Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: kkc66 on June 14, 2014, 09:43:11 PM
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I drew a upper smith creek cow tag as my 2 choice with 3 points .im looking for any info on that area
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What kind of shape are you in and how well do you know the area? You might have to burn quite a bit of boot leather to be successful.
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My bro in law drew that tag a few years back . That is not a slam dunk tag. Be prepared for some steep and deep country. We did get into elk but it was some gnarly country with a lot of drop offs. After his hunt I vowed only to put in for the bull tag. Not worth a cow for me. There are a lot easier tags. Pm me and I'll tell you some more info. Oh yeah make sure you wear Hunter orange(required for the tag with all weapon types). It's so they can find you if something happens!
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I drew the bow cow tag last year and came home empty handed. Although the country holds plenty elk, they are smart and have the ability to move through that tough country like it is nothing. I dropped in from 99 using the switch backs off the main trail and spent the better portion of my time in the headwater of smith creek. The elk feed into the upper Plateau from both the smith creek drainage and the pumas plains, each morning the elk would be feeding at or above timberline and at day break they would move down hill into the drainage. During the hunt I had several opportunities to shoot bulls but the cows were out of range. Overall, I enjoyed the challenge, the chase and the opportunity to hunt the high country. Good luck on your hunt and if you have any specific questions I'll be happy to help.
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Drive out the 99 road and when you get past the smithcreek trail (Boundary) start glassing. There's a couple drainages where if you can shoot 4 or 500 yards it will be just a matter of time. Bring a barrel of rope or cable to haul them up. It's one of the tougher caw tags to fill. Can be very physically demanding.
