questions on the "off trail permit" ect..... and didnt seem to come up with any real clear answers. Seemed to be a lack of communication between the WDFW and the USFS, or at least a lack of communication within the USFS about these hunts.

But, the Ranger was aware of the hunts in general as were the others in the office, so I guess thats a start. They also seemed interested in trying to answer my questions and spent a good deal of time discussing with me.

None in the office seemed to have anything official or have a good handle on any of the details. I wasnt surprised by any of it. Conversations with WDFW personell seem to go much the same.

Very polite and friendly, just no solid answers.



Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 19, 2012, 08:28:45 AM
First off--Don't believe ANYTHING the government tells you.  I learned this the hard way. Nobody knows--even the top guy--what the rules are and what they aren't.  Make them show you the law in WRITING.  Make them show you the "closure order".  I've even had to file freedom of Info. act to figure out how that area is supposed to be managed!!! 
The off trail permit you are talking about only is for Pumice Plain hunts.  (I have the Whittier bull tag and do not need an off trail permit, but to camp Mt. Margaret backcountry I need a camping permit and need to stay at their designated sites.)  to hunt Margaret you do not need so-called off trail permit.  Shooting from trails is illegal according to general USFS rules (from, across, toward etc).   That area of the margaret on the sidehill between the lake and the monument boundary has always been in limbo.  I tried to get them to follow what the Nat. Park does in most National recreation areas with hunting--1/4 mile around develped areas (like the Coldwater "learning center")  By law the USFS is required to Cooperate with the WDFW in this area but they are butting heads (mostly over fishing in Spirit Lake) and are having issues working well with others.  The new manager is better, but they still need a shove now and then.   If you see a bull on that side hill, as long as it's safe, shoot first, ask questions later.  The area is mostly abandoned that time of year anyway. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 19, 2012, 03:54:23 PM
First off--Don't believe ANYTHING the government tells you.  I learned this the hard way. Nobody knows--even the top guy--what the rules are and what they aren't.  Make them show you the law in WRITING.  Make them show you the "closure order".  I've even had to file freedom of Info. act to figure out how that area is supposed to be managed!!! 
The off trail permit you are talking about only is for Pumice Plain hunts.  (I have the Whittier bull tag and do not need an off trail permit, but to camp Mt. Margaret backcountry I need a camping permit and need to stay at their designated sites.)  to hunt Margaret you do not need so-called off trail permit.  Shooting from trails is illegal according to general USFS rules (from, across, toward etc).   That area of the margaret on the sidehill between the lake and the monument boundary has always been in limbo.  I tried to get them to follow what the Nat. Park does in most National recreation areas with hunting--1/4 mile around develped areas (like the Coldwater "learning center")  By law the USFS is required to Cooperate with the WDFW in this area but they are butting heads (mostly over fishing in Spirit Lake) and are having issues working well with others.  The new manager is better, but they still need a shove now and then.   If you see a bull on that side hill, as long as it's safe, shoot first, ask questions later.  The area is mostly abandoned that time of year anyway.

Hey Fireweed, my brother has the Whitttier cow tag, we will see you in there!
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 19, 2012, 04:17:44 PM


Hey Fireweed, my brother has the Whitttier cow tag, we will see you in there!

After having done the Margaret scouting I've done and seeing the Whittier unit, I fully understand the success rates on that tag. I bet most folks write it off as soon as they put boots on the ground and give it a look. I'm amazed that a guy would go in there with a cow tag.

Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 20, 2012, 06:57:48 AM


Hey Fireweed, my brother has the Whitttier cow tag, we will see you in there!

After having done the Margaret scouting I've done and seeing the Whittier unit, I fully understand the success rates on that tag. I bet most folks write it off as soon as they put boots on the ground and give it a look. I'm amazed that a guy would go in there with a cow tag.

Hey Chesapeake!  luckily as some members who we have helped with St helens tags will attest, my brother and I are not the average hunters.  I have been hiking in that country since I was 6 years old, and have been in the unit 8 times so far this summer.  We are using this hunt and associated backpack trip as a "shakedown" trip for when one of us draws the bull tag.  We also have some helpers availble to help us pack out.
Title: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: sirmissalot on September 20, 2012, 07:21:33 AM


Hey Fireweed, my brother has the Whitttier cow tag, we will see you in there!

After having done the Margaret scouting I've done and seeing the Whittier unit, I fully understand the success rates on that tag. I bet most folks write it off as soon as they put boots on the ground and give it a look. I'm amazed that a guy would go in there with a cow tag.

Hey Chesapeake!  luckily as some members who we have helped with St helens tags will attest, my brother and I are not the average hunters.  I have been hiking in that country since I was 6 years old, and have been in the unit 8 times so far this summer.  We are using this hunt and associated backpack trip as a "shakedown" trip for when one of us draws the bull tag.  We also have some helpers availble to help us pack out.

That will be some hard earned meat! Should be fun
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 20, 2012, 07:26:59 AM
hey sirmissalot, you getting that 5x5 bull mounted? it sure was a nice looking rack
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 20, 2012, 07:50:07 AM
Here's the ironic part about my Whittier tag.  I'd been pushing the Monument and WDFW to open up more land to hunting, and I pointed out this rugged sliver  in the Loowit that was between the USFS "closure" and the Margaret Unit--no reason it shouldn't be opened up, along with that side hill above Coldwater and the DNR land above the No. Toutle.   Miracle of miracles they actually listed (some)...and I drew the tag.  Now I'll be paying for it.  I plan to keep pressure on the USFS, and will give them a blow-by-blow on ways to improve the hunt. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 20, 2012, 08:22:24 AM
The other conflict between the USFS and the WDFW regarding this area is that the USFS (as signed at the trailheads) allows bicycles on the Coldwater Trail, both south and north trails to the junction of the lakes trail.  However in the Regs for the Whittier tag the WDFW says no bicycles allowed. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 20, 2012, 11:10:52 AM
If they do allow bicycles on the Lakes trail 211 it is a brand new opening of that trail, just within the last few months.  Previous only South Coldwater trail 230 (by the equipment) is open.  I did get something w/my tag that said their was no bike access, which is wrong since 230 had been open, as well as the boundary.  The bicycle clubs pushed for this opening several years ago so they could ride from Mt. Adams to Mt. St. Helens on the boundary trail.  I know the USFS is getting lots of pressure to open more access and recreation, so it wouldn't surprise me to see trail 211 open.  I sure wouldn't bike on that with those drop offs into the drink. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 20, 2012, 12:14:09 PM
Got my packet from WDFW yesterday. They have the hillside above Coldwater in the Margaret mapped out as "No discharging firearms", "No off trail travel". The hillside from Mini Peak back to the Visitor Center.

Bluesdude,
I'm with you on the shake down cruise part. I sat atop the 230 trail for a good while glassing Whittier. Its been on my draw list since they offered it. Had it as a choice this year but had Margaret as #1 for some odd reason and drew it. I wont complain. Maybe next year.
Been up in there several times myself this year, some from Norway, and some from Coldwater.

I wish I had a packing crew. My pack crew for my Margaret tag includes me, myself, and I. I really need cool enough weather I can hang quarters overnight. 



Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 20, 2012, 03:22:27 PM
Got my packet from WDFW yesterday. They have the hillside above Coldwater in the Margaret mapped out as "No discharging firearms", "No off trail travel". The hillside from Mini Peak back to the Visitor Center.

Bluesdude,
I'm with you on the shake down cruise part. I sat atop the 230 trail for a good while glassing Whittier. Its been on my draw list since they offered it. Had it as a choice this year but had Margaret as #1 for some odd reason and drew it. I wont complain. Maybe next year.
Been up in there several times myself this year, some from Norway, and some from Coldwater.

I wish I had a packing crew. My pack crew for my Margaret tag includes me, myself, and I. I really need cool enough weather I can hang quarters overnight.

I laugh every time I see one of those "no off trail travel signs" up there.  No one told the elk that! haha they are doing more damage than a few hunters might do walking around north of the Coldwater Trail.  Those silly ash filled tent pads that they want you to use are a joke too. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 20, 2012, 03:24:39 PM
Speaking of Stupid signs, this one is at the Norway Pass Trailhead - I didn't know animals can read!!!!
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 20, 2012, 05:03:38 PM
Hey, I reserved me one of them there boxes of ash to camp on for darn neer a week. It was free of charge. Guess you get what you pay for.

About that hillside...on one of my scouting trips I sat up neer the yarder and watched a couple groups of brighly colored work crews dinking around in the big patches of scotchbroom on that hill side. They bumped the elk I was watching right into the brush.


Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Seabeckian on September 20, 2012, 10:00:58 PM
Bluesdude.... Haha, I was thinking the same thing when I read that. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 21, 2012, 06:02:57 AM
Here's the ironic part about my Whittier tag.  I'd been pushing the Monument and WDFW to open up more land to hunting, and I pointed out this rugged sliver  in the Loowit that was between the USFS "closure" and the Margaret Unit--no reason it shouldn't be opened up, along with that side hill above Coldwater and the DNR land above the No. Toutle.   Miracle of miracles they actually listed (some)...and I drew the tag.  Now I'll be paying for it.  I plan to keep pressure on the USFS, and will give them a blow-by-blow on ways to improve the hunt.

I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 21, 2012, 08:40:04 AM
I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

So you are saying there wasnt any elk in the Whittier unit during your hunt?? What was it you didnt like about the hunt?
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 21, 2012, 08:43:12 AM
I am going to keep my mouth shut about the number of elk in that unit......
 :tup:

Yes it is steep and deep, especially in the east and south sections, but the challange makes it worth it for us
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: bradslam on September 21, 2012, 10:15:29 AM
The 211 Trail on the north side of Coldwater Lake was opened last month to mountain biking. There is an article on the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument web page about it.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Huntbear on September 21, 2012, 10:17:44 AM
I am going to keep my mouth shut about the number of elk in that unit......
 :tup:

Yes it is steep and deep, especially in the east and south sections, but the challange makes it worth it for us


 :tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 21, 2012, 11:06:59 AM
I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

So you are saying there wasnt any elk in the Whittier unit during your hunt?? What was it you didnt like about the hunt?

I had a cow tag for muzzleloader. We hiked in miles from Coldwater, and there were tons of elk in the little off limits area at the end of the lake. Yes, of course there is elk in the unit if you want to hike 7 miles in, and take a week to pack out an elk. To me it wouldn't have been worth it. If you like a challange, than this is definantly a hunt for you! I think the boundaries are poorly managed as forementioned, access is terrible, and there are too many rules. Furtheremore, we caught a guy up there who was camping illegally down by the lake which rubbed me wrong! It's also very dense, and steep past the lake. Yes I knew most of this heading into the hunt, but I still think it's a joke...
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 21, 2012, 11:39:19 AM

I had a cow tag for muzzleloader. We hiked in miles from Coldwater, and there were tons of elk in the little off limits area at the end of the lake. Yes, of course there is elk in the unit if you want to hike 7 miles in, and take a week to pack out an elk. To me it wouldn't have been worth it. If you like a challange, than this is definantly a hunt for you! I think the boundaries are poorly managed as forementioned, access is terrible, and there are too many rules. Furtheremore, we caught a guy up there who was camping illegally down by the lake which rubbed me wrong! It's also very dense, and steep past the lake. Yes I knew most of this heading into the hunt, but I still think it's a joke...

I'm with you on the cow tag part. I dont think I'd do that much work for a cow myself, though I've been know to have no feer of packing elk.

Access is great though.....there are paved roads to the trail heads, groomed and maintained trails, maintained camping areas, ect..... What do you mean by "access is terrible"? Did you want to drive up to your dead elk?



Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 21, 2012, 01:01:32 PM

I had a cow tag for muzzleloader. We hiked in miles from Coldwater, and there were tons of elk in the little off limits area at the end of the lake. Yes, of course there is elk in the unit if you want to hike 7 miles in, and take a week to pack out an elk. To me it wouldn't have been worth it. If you like a challange, than this is definantly a hunt for you! I think the boundaries are poorly managed as forementioned, access is terrible, and there are too many rules. Furtheremore, we caught a guy up there who was camping illegally down by the lake which rubbed me wrong! It's also very dense, and steep past the lake. Yes I knew most of this heading into the hunt, but I still think it's a joke...

I'm with you on the cow tag part. I dont think I'd do that much work for a cow myself, though I've been know to have no feer of packing elk.

Access is great though.....there are paved roads to the trail heads, groomed and maintained trails, maintained camping areas, ect..... What do you mean by "access is terrible"? Did you want to drive up to your dead elk?
Yes the trails are nicely groomed. I was refering to the fact that you have to hike in numerous miles before you can even begin hunting.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: sirmissalot on September 21, 2012, 01:29:13 PM

I had a cow tag for muzzleloader. We hiked in miles from Coldwater, and there were tons of elk in the little off limits area at the end of the lake. Yes, of course there is elk in the unit if you want to hike 7 miles in, and take a week to pack out an elk. To me it wouldn't have been worth it. If you like a challange, than this is definantly a hunt for you! I think the boundaries are poorly managed as forementioned, access is terrible, and there are too many rules. Furtheremore, we caught a guy up there who was camping illegally down by the lake which rubbed me wrong! It's also very dense, and steep past the lake. Yes I knew most of this heading into the hunt, but I still think it's a joke...

I'm with you on the cow tag part. I dont think I'd do that much work for a cow myself, though I've been know to have no feer of packing elk.

Access is great though.....there are paved roads to the trail heads, groomed and maintained trails, maintained camping areas, ect..... What do you mean by "access is terrible"? Did you want to drive up to your dead elk?
Yes the trails are nicely groomed. I was refering to the fact that you have to hike in numerous miles before you can even begin hunting.

Aren't there a ton of elk in there though? Seems worth it to me, and seems like you would have known its a bit of a hike before you can get into your unit when you applied for it. I have heard thats where the bigger bulls are at within the margaret/mudflow area.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: bobcat on September 21, 2012, 01:37:12 PM
You need to do your homework before applying for hunts.

This is on the WDFW website:


Special Permits

Pumice Plain, Mount Whittier, & Upper Smith Creek Special Permit Hunts

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have worked cooperatively to develop the Pumice Plain, Mount Whittier, and Upper Smith Creek elk areas and corresponding special permit hunts. These hunts are part of the implementation of the Mount St. Helens Elk Herd Plan, which calls for a general reduction in elk numbers.

Please be advised that these hunts will be very strenuous and only hunters prepared for such a challenge should apply. You are strongly encouraged to scout options for accessing the areas before the hunts begin.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 21, 2012, 01:57:21 PM
Yes the trails are nicely groomed. I was refering to the fact that you have to hike in numerous miles before you can even begin hunting.

I guess its more personal experience/expectations. Where I hunt I generaly have to walk/bike a few miles or several back behind a locked gate or up a trail to get to where I want to hunt. Sure, the entire area is open and I could hunt at the gate, but generaly there isnt very good hunting in those areas. So to me, the fact that you have to walk 3 or 4 miles before you can hunt isnt of concern.

What would keep me out of there for a cow is the terain and that you couldnt use a game cart, bike, ect..... and you would have to carry it on your back. Not that I couldnt do it, I just know of easier places to get a cow.




Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: sirmissalot on September 21, 2012, 01:59:04 PM
Yes the trails are nicely groomed. I was refering to the fact that you have to hike in numerous miles before you can even begin hunting.

I guess its more personal experience/expectations. Where I hunt I generaly have to walk/bike a few miles or several back behind a locked gate or up a trail to get to where I want to hunt. Sure, the entire area is open and I could hunt at the gate, but generaly there isnt very good hunting in those areas. So to me, the fact that you have to walk 3 or 4 miles before you can hunt isnt of concern.

What would keep me out of there for a cow is the terain and that you couldnt use a game cart, bike, ect..... and you would have to carry it on your back. Not that I couldnt do it, I just know of easier places to get a cow.

It would be kind of a fun hunt though, with about 4 buddies  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 21, 2012, 04:58:25 PM
Did my homework partner, and like I previously stated I knew what I was getting into, I just didn't know the extent of the brutality. The main reason I applied for the permit was because I drew an Upper Smith Creek cow tag the year prior, so I had one point for the draw. Statistically, this is one of the easiest cow tags to draw. This tag would be gold, if they extended the boundary all the way to Coldwater lake where tons of elk are found year round. Last year when scouting with google earth, it seems like it's pretty open from the end of Coldwater heading up into the mountains, but that just isn't the case, until you get quite a ways in!
You need to do your homework before applying for hunts.

This is on the WDFW website:


Special Permits

Pumice Plain, Mount Whittier, & Upper Smith Creek Special Permit Hunts

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have worked cooperatively to develop the Pumice Plain, Mount Whittier, and Upper Smith Creek elk areas and corresponding special permit hunts. These hunts are part of the implementation of the Mount St. Helens Elk Herd Plan, which calls for a general reduction in elk numbers.

Please be advised that these hunts will be very strenuous and only hunters prepared for such a challenge should apply. You are strongly encouraged to scout options for accessing the areas before the hunts begin.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 21, 2012, 05:21:02 PM
Yeah, google earth is like that. Old pics and it doesnt really give indication that the brush and alders your looking at are 10 feet tall or better.

How'd you do with the Upper Smith creek tag? It is easier, you could drive the 99 and look down for elk. But you likely still had to haul one up out of the hole.

Sirmissalot,
 Yeah, if a guy had 4 buds lined up with nothing better to do and no elk in the freezer, it would be a one day grocery shopping trip.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 22, 2012, 09:33:23 AM
The problem isn't the terrain.  There are plenty of good elk areas just as steep and rugged.  The problem is the red-tape.  Tiny area, limited places to camp, permit needed, no hiking off trail areas, no horses, no carts (that sounds like it changed), only stay three nights--and all of this stupid nonsense that goes against hunting, where you need flexibility due to weather etc.   These hunts were designed to fail.  The scientists don't want hunters there, even though it is required by law that the WDFW manage game.  So the scientist figure they will "manage it to death".  Only SEVEN people even applied for the cow tag!!!! In an area filled with elk!  When I pushed for the Whittier to be open I figured it would just be annexed to the Margaret.  No idea that they would create a stand alone unit here. 
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: gotcha on September 22, 2012, 11:26:32 AM
You will need more than four guys to get an elk out of there in one trip.  There is to much bashing going on here. Let everyone figure it out for themself. It is a great hunt. If you wish to go in there to get an elk great. You will find out what packing a heavy pack is for four to five miles. Just treat the elk the way they should and be prepared. It will be a lot of work. Good lick to whom is willing. It was a blast. Scott
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 22, 2012, 01:59:15 PM
First off, this was a modern rifle tag. The guys that were up there on opening day "Monday" got them pretty close to Windy ridge; however, I didn't make it up there until the following weekend. One guy who shot his cow less than 1/2mile from the trailhead was still packing his cow out five days later. Another guy who had one of the bull tags shot his pretty close, and had help with him, so he got it out relatively fast. A lady I talked to was up there by herself, and shot one in the morning way down by the river. I know it would have taken her at least a week to get it out without help. I could have shot numerous cows way down in the hole, by the river, but the weather was very nasty, and 10" of snow on the ground. Wasn't worth it to me! My wife had this tag last year, but we only made it up the last day, and saw nothing! 
Yeah, google earth is like that. Old pics and it doesnt really give indication that the brush and alders your looking at are 10 feet tall or better.

How'd you do with the Upper Smith creek tag? It is easier, you could drive the 99 and look down for elk. But you likely still had to haul one up out of the hole.

Sirmissalot,
 Yeah, if a guy had 4 buds lined up with nothing better to do and no elk in the freezer, it would be a one day grocery shopping trip.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Killercolin on September 22, 2012, 02:29:36 PM
Here's the ironic part about my Whittier tag.  I'd been pushing the Monument and WDFW to open up more land to hunting, and I pointed out this rugged sliver  in the Loowit that was between the USFS "closure" and the Margaret Unit--no reason it shouldn't be opened up, along with that side hill above Coldwater and the DNR land above the No. Toutle.   Miracle of miracles they actually listed (some)...and I drew the tag.  Now I'll be paying for it.  I plan to keep pressure on the USFS, and will give them a blow-by-blow on ways to improve the hunt.

I couldn't agree more. I had a whittier tag last year, and told myself there is no way anyone has ever shot an elk out of here. They all must poach them in that small sliver at the end of the lake that isn't open. What a stupid tag, and a waste of time! When they called and asked me what I thought of the tag after the hunt, I let them know all about it! Just goes to show the WDFW wants your money, and doesn't want you shooting their animals! I was so discouraged I didn't purchase any tags this year for the first time in my life.

The Whittier was one of the most fun hunts Ive ever been on. To call the people all poachers is kinda brassy of you. If you cant handle it, dont apply. Thought thats not a hard thing to do.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Killercolin on September 22, 2012, 02:37:06 PM
Oh and we came out with a nice bull too. Plenty of elk if you put in a good effort. We got the bull down around 9 am and got out right at dark. It was work, but the 4 of us will never forget that hunt.
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: chad s. on September 22, 2012, 03:47:59 PM
Of course you didn't poach yours. Obviously it was just a figure of speech to get my point accross. If you got your entire elk out in one day, then you had a stout group of helpers! I knew when I made my initial reply I would get jumped on, and I think you're missing my point. Would you rather have the Whittier boundary extended all the way to the lake? Maybe not, perhaps your in better shape than the 99% of us, but it eventaully will catch up with you. Do you really think the WDFW is on the side of the sportsman? I hate this stupid liberal state!
Title: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: sirmissalot on September 23, 2012, 08:51:39 AM
Oh and we came out with a nice bull too. Plenty of elk if you put in a good effort. We got the bull down around 9 am and got out right at dark. It was work, but the 4 of us will never forget that hunt.

Care to share a picture? I'd love to see it.
Title: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Chesapeake on September 23, 2012, 09:08:49 AM
Chad, we were up there last year. Probably our guy your talking about that got the 5x5 close to the road. The guys packed it out in a few hours. Our guy was in no shape to go deep in the hole. Though he tried a few days.

I like the hard work hunts. Rugged terrain and few people. It's fun to me, but it's not for everybody.

Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Bluesdude on September 24, 2012, 06:51:32 AM
Here is last years Muzzle loader bull photo.  The kids dad is a member on here.  They were deep in the unit and got him opening day.
Title: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: sirmissalot on September 24, 2012, 07:29:52 AM
Very nice bull
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 25, 2012, 04:44:29 AM
Nice bull Bluesdude!  Even better with the smokepole.  I hope they don't ever combine any of the more challenging units or hunts with existing units.  WA needs to keep the few that exist, for the hunters that enjoy that type of hunt.  I used to put in for the Watershed, but I think it is tougher than me at this point.  Maybe the same for Whittier.  Doing my best to push the limits in Margaret this year.  :tup:
Title: Re: Mount St. Helens National Monument
Post by: fireweed on September 28, 2012, 03:20:37 PM
Better access might be possible

http://tdn.com/lifestyles/coalition-strives-to-reopen-high-lakes-area-to-public/article_ca22c97c-0980-11e2-85ce-0019bb2963f4.html (http://tdn.com/lifestyles/coalition-strives-to-reopen-high-lakes-area-to-public/article_ca22c97c-0980-11e2-85ce-0019bb2963f4.html)
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