Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: steeliedrew on September 08, 2013, 06:59:09 PM

Title: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: steeliedrew on September 08, 2013, 06:59:09 PM: Me and addicted2hunting bombed down to the elk woods Friday night and got an early start Saturday morning. we got on some sign and followed it down the gnarliest hill I've ever been on in terms of steepness. We ended up dropping an easy 2,000 ft in elevation into a creek bottom following nothing but elk trails. That's 2,000 ft in less 2 miles. Very steep. the terrain was so steep that it was literally hand over fist on the way out.

Here's a pic of addicted2hunting holding onto the hill on the way back up:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi630.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu22%2F206turboballs%2Fnull_zpse9b2c54c.jpg&hash=cfea314bf96485b86214b3327630ee645d1a253c)

we didn't hear any bulls bugling at night or on the morning and was just too hot during the day I think. we did try a few cow calls here and there just in case though. we found the remains of a cow and a bull down in the creek bottom.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi630.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu22%2F206turboballs%2Fnull_zps6ec769ee.jpg&hash=06e1643daa285e106feea7c6c02ef125f3caa9a0)

here's a pic of the kind of torn up trails we were on. And no, this is not a well traveled hiking trail. This is looking up at the trail leading up hill from the creek. it's an elk highway!

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi630.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu22%2F206turboballs%2Fnull_zps21b76364.jpg&hash=a8d79ec2eeaff686ced054033b3b4903813bced1)

We saw two small herds on the way to our area on Friday. The pic below was taken through my binoculars at 500+ yards. We were driving down the highway when I spotted some elk butts way up in a clearcut. turned out to be 5 cows with a couple calves. there was no way for us to get to them but cool to watch non disturbed elk doing their thing. terrible pic but did what I could.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi630.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu22%2F206turboballs%2Fnull_zps8e436635.jpg&hash=9a80ab18629f07cef7c0d355532784c0d9ec3b90)

we were both really surprised we didn't at least bump some animals. we were on tons of sign the whole way into the creek bottom and FAR from any other people. We went straight beast mode for the day. Neither of us have a GPS yet so we took a baring at the top of the hill and tied a strip of surveyors tape to a tree. Using nothing but a compass, we got to the creek bottom and back up to the same tree we tied the surveyors tape on. For being the first time either of us had done this, we're glad we weren't incompetent. haha.

We found an alder patch on a bench that was completely torn up. it had what looked like the makings of a wallow once bulls start to frequent the area. The trees were destroyed and literally...no joke...there must be HUNDREDS of rubs on big trees on this bench.

All in all a fun trip. Today we hunted some easier stuff in a familiar unit on the way home. Didn't find anything today. Weekend warrior elk hunts are HARD!!!
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: steeliedrew on September 08, 2013, 07:04:21 PM: Here's one more pic of A2H holding onto the hill for dear life. Haha. the pics don't even do it justice. These animals are crazy.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi630.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu22%2F206turboballs%2Fnull_zpsd1012a6a.jpg&hash=bc3826dcebdb9d921514c9ac74260402ac6207ce)
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: cem3434 on September 08, 2013, 07:06:50 PM: Head back to the bench with all the rubs and wait him out the next time you go out. If you are patient, he will eventually show up.
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: steeliedrew on September 08, 2013, 07:32:46 PM: Quote from: cem3434 on September 08, 2013, 07:06:50 PM
Head back to the bench with all the rubs and wait him out the next time you go out. If you are patient, he will eventually show up.

I would love to if we had some consistent cooler weather. This week is looking like it's gonna be pretty hot though. I'm thinking the bull won't be in there doing his thing yet. we are weekend warriors this year so we only have next weekend to hunt elk until late season.
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: steeliedrew on September 08, 2013, 07:39:49 PM: Also, the rubs on that bench are not active. Some are from last year and some are from years past. There is a TON of them though. The wallow is not active right now either. I think cooler weather will change that.
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: steeliedrew on September 09, 2013, 08:06:42 AM: What are the odds that we may hear some bulls being vocal in the next week? Obviously it depends on the area and weather right? but its just kind of that time of the year isn't it?
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: zackmioli on September 09, 2013, 01:57:51 PM: im heading back to my area tomorrow night to hunt wednesday-saturday morning and im also hoping they are more vocal than last week. good luck to you!
Title: Re: A few pics from this weekend.
Post by: WSU on September 09, 2013, 02:33:51 PM: They are vocal now if you are in the right place. It is the same year after year. I've had bulls not bugle one day, bugle the next, and then not bugle the next. You just have to find the right bull.