Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: MichaelJ on July 26, 2007, 07:12:57 PM

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Title: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on July 26, 2007, 07:12:57 PM

Well as most of you know I drew the Peaches Ridge Archery Bull tag this year and was looking for some help... it came in the form of some members here but mostly from my buddy Mike Henne from MM.com... he goes by Deerhunter4485 I believe...  We took his horses into a spot yesterday to do some scouting and had a blast!  Didn't see any big bulls but found quite a few cows and some smaller bulls... I'll let the pics tell the story!  Also, if you know where this area is, try to keep it under your hat please...  I checked with Mike and he gave me the go ahead on posting the pics so here it goes!

We got in some fishing before dark on the first night and caught us some TASTY trout!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting005.jpg&hash=da2704c7b88dda15a6d3b7ceeb4cfe91d2492114)

Saw a LOT of Goats in this area... sorry the pics are so blurry here...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting006.jpg&hash=d6b1540800a1c6e21f18bc4be8f9979fac823269)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting009.jpg&hash=787898982607385499ae855126bd26d5b2892020)

First light...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting010.jpg&hash=49fa47af752c84f454cba9f26f9faf74dab6d4aa)

Thanks to my AWESOME elk spotting abilities I sighted this BULL at a whopping 80 yards! haha
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting011.jpg&hash=b4c7c3b69114a62f7f1c226dc1b6c14d8c8a997f)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting012.jpg&hash=21240ea3d159373c53885e758550a890b68a4c69)

More Country...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting014.jpg&hash=7ffc22776526da7c6f03496952346dee9fc58b60)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting015.jpg&hash=15400a57a48cd45ac3e26fcaa62c5cb92c293957)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting003.jpg&hash=fd1da1809f2d96c580c4e190f33d002f96bc4436)

Couple Elk...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting016.jpg&hash=bef5c981a70ac9b9eb16527da24f25411d80db7a)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting017.jpg&hash=a3b9c5254e7939a94c41908475d2e993052f5a44)

Our fearless guide... who also likes to steal sleeping pads! haha
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting018.jpg&hash=e9711f6119df6047c91b107daba315a74b46ff44)

Myself...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting021.jpg&hash=3f4f5628af26f02b97f07368c4834f34f3538430)

We even found some radio collared elk!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting025.jpg&hash=bf195c6d08e112f04d3fc1086d619c57ac9fc139)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting026.jpg&hash=aaef249501bf4dfefbd84d89b5146b73ee964580)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting027.jpg&hash=fd022b7058179ad82ef30393b8e4769f97b58ac5)

And coming back into camp we found some cows coming right in to feed with the horses!  (Though the horses didn't know what to think!)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv458%2FMoparKid69%2FPeachesScouting036.jpg&hash=d84d506b5ebc2148acf907f2398b2532b9d478d1)

Thats all I got for now!  Seems that the next time I'm there will be 2 days before the season to scout what basins are holding elk, how the rut is progressing, and to see if a muley buck will show himself aswell!

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Ray on July 26, 2007, 07:20:03 PM

Great photos!

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on July 26, 2007, 07:21:29 PM

Thanks!  What changes in herd behavior can I expect from now until Sept 8?  'Should' they still be in the same areas?

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: boneaddict on July 26, 2007, 07:50:18 PM

I have to keep it under my hat.  Well OK.  You are in a very nice area.  I have bowhunted it several times.  Nailed a spike in there, well a spike by 3 point.  I about crapped my pants when I walked up to him.  anyway and had to carry  him out on my back.  Not sure I'll do that again.  Missed the mules on that trip.   I was thinking about taking the girls in there this weekend for another expedition.  I've never seen that many goats in there.  THATs COOL!   The elk will be in the same place until opening morning.  Then it is just a matter of being in front of them or should I say in front of everyone else each day as the elk get bumped from one spot to another.  They usually stay in pretty big bunches in the beginning as they get bumped.  One of your best bets in there is to listen to bulls rubbing trees.  They make alot of racket that early season banging branches together and tearing things up.  Generally not as much bugling as most think.  I've seen many still in velvet the first three days of the opener.   Awesome pics, and thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: boneaddict on July 26, 2007, 07:53:15 PM

PS....you'll see ALOT bigger bulls in there as you approach September and the days cool a bit.  They are timbered pretty heavy and watered up pretty well and mostly nocturnal because of the heat.  If you happen to scout on a cooler day, they will come out earlier for you and you will get to see them.   Don't pressure their little honey holes much or they will move out and leave you the lovely little ones to look at.  and for Gods sake don't dink around with a bugle trying to call them too early or before your hunt.  Its the quickest way to screw it up.  Trust me.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on July 26, 2007, 08:45:40 PM

Thanks for the advice bone!  You sure we're thinking about the same spot?  My regs don't even show a general archery season in the Little Naches unit... They show a rifle, but no archery...

And don't worry, I plan on bugling only to locate and that'll be after I'm hearing bugles daily...

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: boneaddict on July 27, 2007, 06:44:58 AM

Yep, I'm sure.  Pm'd you so not to reveal whats under your hat.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: GoldTip on July 27, 2007, 02:31:22 PM

Very cool pics, good luck that looks like a great unit.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Slenk on July 27, 2007, 02:40:23 PM

Quote from: MichaelJ on July 26, 2007, 08:45:40 PM

Thanks for the advice bone!  You sure we're thinking about the same spot?  My regs don't even show a general archery season in the Little Naches unit... They show a rifle, but no archery...



And don't worry, I plan on bugling only to locate and that'll be after I'm hearing bugles daily...

Michael

Haha
Ya gave it away Pard .
I was looken at them pics real hard .
Knew I'd been there packed a few out of there back in the 1960s .
Don't wrry I won't tell !!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Guy on July 27, 2007, 06:14:23 PM

Great photos! Looks like a very good scouting trip, particularly with the trout dinner!

I'll bet those horses were just a bit confused about all those strange critters coming down out of the mountains to feed with them...

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on July 27, 2007, 08:23:37 PM

Slenk, just cause you know it's in the Little Naches doesn't mean you know where it is!  ;)

Guy, yep the trout were TASTY and fought like little devils! lol  and the horses were sure baffled, didn't know quite what to think!

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Slenk on July 28, 2007, 06:43:30 AM

MichaelJ
I have a long history of hunting that area . Going back to the 1950s . And ya I do know where it is !
I have killed Elk or been with guys that have killed Elk in there a long time . Have you ever been from Goverment Meadows to Easton ,Crow Basin , Little Crow Lake ,Cougar Valley , Sand Creek ,Crow Creek (a buddy killed an nice bull there once and had a bear get half of it before we could get it out the next day) ? I Hunted Jungle Creek & Pillup Creek before there were any roads in there .
Like I said before I'm not going to tell your spot to anyone . And I'm to bamn old and banged up to go in there any more .
Slenk

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: deerhuntr4885 on July 28, 2007, 08:14:02 AM

Nice post Michael but I'm confused...Are you after deer or elk?  Clearly you have not learned the difference between a BULL and a BUCK!  Next time I'll make sure to sit down with you and show you a picture book...Hahahaha! 

You forgot to mention....How many of those fish did you catch? 

Seriously...Like I told you.  Find the cows and the big bulls will find them too when the time is right.  They will be there. 

Mike Henne

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on July 28, 2007, 07:03:09 PM

Slenk,
No need to show your credentials to me... notice the " ;-) " in my post?
Mike, haha ya I knew about the mis-spelling but was a little lazy in correcting it!  Glad to see you on here finally!  Also, why don't you hook me up with a nicer reel and maybe I'd catch more fish! lol

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Muleyslyr on July 30, 2007, 11:58:58 AM

Great pics Michael.....looks like you found a pretty good spot.

Sent you a PM.......

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on August 01, 2007, 12:44:21 AM

Pm returned there buddy!

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: boneaddict on August 02, 2007, 08:59:57 AM

Sent you another note Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on August 02, 2007, 07:35:31 PM

Returned...

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: BaseballStud20 on September 06, 2007, 01:16:48 PM

Micheal and Boneaddict...my uncles have been hunting the little naches unit for the last twenty years. They said the hunting used to be great and they would always get an animal until about five years ago. They rifle hunt and said there are usually lots of people up there during the season. He said there are lots of animals around and that I should come over and he would show me the area during bowhunting season...but my regulations show its a spike or cow unit only. And there is no early season during the rut for bow...am I missing something or is all of that true?

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: jackelope on September 06, 2007, 01:39:09 PM

MichaelJ drew an early archery bull tag...special permit peaches ridge is what they call the area. it's little naches and taneum units combined if i'm not mistaken. i'm certainly no expert.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on September 06, 2007, 01:40:19 PM

BaseballStud20,
There is no ARCHERY season in the Little Naches unit, only in the Taneum unit...  So the only way one can hunt archery there is by drawing a special permit...

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: General Disarray on September 06, 2007, 02:39:19 PM

unless you're hunting deer.  I still can't figure out why this state does that.  Cowiche, Bethel and Little Naches have no General Archery season, just special "Bull only" tags yet they run a 30 day general deer season in there...

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: BaseballStud20 on September 06, 2007, 02:58:51 PM

I have the regulations book right in from of me MichealJ...there is no early season archery hunt in the Little Naches unit...your correct. There is however a late season archery hunt that runs from Nov. 20-Dec. 8 in the Little Naches Unit.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on September 06, 2007, 04:55:05 PM

General, I understand it... deer are few and far between up there from what I've seen and the area doesn't get pressured terribly hard by the deer hunters I'm guessing...  If they had a general archery up there it'd be a zoo with people hunting spikes.  It's okay by me if they don't have a general season there!  :)

BaseballStud,
You are correct about the late season, I was only concerned about the early season because that is what I will be hunting.  And I'm guessing access will be pretty hard with as much snowfall as they have on the late season.  Though I can't tell you for sure.

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: bowpredator on September 07, 2007, 06:14:12 PM

Hey, michaelj good luck on your peaches bull, I'll be hunting there also for the whole 2 weeks if need be. I will be camped down on little naches rd on the corner with the 1901 rd. there will be a trailer there. If you need any help packing anything out just swing by and see if I'm there or just leave a note.I will be driving a black ranger. good luck.

RODGER.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: boneaddict on September 08, 2007, 06:22:27 AM

I go up and get my Christmas tree in there about the time the late season is going on.  Its very choatic, even for a bowseason.  People are stacked like cord wood.  They get animals, but mostly on the side of the road.  You can tell by all of the big red patches all over.  Very nice for the hunter image when all of the cute little tree hugging to be families come up to cut down a tree.  Anyhow.  For a cow or spike season its more insane than the modern opener.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: jackelope on September 08, 2007, 07:19:34 AM

mike...did you go?

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on September 08, 2007, 05:26:23 PM

Couldn't go as time wasn't there...  We're heading in Wednesday for the duration of the season... then I'll be off from the 21-25 on a highhunt.  We'll take lots of pictures!

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: jackelope on September 08, 2007, 07:22:14 PM

thats great assuming that means you can draw your bow...
good luck.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on September 09, 2007, 08:55:48 PM

Jackelope,
Bow is drawn back and broadheads are sighted in!  I've actually shot way better the last week than I did before hand...  :IBCOOL:
Just got some bad news, we'll only be in till sunday evening, but I may go to a different area by myself without the horses later the next week...

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: MichaelJ on September 16, 2007, 02:38:38 PM

Well I'm back with no luck... hunted from wed-today and seen a couple rag horns with a REALLY nice 6x6 that we were close to getting on... bulls sang a little in the morning then were QUIET from 7 AM till near dark...  really hot weather and no response to calls whatsoever.

Might try to take off tomorrow for a different area but need someone to go with as my Dad can't take anymore work off...  Any takers? lol

Michael

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: Coasthunterjay on September 16, 2007, 02:48:46 PM

cool pictures. looks like some good property.

Title: Re: Scouting Pics... dialup beware!
Post by: mkcj on September 16, 2007, 03:38:49 PM

great pics good luck! Looks like they liked the horses