Post by: hogslayer on April 13, 2014, 12:14:22 PM
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on April 13, 2014, 01:15:51 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 13, 2014, 03:45:45 PM
actually most property down there is Hancock...
I have been hunting the area for a while now, planning on several trips to area this summer.
Post by: Tbob on April 13, 2014, 05:08:15 PM
Post by: deerslyr on April 13, 2014, 05:21:49 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on April 13, 2014, 06:31:12 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on April 13, 2014, 07:06:04 PM
Post by: hogslayer on April 13, 2014, 08:02:01 PM
Post by: slm9s on April 13, 2014, 08:04:50 PM
lots and lots of people.. ..
+1. some of the logging roads are like freeways
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on April 14, 2014, 08:04:00 AM
lots and lots of people.. ..
+1. some of the logging roads are like freeways
If there on the roads there not in the brush...better for you :tup:
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on April 14, 2014, 04:26:34 PM
Now with most gates closed all season by Hancock, allowing walk in, more vehicles parked at gates, but most only hunt a few (one-two) miles in, and drive all over state land.
Every clearcut has a truck parked at landing, but the elk take to the trees...
not hard to find a place to be alone, park the vehicle and explore...
Use other hunters to your advantage, the elk can hide in a pocket and stay there unless someone bumps them, then travel to another "hidey hole"
Find travel routes in open road areas, sit and wait..
If you like calling for them (like I do) get at least a mile from gate before daylight and hunt all day.
I average 4-5+ miles to get into vocal animals, but you need wheels (or really good friends) to get an animal out.
I dream of a big bull, but as I get further in, I pray for a calf :chuckle:
The locker in town closed last year, so meat care is important, the closest cold storage is near South Bend, so sticking an arrow in an animal late in the day, far back from the gate will require extra effort.
Good news is, closed gates restrict "Native Harvest" but most animals that do get harvested are on private property, by friends and family of landowners.
It is nice to see a herd of elk that is hanging near town, but "No Tresspassing" signs are the norm.
Most other guys access roads that take them behind private property, but they seldom actually go further.
Apple piles will get lots of bear activity, so baiting is not really an option.
It is near the coast, so salt by itself is not a draw, but mineral (selenium) does seem to attract them during the spring...
The main thing I have learned is any major drainage will hold a herd, you just have to find them.
Success rates are reflective of private property harvest, and late season, so consider that although harvest reports might show a 10%-15% success rate, a lot of those are shot from someones kitchen window (locals dont "hunt") Plus I have heard that they do open the gates for modern, they have been closed every time I have been in area.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 6 seasons down there, and had several close encounters, but only one dead animal, the brush is thick, visibility is limited, and when you are within feet of a herd, you sometimes cannot pick out the legal animal (lots of small bulls)
Still a great time, if you plan on scouting this summer PM me and we might figure out a "ride share"
P.S. Do you have a Mtn. Bike ?
Post by: hogslayer on April 14, 2014, 05:07:45 PM
Post by: MattySuto on April 28, 2014, 10:17:24 AM
It definately has changed since Weyerhauser owned the area, used to be pretty crowded during the first week on state land while WH was closed for fire danger, then thin out when the gates opened.
Now with most gates closed all season by Hancock, allowing walk in, more vehicles parked at gates, but most only hunt a few (one-two) miles in, and drive all over state land.
Every clearcut has a truck parked at landing, but the elk take to the trees...
not hard to find a place to be alone, park the vehicle and explore...
Use other hunters to your advantage, the elk can hide in a pocket and stay there unless someone bumps them, then travel to another "hidey hole"
Find travel routes in open road areas, sit and wait..
If you like calling for them (like I do) get at least a mile from gate before daylight and hunt all day.
I average 4-5+ miles to get into vocal animals, but you need wheels (or really good friends) to get an animal out.
I dream of a big bull, but as I get further in, I pray for a calf :chuckle:
The locker in town closed last year, so meat care is important, the closest cold storage is near South Bend, so sticking an arrow in an animal late in the day, far back from the gate will require extra effort.
Good news is, closed gates restrict "Native Harvest" but most animals that do get harvested are on private property, by friends and family of landowners.
It is nice to see a herd of elk that is hanging near town, but "No Tresspassing" signs are the norm.
Most other guys access roads that take them behind private property, but they seldom actually go further.
Apple piles will get lots of bear activity, so baiting is not really an option.
It is near the coast, so salt by itself is not a draw, but mineral (selenium) does seem to attract them during the spring...
The main thing I have learned is any major drainage will hold a herd, you just have to find them.
Success rates are reflective of private property harvest, and late season, so consider that although harvest reports might show a 10%-15% success rate, a lot of those are shot from someones kitchen window (locals dont "hunt") Plus I have heard that they do open the gates for modern, they have been closed every time I have been in area.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 6 seasons down there, and had several close encounters, but only one dead animal, the brush is thick, visibility is limited, and when you are within feet of a herd, you sometimes cannot pick out the legal animal (lots of small bulls)
Still a great time, if you plan on scouting this summer PM me and we might figure out a "ride share"
P.S. Do you have a Mtn. Bike ?
Are you talking about the Liquor store locker that the little old lady opens up for us hunters? It was open last year.... she used to charge us 8 bucks a day to hold everything... just make sure its tag properly .. Game wardens like to stop by....
Post by: willapawapiti on April 29, 2014, 02:46:40 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 01, 2014, 12:52:55 PM
Quote
Are you talking about the Liquor store locker that the little old lady opens up for us hunters? It was open last year.... she used to charge us 8 bucks a day to hold everything... just make sure its tag properly .. Game wardens like to stop by....
Lost their State contract, Was told it sold, not sure if new owner was still going to do that, it was closed when I went to say " :hello:" waiting for new liquor store, but not even sure about that with the groc store right there...
Post by: RadSav on May 01, 2014, 01:09:54 PM
Don't believe it, the 2007 storm pushed all the elk across the Columbia River into Oregon, hasn't been an elk in the area since. Honest ;)
Sure not like it used to be! Last time the wife and I went over there we swore we wouldn't go back. It's really gotten tough to find good areas for making long stalks. If you do go down there after grouse has opened bring a .410! Usually some darn good ruffy huntin'.
It used to also be some fine bear hunting along the river when the fish were in there. My last couple trips I never saw a bear track on the river bank. Maybe that storm pushed all the bear across the river too :chuckle:
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 02, 2014, 10:34:36 AM
Don't believe it, the 2007 storm pushed all the elk across the Columbia River into Oregon, hasn't been an elk in the area since. Honest ;)
The few that are still there in all that blowdown.
In some places you spend all day "log walking", over, under, get on top and follow it across, (why, oh, why, did I go this way?..)
Then get caught w/o your bow in your hand when you get to a good spot !