Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 08:04:58 PM

Title: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 08:04:58 PM: I get to rifle hunt in the Toutle Sept 22-26. Are there any toads left in there? I chased a nice one around there 12 years ago, but a lot has changed since then.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2014, 08:09:26 PM: Awesome! That should be a really fun hunt. Do you plan on buying the Weyerhaeuser permit?
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 08:13:51 PM: The area I'm familiar with is on Weyerhauser land, so probably will buy the permit, unless it's too ridiculous a price.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2014, 08:20:11 PM: I would definitely buy it if I had that permit. It's only $150.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 08:43:48 PM: The hunt takes place Monday thru Friday. Not sure if the Weyerhauser land will be an option on weekdays. But 150 isn't too bad, assuming the land is open.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2014, 09:05:03 PM: Yes it will be open during the week. Look at #9 on this list:

https://www.wyrecreationnw.com/forms/LongviewSpecialConditions.pdf (https://www.wyrecreationnw.com/forms/LongviewSpecialConditions.pdf)
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 09:21:54 PM: That's good to know. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Sneekee23 on June 13, 2014, 12:39:35 AM: Should be a fun hunt backstrap... really don't no anything about the north end but if you need help on the southern pm me.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: RadSav on June 13, 2014, 03:11:53 AM: Got to work A LOT harder for a toad these days than you did 12 years ago. They are still around, but they are few and far between anymore. I saw two early last year. One on the north side that might have gone 310 -320. Two standing together on the south end that might have broke 330. Those are toads for the Toutle anyway!

There is a non-typical running around on the south end too! Probably won't score real high, but he is quite the cool old bird. Rumor has it he made it through the 2013 season.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 13, 2014, 05:00:56 AM: I've spent quite a bit of time in the Toutle (Bull tag 2009, cow tag 2011, 2012) and unfortunately I watched that herd drastically decrease year after year. I imagine it hasn't improved with the continued spread of hoof rot.

Good luck and PM if you need a starting off point.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Dutchie on June 13, 2014, 12:44:28 PM: If you buy the gate key send me a pm, this is the first year you will be able to drive in durring the rut.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: CavemantheHunter on June 13, 2014, 12:54:57 PM: Got within 93 yards of a monster 6x6 late season archery on the north side last year. I've seen a lot of raghorns in there, but nothing even close to that beast. Had it been rifle or muzzleloader, I would have a trophy. So yes, there are monsters back in there still, just a lot harder to come by.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: DARKTIMBER on June 14, 2014, 09:25:05 AM: Had archery tag there last year. Not at all what it use to be. But did see SOME bigger bulls. Not sure if having rigs driving around during the rut is the best thing. Might shut them up
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Alan K on June 14, 2014, 09:27:49 AM: Cross your fingers there isn't any fire danger.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Eli346 on June 14, 2014, 11:30:30 AM: :yeah: We drew the Margaret and I'm hoping the fire danger isn't messing this hunt up. I can't recall if the woods were open down there for the hunt last year. Does anyone know for sure?
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Bullkllr on June 14, 2014, 11:46:58 AM: Quote from: Backstrap on June 12, 2014, 08:04:58 PM
I get to rifle hunt in the Toutle Sept 22-26. Are there any toads left in there? I chased a nice one around there 12 years ago, but a lot has changed since then.

You may need to get a bit lucky to get a true "toad" but that should be a really fun hunt. And worse case you end up with a nice bull at least. Great tag to have. I'm envious.

Quote from: Eli346 on June 14, 2014, 11:30:30 AM
:yeah: We drew the Margaret and I'm hoping the fire danger isn't messing this hunt up. I can't recall if the woods were open down there for the hunt last year. Does anyone know for sure?

Last year IIRC it was closed to all access, then opened right around the opener-maybe a few days after- for walk-in only, then stayed that way through the early season. All depends on weather.
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: kentrek on June 14, 2014, 12:11:08 PM: Quote from: RadSav on June 13, 2014, 03:11:53 AM
Got to work A LOT harder for a toad these days than you did 12 years ago. They are still around, but they are few and far between anymore. I saw two early last year. One on the north side that might have gone 310 -320. Two standing together on the south end that might have broke 330. Those are toads for the Toutle anyway!

There is a non-typical running around on the south end too! Probably won't score real high, but he is quite the cool old bird. Rumor has it he made it through the 2013 season.

Any pics ?????
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: DARKTIMBER on June 15, 2014, 12:43:20 PM: Head down to the cougar store. The owner has a shed of a monster that is still down on the south side
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: Backstrap on June 18, 2014, 11:45:26 AM: I've killed 3 5 points (one was a 6 the previous year...), but never a 6 or better. Thinking about holding out for a 6, at least for a few days. I'm also reminded that I ate my last toutle tag, because I was chasing a massive mature 5.

At this point in my life, I also tend to prefer animals on the uphill side of the road... ;)
Title: Re: Toutle Early Modern Rifle (2033)
Post by: TMortensen on June 22, 2014, 01:02:19 PM: There are a few to be found. I scored out the shed at the cougar store last week. Its right at 145" thick and heavy and still alive. There's a patch of land on the South side that never seems to get hunted, Right of way to the gate is along a property line and looks like a drive way. If you don't mind hiking it will take you into some prime area. PM me and I'll dial ya in on this area