Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: dbor on June 12, 2015, 11:46:58 AM
-
(story and pictures added)
Hello all,
Looking for your thoughts and impute on how to help her get this done.. this would be her first bull elk... (Rifle) October 3-9-15
Thank you all
dbor
-
date change November 7-18 2015 any bull.. sorry and thanks again..
-
Just looking for a road, river drainage, ridge to start looking... Shoot us a pm, this was her third choice.. Do we need a Timber Co. permit??? I know someone is willing to help us out, just a little... We will do the rest...
Thank You all
Dbor
-
I wouldn't give my money to the muckleshoots, but if your daughter is to young to hike there is a bunch of good road hunting on the Hancock property. Plenty of forest service land to hunt as well, backcountry also a plenty. Pm's will come
-
That's a great tag!! Do as much scouting as possible and find the elk. She will get her opportunities :tup:
-
I would like to thank all of you that have been willing to help us... To answer a few questions, she is a first time mommy of almost five months, baby boy... She is 27 years old and I will be 55 at the time of this great opportunity... Our daughter suffers from what is called exercise induced asthma... If we take our time and are smart we will be ok... For those that are have shared info, if you are EVER are in need of information on the Olympic Peninsula, get ahold of us...(five generations here).
Thank you
dbor
-
It will be an easier hunt if you get the snow for sure, I found this set of antlers on the Hancock property a few years ago.
-
My daughter(13) has exercise induced asthma too, they have an inhaler for it. Clears her right up. Hancock permit may be worth it. I see TONS of elk in there since they aren't being hunted(much)
-
My daughter(13) has exercise induced asthma too, they have an inhaler for it. Clears her right up. Hancock permit may be worth it. I see TONS of elk in there since they aren't being hunted(much)
I think with his daughters condition the permit might be a good choice as well, but, those elk get hammered by the mucks. Especially during the rut, not sure how much they kill during the rifle season.
-
Here's a set my brother found :tup: white river has some great Bulls!!
-
Drew the muzzy tag for 10/3 -10/9 any info on where to go up there would be greatly appreciated. Never been in the area will scout it a couple of times before season but going in blind to begin with. Plan on staying at Silver Springs while I scout, do I need a hancock permit or will the national forest be better. thanks for your help in advance.
-
Good tag, I was one person away from having that tag! The Hancock pass isn't completely necessary, but if you like road hunting you could see a bunch of elk.
-
My daughter(13) has exercise induced asthma too, they have an inhaler for it. Clears her right up. Hancock permit may be worth it. I see TONS of elk in there since they aren't being hunted(much)
I think with his daughters condition the permit might be a good choice as well, but, those elk get hammered by the mucks. Especially during the rut, not sure how much they kill during the rifle season.
:yeah: I had a WR hancock pass for 6-7 years until this year, just can't stand supporting the indians. They are thick in there and will shoot anything that moves.
With that being said, there are a few spots on the property I have got some good bulls on cams, so they don't get all of them.
Don't forget they shut down any hunting in 653 within their property on the north side of hwy 410.
-
Isn't that sit down area from the fire station to the 70 rd?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Isn't that sit down area from the fire station to the 70 rd?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
From what I saw it was basically anything east of grass mountain mainline to the farthest east of the hancock property- another reason I bailed on a pass this year... maybe I will check the description on their website again to see.
-
So not quite everything east of grass mountain mainline, but no slippery creek area or the area around fed. forest that is all walk in only.
-
Yeah, they have closed one of my favorite antler hunting areas. I didn't find any bone in there this year!!! :chuckle: I will continue to look!
-
Yeah, they have closed one of my favorite antler hunting areas. I didn't find any bone in there this year!!! :chuckle: I will continue to look!
It was a wierd year... I hiked up to 5500 ft. on the norse peak trail in february without any snow! I am still wondering how high some bone was dropped this year in the area...
-
Yeah, they have closed one of my favorite antler hunting areas. I didn't find any bone in there this year!!! :chuckle: I will continue to look!
It was a wierd year... I hiked up to 5500 ft. on the norse peak trail in february without any snow! I am still wondering how high some bone was dropped this year in the area...
i hiked earlier this year in the area and found a spike deer drop around 6,000. It wasn't a good year for me as far as antlers go.
-
Yeah, they have closed one of my favorite antler hunting areas. I didn't find any bone in there this year!!! :chuckle: I will continue to look!
It was a wierd year... I hiked up to 5500 ft. on the norse peak trail in february without any snow! I am still wondering how high some bone was dropped this year in the area...
i hiked earlier this year in the area and found a spike deer drop around 6,000. It wasn't a good year for me as far as antlers go.
:yike:
We did see elk towards the top in February and March glassing from work so I guess that would be about right.
Sorry dbor we have been a little off topic :chuckle:
-
thanks for the access map. it looks like almost everything on the north side of 410 is closed to hunting, is that correct?
-
No worries gang on the topic information all is welcome. It is so nice to here from those that understand we all were given pointers from one person or the other. It makes me feel great when I can help out a fellow hunter, huntress or especially a young person. We will always be grateful for your help, lets make this happen...
dbor
-
thanks for the access map. it looks like almost everything on the north side of 410 is closed to hunting, is that correct?
That falls in the 653 gmu yes
-
Yes notellumcreek, this permit is in GMU 653 White River..
Thanks
dbor
-
Yes notellumcreek, this permit is in GMU 653 White River..
Thanks
dbor
Right just specifying for dirtsquirt because the 454 gmu also falls within hancock property north of 410.
-
I live in Buckley and have Elk on my property and my neighbor's property. Last year a young lady (16) shot a nice Bull. The year before I helped an elderly (76) gentleman get a nice bull. Up until a few years ago I was in the Puyallup unit and have taken many elk off my farm. PM me and I can get you the specifics.
-
pm sent
-
We were able to get out and look at the 653 unit Sunday, this was our first trip there. We started up the 7300 USFS rd. up to the ONP boundary. We continued across to the 7500 and out to Hwy 410... There were allot of people out enjoying the forest, ALLOT... All of the side roads seemed to be used by folks camping and enjoying themselves... This ground is steep, steep, maybe to steep in areas for our daughter(asthma)... Didn't really see much sign on our first trip but, it was a wonderful outing... I was accompanied by my five and a half month old grandson and his mommy and daddy, also along was our youngest daughters boy friend. We will be back snooping around when it cools down a little .
-
Hello all ,
Scouting update , spent some time learning as much as we could last weekend . We were able to see several goats up very high with the binos and a few elk ... Wow steep doesn't describe this area well enough ... It seemed strange sitting in a Ski Resort looking for game ... The areas we have tried and looked in seem they are going to be to much for our daughter ... Thinking of the permit side of the 410 , what do you think ? I know but , it may be better for her ... Are there any other thoughts ? Thank all of you for your help to this point ...
Dbor
-
Hello all ,
Scouting update , spent some time learning as much as we could last weekend . We were able to see several goats up very high with the binos and a few elk ... Wow steep doesn't describe this area well enough ... It seemed strange sitting in a Ski Resort looking for game ... The areas we have tried and looked in seem they are going to be to much for our daughter ... Thinking of the permit side of the 410 , what do you think ? I know but , it may be better for her ... Are there any other thoughts ? Thank all of you for your help to this point ...
Dbor
I would try to get in hancock if you don't think she can manage much around here at crystal, not only the terrain but the muckleshoots are allowed to drive up on the service roads here and I have been hearing/watching them blast away at elk for the last coule of weeks up here. Not sure if they are taking big bulls or just shooting at whatever is close to a road and moving(wouldn't surprise me). I have been seeing some decent bulls in the back country still ruttin' pretty hard. Unfortunately you will be battling the muckleshoots in hancock too but at least you will be able to drive where they can.
-
I also sent you a PM on some friendlier land.
-
Got your pm. We are going again Sunday....
Thanks
Dbor
-
any success on your White River tag?
-
any success on your White River tag?
I think the tag starts this weekend? Should be good with the snow up high! Good luck to you guys- I will let you know if I see anything this week on my commute to and from work :tup:
-
Leaving in the morning I will be camped at the Landing strip. Bought 600 ft of rope yesterday. Always wanted to get some. If you need my help let me know. Rick
-
Any luck?
-
Any luck?
:yeah:
-
Hello ,
Some of you have asked about her hunt , did she get an Elk? YES . Monster? No. Is it the freezer? Yes. Cut it up last night . I have asked her to write a little about the hunt . Thank you all for your help ... More as we can ... Story , photo ...
Dbor
-
Congrats cant wait to hear the story and see the pics
-
Congratulations to her, waiting for the story.
-
:IBCOOL: right on! Cant wait to see the story.
-
:IBCOOL:
Excellent, looking forward to the write up
-
Sweeeeeet!!! Who cares how big it is, very happy for you both!! Can't wait for the story, way to get it done!
-
HAPPY for her. Can I make her a sweet elk call. Cant wait to see story. Listening to the heavy rains here. Wish me luck hunting by the park entrance. Then going up high. CONGRATS great to hear. Rick
-
:tup:
-
Hello ,
Some of you have asked about her hunt , did she get an Elk? YES . Monster? No. Is it the freezer? Yes. Cut it up last night . I have asked her to write a little about the hunt . Thank you all for your help ... More as we can ... Story , photo ...
Dbor
I have a teenager… she's probably thinking, oh great, now I have homework too! Congrats on her kill.
-
Waiting for a pic.. Where is the little smiley face with the foot tapping? LOL
-
Waiting for a pic.. Where is the little smiley face with the foot tapping? LOL
:yeah:
-
Asking a 5th grade teacher with a college Minor in writing to write a "quick" story about her Hunt. Well, let's just say the Hunt Wa boys will love reading the novel she is preparing. Last night she wrote out an outline and is part way through her rough draft. Haha
-
Congrats :tup: Can't wait to read about her hunt.
-
Looking forward to the story. Congrats!
-
Ok, homework can wait!!!! Time for story and pics!! :chuckle:
-
Ok, times up! :chuckle:
-
Her homework is the write up on her hunt! :chuckle:
-
It should be coming very soon ... Story and pictures ...
-
First of all, I want to thank everyone on this website that aided in my adventure! I know my husband and father got a ton of great hints and tips from you all. This was definitely a team effort and I appreciate it. I apologize for not getting this story typed up earlier. I had to start with an outline and brainstorming, before typing the draft (I am a 5th grade teacher and planning is my sickness!).
To purchase the Hancock permit, or not… that was the question. After a few scouting trips, much research, and the thought of hiking my “out-of-shape-asthmatic-rear” straight up the side of a mountain, we decided the Hancock permit would be the way to go. Not to mention the nickname my father and husband came up with for an area they hiked into, “Ass-Burn Pass.”
Opening weekend came and went. We stayed down low in the flats, close to the river, saw a couple nice bulls (5x5 and 6x6), but couldn’t get a shot. These bulls were professional “road dashers!” Across the road and into the reprod so fast that all I remember seeing is a blur of antlers. At the end of the day on Sunday, I went back to the hotel where my mother was watching my 9-month old son. As hard as we had hunted, I looked into my son’s eyes and had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I felt like a failure. I wanted nothing more than to provide for my son, and I was feeling miserable that I didn’t accomplish that.
My father and I weren’t able to get back into the woods until Thursday. Skipping school is so much more rewarding as an adult! When we pulled up to the gate, there was an older man submitting his paperwork (Hancock visitors card). He was pushing 80 years old, walked with a shuffle, and had a very distinct hunch to his back. We drove in to a road we nicknamed, “Ratchet Rd,” and waited until it was light enough to see. Poking down the road slowly, we were both on pins and needles in anticipation. With my head on a swivel, I happened to see the rear end of an elk disappear as it bounded across the road nearly 400 yards in front of us (into the reprod, OF COURSE). I bailed out of the truck, thinking there would be more elk to follow, shoved two bullets into my .270 short mag, just in time to look up and see a bull standing at the edge of the road. I quickly began to pull up, right as he jumped into the reprod. I sprinted down the road and leapt into the brush in an attempt to find an opening. Nothing….. CRASH! SNAP! I knew they were less than 20ft from me, and I couldn’t see a darn thing. I backed out of the brush and headed back to the truck, dad by my side. He started laughing under his breathe as I kicked a rock in disappointment.
“What is so funny!?”
He chuckled a little bit more before saying, “You would have missed him anyways.”
“Excuse me?”
“Take a good look at your gun…. Your scope covers are still flipped down!”
“Wow.”
We both laughed the rest of the way back to the truck in light of a frustrating situation that could have possibly been MUCH more frustrating :chuckle:. Needless to say, I flipped up my scope covers right at that moment.
On our way out of that road, we ran into the old-timer, again. He was hunting on a special permit for a buck deer. He mentioned hearing a small heard of elk mewing back and forth in the timber about ½ mile from where we were. He didn’t think there were any big bulls in the group, but thought there might still be a spike if he remembered correctly from his scouting trips. We thanked him, and continued toward the location where he heard the elk.
I was feeling very motivated to bring home an elk for my family. I started thinking about my grandfather, who would have been with us on this hunt, but passed away a few months prior. I was also thinking about the lessons my other grandfather, on my dad’s side, had passed down to my dad, and then on to me…. “Don’t pass up an elk on the first day, that you would shoot on the last.” My mind was immediately made up. I was going to shoot that spike if I saw him. (I’m not going to lie. It was difficult for me to think about the monster bulls that I know were in the area, see the pictures of bulls that have been taken from that unit in previous years, and then swallow my pride.) It was like my dad had been inside my thoughts. We looked at each other and were instantly on the same page.
“Here we go,” he said with a confident smirk.
My heart began to hop around in my chest like a crazed rabbit as we approached the isolated patch of timber. Again, our heads were on swivels. Each second that passed became more intense, knowing the great possibility that the elk were within an arm’s length. The 100 yard straight stretch was eerily silent.
“Fifty yards into the timber, on my left,” dad said in a forced whisper. I whipped my head around in time to see a couple cows. Dad continued to drive slow past the section of timber so we didn’t spook them, turned around a little ways up the road, and we headed back. They were going to be on my side and I could feel my blood pressure rising. There they were again. The second I could see them, I bailed out and loaded my gun while trying to scan for a bull. I got a glimpse of an elk in the back of the herd (about 100 yards away) that looked like a spike; but, I wasn’t 100% sure there were horns on its head. Because it was still shy of 7:00 am, I needed to get closer before having the confidence to pull the trigger. With 12 eyes on me, I stepped deeper into the timber.
“The one in the back is a bull!” dad yelled from the truck. I kept side stepping to get a clear view to be able to shot between all the trees. I locked eyes with the bull. I’m not sure which one of us was more bug eyed. I could tell he was thinking about bolting because he was concerned that the rest of his cows were beginning to move. He turned his head toward the cows in an attempt to follow…. I pulled up, free hand, and found him in my cross-hairs…..He lifted his front leg to take a step- BOOM! I lost sight of him immediately, behind the trees. Cows were flying around in a panic, every which direction. I was weaving and bobbing to try and get a glimpse of the bull with no luck. Within seconds, my dad was next to me and we made our way to the spot where we thought the bull was standing when I shot. The bull had been standing in his bed when I shot (what a rude awakening).
We started scouring the ground for fresh tracks and blood, when all of a sudden I hear, “AH-OOOOOO!” My heart jumped out of my chest and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. It was my dad hollering in celebration! The bull had gone no more than 20 yards and was lying, dead as can be, in a patch of ferns. I gave it a poke with the end of my barrel for good measure. It was a double lung shot, behind the front shoulder. My dad and I shared a giant bear hug and were smiling from ear to ear. The ferns were painted red. From what we could tell, based on the pattern of blood, he had back peddled and spun a circle just before falling.
Dad grabbed my hand and we knelt next to the bull. We thanked God that we were able to take the life of the elk, in order to continue living our own. We also shed a few tears as my dad mentioned both my grandfathers and how they would be so proud of the woman I have become. I wiped my tears and laid my head on my dad’s shoulder for a minute, before laughing a little under my breath.
I looked up at him and said, “How in the world are we going to get this thing out of here?”
“Slowly,” he laughed.
He got the bull gutted out quickly, with intermittent bouts of gagging, while I held a leg. We knew the next portion of the adventure would be the most physically difficult; so, we scouted out the path of least resistance to the road. We figured it was about 150 yards from the bull to the road, due to all the zig-zagging. We had a lengthy discussion about whether or not we needed to take it out in pieces, or could manage getting it out whole. Naturally, the 55 year old, 150 lb diabetic and the out of shape asthmatic, chose to pull the bull out WHOLE.
Each of us grabbed a spike, squatted down low and counted, “One, two, three!” We managed to move him a whole 3 ft. Heave-Ho quickly turned into heave-WHOA! as we took turns getting a view of the underside of branches. A little over an hour later, we had another problem to solve…How in the world to get the elk into the back of the truck!
We looked around the truck to find things to help us load the elk. Dad pulled out a rope and a ratchet strap. He wrapped the rope around the elk’s neck, hooked one end of the ratchet strap in the front corner of the truck bed, and slid the rope through the other end of the ratchet strap hook to turn it into a pulley. He got into the back of the truck and handed me the end of the rope to act like an anchor and hold the progress we made with each pull. We got to the point where the rear end of the bull was hanging over the tailgate and my hands were going numb. A dump truck driver stopped, jumped out of his truck, and helped my dad get the rest of the elk in the truck. What a life saver!
Finally, we were on our way out of the woods before 10:00 am. It was time to bask in the glory, reminisce, and replay the story over and over to each other. About 20 minutes into our relaxing ride home, the back spasms and cramps started to hit us like a Mack truck! But, hey, it’s not everyday you see a father and his daughter work together to pull a bull elk out of the woods in one piece.
-
Nice elk , and write up. :tup:
-
Haha ...that's awesome... congrats on your bull ...nice to get the big one but in all reality , hunting is hunting and being successful is great !!! Good job !!!
-
Congrats and thank you for the thoughtful and detailed write up.
-
Congrats young lady! That's what it's all about! I'd trade every hunt I've ever been on to have had one like you just had. You were blessed to share the hunt with your dad. Great story and bull, thanks for sharing.
-
Great write up. Thanks for sharing.
-
Congrats young lady! That's what it's all about! I'd trade every hunt I've ever been on to have had one like you just had. You were blessed to share the hunt with your dad. Great story and bull, thanks for sharing.
:yeah: very happy for you both, great story and congrats on filling your tag.
-
Great job!! Nothing better than making awesome family memories to last a life time!!! Congrats to your daughter!!
-
:tup:
-
You write better than most the adults on here.. congrats on your elk and the great memories you will always have.. way to go
-
Yes, great story. I enjoyed it.
rosscrazyelk- pretty sure she is an adult, since she's a 5th grade teacher.
-
Yes, great story. I enjoyed it.
rosscrazyelk- pretty sure she is an adult, since she's a 5th grade teacher.
Yep, looks pretty adult like in her pictures too. :chuckle:
-
Yes, great story. I enjoyed it.
rosscrazyelk- pretty sure she is an adult, since she's a 5th grade teacher.
Yep, looks pretty adult like in her pictures too. :chuckle:
:yeah:
(She looks to be around..........oh, 27 years old). ;)
Again, good job. Congrats! :brew:
-
Lol... I can't see the pics. Read daughter and assumed.. you know what assuming does? Lol
-
congrats! :)
-
Congrats on your bull. I love the way you wrote it up. Lots of emotion and that is a good thing.
I had that tag 2 years ago. Not a easy hunt. Enjoy your elk and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.