Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 12:48:34 PM
I drew it for Muzzy. Anyone else on here draw this tag? I've got to plan some scouting trips and any help that people have would be greatly appreciated.
I would love to see some success pics of the unit if anyone has any... just to get a little more excited.
Does anyone have instructions for how to go about camping there for a scouting trip and best access routes?
Thanks,
Stang
Post by: Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, 01:19:25 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 01:21:54 PM
Drive up on the 99 and look down to your left after you pass the hotdog stand. :)
:dunno:
Uhhh.... what?
Post by: wooltie on June 12, 2015, 01:24:56 PM
Post by: kentrek on June 12, 2015, 01:26:29 PM
Drive up on the 99 and look down to your left after you pass the hotdog stand. :)
:dunno:
Uhhh.... what?
Haha that's the entire unit ;)
Post by: lonedave on June 12, 2015, 01:27:26 PM
I may have to talk to you some and maybe get together with you for some scouting. I drew the muzzy cow for the same time. Problem is, I also drew an any moose, quality buck, and buck tags, so I'm not sure how much meat I can eat!
Dave
Post by: Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, 01:27:53 PM
Its in the blast zone, the 99 is the road that goes up to where you can view spirit lake and the Plains of Abraham.
Start with this map:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_007138.pdf
You'll need a NW Forest pass. Most guys camp at different pull offs along the 99 and the 25.
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 01:42:53 PM
Sorry, thought you maybe had a little idea of where and what the unit was.
Its in the blast zone, the 99 is the road that goes up to where you can view spirit lake and the Plains of Abraham.
Start with this map:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_007138.pdf
You'll need a NW Forest pass. Most guys camp at different pull offs along the 99 and the 25.
Ha, yeah, I've hunted a lot of westside elk, but never actually set foot on the side of mt. st. helens. I've got a lot of learning to do, but I've got a mostly free summer, a 28 year old back, and feel pretty ready to kick some bull butt.
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 01:43:55 PM
Congrats
I may have to talk to you some and maybe get together with you for some scouting. I drew the muzzy cow for the same time. Problem is, I also drew an any moose, quality buck, and buck tags, so I'm not sure how much meat I can eat!
Dave
Sounds like you'll be busy, you'd better focus on that moose, but I'll let you know if I go scouting.
Nice part of cow hunting is you dont have to worry if you've found the biggest one in the area (at least not as much). :)
Post by: lonedave on June 12, 2015, 01:58:06 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 12, 2015, 02:02:30 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, 02:05:27 PM
This is it in winter dress.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FCamera%2520pics%25207-2011%2520078_zpsvg9wnsmp.jpg&hash=b1b3b4c1899a0cac7f9579135a900b1e7f2556a3) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/Camera%20pics%207-2011%20078_zpsvg9wnsmp.jpg.html)
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 12, 2015, 02:08:24 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, 02:10:12 PM
Congrats!!!!! Looks like all the right info has been posted. Anywhere around Ape Caves and your in the game! :tup:
Ape canyon???
Post by: kentrek on June 12, 2015, 02:11:31 PM
Congrats!!!!! Looks like all the right info has been posted. Anywhere around Ape Caves and your in the game! :tup:
Ape caves are in the Lewis river :dunno:
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 12, 2015, 02:12:42 PM
Congrats!!!!! Looks like all the right info has been posted. Anywhere around Ape Caves and your in the game! :tup:
Ape caves are in the Lewis river :dunno:
It was a test. You guys pass. :chuckle:
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 02:31:50 PM
Are there many "big" elk up there, or is it mostly just an area with good bull opportunity?
I picked it due to the few bull permits offered for westside muzzy and the high success rates, but I haven't really heard anything about the available size of bulls in the area.
Post by: klikboom on June 12, 2015, 02:45:16 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, 02:50:59 PM
More than likely you'll get a heavy 5x5 if you work for it. You should see bulls, but seeing and muzzy range are different animals.
Its a "better than average odds at a branch antler bull" tag, not a "decent shot at a BIG bull" tag.
Look here, these bulls are what 98% of the bulls on the mountain look like.
http://www.sondrak.com/index.php/weblog/chewing_cud/
This thread has a pic of the typical volcano elk as well.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=77963.0
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 03:09:06 PM
Post by: h20hunter on June 12, 2015, 03:10:33 PM
Post by: kentrek on June 12, 2015, 03:25:31 PM
I dont have anything big going on next weekend, maybe I'll head down and get a feel for the landscape with backpack and a tent. :tup:
just letting ya know you can't camp in the unit just near...i also heard they were working on the 99 road so you might check into that before making the drive if that's the route you wana go
Should be a pretty good size group of bulls out in the plains rite now...will give ya an idea...lots of good growth up there this year
Post by: Bc316 on June 12, 2015, 03:26:34 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 12, 2015, 03:38:10 PM
Thanks Kentrek
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 12, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Does that mean you have drawn two tags that Drock didnt'? Spring bear and now this one? Also...Dinker drew....poor Drock...yeah it's fine all your stupid elk bear and deer tags just wait and see.
Post by: youngbull on June 12, 2015, 08:33:46 PM
Post by: ellusivebull on June 13, 2015, 05:59:29 PM
Post by: jeffitz on June 14, 2015, 09:03:43 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 16, 2015, 10:48:25 AM
If you get a chance, stop and talk to the owner of the Kiona Creek store on hwy 12 just west of Randle,he likes to talk hunting,and he has a pic of a dandy bull from Upper Smith Creek unit that he helped pack out.He also has some trophy blacktails hanging in there
I'll try to do this, that sounds very cool
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 16, 2015, 10:49:46 AM
Post by: elkhunter00 on June 16, 2015, 01:37:11 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on June 16, 2015, 01:55:39 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 16, 2015, 02:01:23 PM
"Bushwacking" :) You really haven't seen the unit at all have you! :chuckle: You'll have fun.
Well, I mostly meant that there don't appear to be established trails where I'd like to go (like most hunting), so I'm headed off trail as if I were hunting. I've spent several hours looking over green trails maps, the gohunt app and aerial views on google and bing. I've got a decent idea of what I'm looking at. Trying to find the best way in might be where I screw it up the first time around.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 16, 2015, 02:12:38 PM
Post by: youngbull on June 16, 2015, 08:45:10 PM
watch the thermals youll see when tge fog lifts or blows out
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 19, 2015, 07:40:30 AM
Get home from work... Sleep.
Wake up at ~3am or so and make the long drive down (planning to take the sedan instead of the truck).
Hope to park at the observatory at the end of 99 and walk in along the Loo-Wit bike path that goes towards Plains of Abraham and drop down some of the fingers from there.
Spending tomorrow night out there... somewhere. TBD
See lots of elk/elk sign and get super excited.
Return home exhausted, immediately post pictures to hunt-wa.
:tup:
This is my first solo overnight backpacking trip. We'll see how that goes. I don't LOVE being alone in the woods at night, so that will be exciting (pansy, I know).
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 19, 2015, 08:00:12 AM
Post by: kentrek on June 19, 2015, 08:33:53 AM
So you can't scoute off the trail...or camp "out there"
It's a $500 fine
Not to be redundant,just pointing this out
Post by: kentrek on June 19, 2015, 08:36:41 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/hunt_info/pumice/index.html
So you can't scoute off the trail...or camp "out there"
It's a $500 fine
Not to be redundant,just pointing this out
Or maybe you can scoute off trail in the smith creek until ?? But you can't camp ?? I'd call
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 19, 2015, 08:52:55 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/hunt_info/pumice/index.html
So you can't scoute off the trail...or camp "out there"
It's a $500 fine
Not to be redundant,just pointing this out
Or maybe you can scoute off trail in the smith creek until ?? But you can't camp ?? I'd call
Thanks, already called. The "Pummice Plain" area is not available for dispersed camping. Everything east and south of the 99 road (opposite side of Spirit Lake) is open for dispersed camping, which is the Upper Smith Creek unit. :tup:
Post by: kentrek on June 19, 2015, 09:06:33 AM
The monument boundary is the smith creek trail which is also the unit boundary :dunno:
I guess we can start another thread about confusing regulations :chuckle:
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 19, 2015, 09:12:04 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 19, 2015, 09:22:17 AM
Who did you talk to ? Cuz it's the third bullet point on the restrictions about camping in the monument...should be the same restrictions as in the MT margret
The monument boundary is the smith creek trail which is also the unit boundary :dunno:
I guess we can start another thread about confusing regulations :chuckle:
I believe I talked to Mary? Lol, I called the office number listed on the dispersed camping regulations. Here's what I've been able to find.
If you download the .pdf on this site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mountsthelens/maps-pubs
It shows you areas that you can and cannot go/camp/hike/whatever. The fact that they list places where you cannot camp would indicate to me that you can camp anywhere that ISN'T in those particularly protected area.
Also, on the VNM site, there's a pamphlet about dispersed camping, indicating that it is at least allowed in SOME places in the VNM.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mountsthelens/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=34143&actid=34
And... confirmed by Mary. So there ya go, that's all I know.
If I'm confused, at least I have a solid story that indicates why I might be confused.
Post by: kentrek on June 19, 2015, 09:40:05 AM
That's how I took it at least...if your rite then there's a few Norway pass hunters that would love to know they can camp where ever
Your 2nd link worked but the info never popped up
Either way good luck ! Youl get a whole better idea of what's going on once you look at the area in person :tup:
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 19, 2015, 09:47:03 AM
Ya that's where it gets confusing....there's no camping period in the pumice plains area but camping is allowed in the rest of the monument BUT only at the designated camping locations :dunno: that's why the norway pass is a pain due to the hikers always taking up the specific camping locations :dunno:
That's how I took it at least...if your rite then there's a few Norway pass hunters that would love to know they can camp where ever
Your 2nd link worked but the info never popped up
Either way good luck ! Youl get a whole better idea of what's going on once you look at the area in person :tup:
Both links require you to click on further links that will download pdf files. I didn't directly link the PDFs. If dispersed camping was not allowed in the entire monument area, I wouldn't expect the monument to have a pamphlet on dispersed camping. Basically, the way I understand this per conversation with the monument office and the listed documents is that you can camp wherever you want (dispersed camping, outside of designated sites) as long as you're not in one of the 3 restricted zones. Also, it appears Mt. Margaret has camping permits required, so that would be one additional regulation in that area. The rest is a respectful free-for-all.
I don't have a good handle on the Norway Pass exact area, but dispersed camping should be golden there, they just might need an overnight permit depending on how the hunt area corresponds to the Mt. Margaret "camping permit required" area.
Post by: Chesapeake on June 19, 2015, 10:39:29 AM
Upper smith creek is in the Monument, but not in any of the special areas 1, 2, or 3. There doesn't seem to be any restriction on dispersed camping in this area. If there is, no one follows it, not even the boy scouts who camp up there during hunting season doing their winter camping badges. :)
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 19, 2015, 11:01:05 AM
No fires in Mt. Margaret area... but according to dispersed camping rules I can and there are no general restrictions currently in the area.
Seems like pushing it though, we'll see how brave I feel.
Post by: kentrek on June 19, 2015, 11:51:30 AM
That will make life alot easier for you
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 10:41:13 AM
Some notes:
1) First time to Mt. St. Helens... WOW. That is all. If you haven't been, you need to go. Especially up the FS25 to FS99, just beautiful and not too many people. Seeing the blast area and Spirit lake is very very cool.
2) ELK! They're everywhere. I know its spring and they've got no worries, but I saw animals all the way there (Eatonville) and when I arrived, both inside and outside the unit. I probably saw 20 bulls and 40 cows/calves, no big herds, just groups of 2-8 or so. Actually, maybe I saw more than that, but it was quite a few
3) Walking on pummice sucks. Also, there's some pretty sketchy areas where I can see that lots of pummice has sloughed off and if it were to have happened when I was on it, it would've been certain death, like legit death.
4) Saw the first cougar prints of my life, a little bit hair raising.
5) These elk are like mountain goats. Things that my 28 year old self, with trekking poles, could physically not traverse for fear of toppling down the hill when the loose gravel gave way...were littered with elk paths. I would've thought mountain goat, but I saw elk on them. :yike:
6) No matter how you slice it, the haul out is going to be brutal, I already feel sorry for my friends
7) There is no cell service from basically Morton to the top. On the way down its about 2 hours before you can send a text message.
8) Did i say elk everywhere? I'll try to post a few pics tonight or tomorrow.
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 10:53:40 AM
Post by: PolarBear on June 22, 2015, 11:02:10 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 11:11:06 AM
They still have a month 1/2 or so left. Plenty of time to add some major bone
:yike:
I just got a little "excited" at my desk...
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 22, 2015, 11:25:00 AM
Post by: kentrek on June 22, 2015, 12:43:01 PM
Just wait until you put 90#s on your back on a pumice hill....it will literally make you cry
The bigger bulls up there will have around 300+ pounds of boned out meat...if you don't have friends, make some ! Il be busy.... :chuckle:
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 12:55:45 PM
Youl get spot service a few miles from the end of the 99 road
Just wait until you put 90#s on your back on a pumice hill....it will literally make you cry
The bigger bulls up there will have around 300+ pounds of boned out meat...if you don't have friends, make some ! Il be busy.... :chuckle:
I did see one person using a phone there, with limited success. I was too exhausted at the time to bust mine out from the depths of my bag
Post by: kentrek on June 22, 2015, 01:00:15 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 02:10:24 PM
What you're seeing here in order are:
top of Ape Canyon
Cougar Track
Most of the hunt area
Plains of Abraham
Flowers (I know... lame)
My tent set up (thanks for the borrow Mitch)
Two pics of elk from my iphone zoom, they're bulls, those are smaller ones I believe. iPhone zoom not super great.
Post by: MLBowhunting on June 22, 2015, 02:13:01 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on June 22, 2015, 02:54:43 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 22, 2015, 03:43:21 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 22, 2015, 03:47:36 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 22, 2015, 05:14:17 PM
Sent from Tapatalk, which is a mediocre app at best.
Post by: elkhunter00 on June 23, 2015, 09:03:03 PM
Post by: mburrows on June 23, 2015, 09:15:53 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 24, 2015, 07:03:06 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 24, 2015, 07:05:30 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 24, 2015, 07:23:57 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 24, 2015, 07:26:20 AM
All so little.
Now I'm personally offended... my babies are growing D --- Bag.
Jk,
We'll see what happens with the growth. The raghorns (that I didn't post) have little tufts of nothing. Unless these guys just grew earlier, I speculate there is some more horn growth to occur.
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 24, 2015, 10:06:32 AM
Post by: h20hunter on June 24, 2015, 10:20:47 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 24, 2015, 10:26:54 AM
Stang....what have you found or what are you thinking the critters will be doing when the hunt comes around? Home turf and you can expect a similiar amound of animals? More scattered and moved around?
I'm expecting not to find a herd of bulls (8 raghorns)... I'm expecting to have them be a little more afraid of me than letting me sleep 100 yards away from them all night.
Between now and then we have Lewis River archery (bordering unit), Lewis River muzzy, Upper Smith Creek archers (6 total people, 4 cow and 2 bull) and a rut. I think it'll be a bit different, but it does appear that animals like using the upper area of the unit this time of year. I really don't know what to expect, other than for them to maybe be a little less out in the open. Their color against the green right now kind of makes them pop visibly.
I expect that they'll flow into the lewis river unit, get pushed back into this unit, and then find the crap holes in this unit where archers and other muzzy hunters don't want to go... which shouldn't be hard for them.
Post by: h20hunter on June 24, 2015, 10:32:24 AM
Post by: Tschaefer72 on June 24, 2015, 05:13:34 PM
Post by: youngbull on June 24, 2015, 08:37:25 PM
makes walking on thr pumice easier
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 24, 2015, 05:00:06 PM
Post by: jeffitz on August 24, 2015, 09:25:22 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 25, 2015, 07:21:36 AM
If that 6x6 walks by during the season its getting a .54 or a misfire. :chuckle:
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 25, 2015, 07:53:38 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on August 25, 2015, 07:58:08 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on August 25, 2015, 11:22:05 AM
Post by: fireweed on August 26, 2015, 08:44:33 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on August 26, 2015, 09:48:03 AM
Post by: kentrek on August 26, 2015, 09:52:01 AM
Good to see still see lots of bull elk in blast zone somewhere. They are getting pretty scarce on the Toutle side. Any sign of hoof rot up there?
It's gaining traction in meratta creek drainage now...by this time next year there will be a whole new public opinion on hoof rot
Post by: lonedave on August 26, 2015, 08:58:26 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 01, 2015, 08:07:13 AM
Glad to see a few cows too. I'm still planning on being above Ape Canyon around the 8th, so stop by my tent if you're in the area. I'm so looking forward to carrying a few loads of meat back out of the hole! 😁
I feel like that is begging for punishment. Why wouldn't you just sit on the lookout before the windy ridge parking area and shoot cows from 50 yards off the road? Or, do you think they won't be there by then?
Its funny to me how many of the mountain tourists don't see any animals. They probably think there's few elk in the area. Nobody seems to notice them, but they're everywhere from the main lookouts.
Post by: lonedave on September 01, 2015, 09:08:31 PM
Good luck, I hope to see you hauling some meat too!!
Dave
Post by: ELK SHOT on September 04, 2015, 08:35:08 PM
Post by: Mark251 on September 04, 2015, 08:36:45 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 29, 2015, 10:57:30 AM
This is my target. Come on 10/9!
Sent from Tapatalk, which is a mediocre app at best.
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 29, 2015, 11:26:15 AM
Post by: hoof rot on September 29, 2015, 12:29:47 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 29, 2015, 12:51:39 PM
I think we can do better.
Maybe stang... You might be a lost cause d. :chuckle:
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 29, 2015, 01:04:36 PM
my cuz had that tag 2 years ago. The bow hunters had everything ran outta the easy spots by the time it was muzzie season. The big boys r down in that nasty drainage, however i never saw anything close to 300" :twocents: still wish i drew it for archery though. good luck.
This is what I'm afraid of...
We'll see. Good luck archers, I hope you get elk without disturbing the others... For my own selfish reasons.
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 29, 2015, 01:11:32 PM
:nono:I think we can do better.
Maybe stang... You might be a lost cause d. :chuckle:
Post by: TheHunt on September 29, 2015, 08:41:12 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 30, 2015, 12:57:42 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 05, 2015, 09:33:50 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 05, 2015, 09:36:23 AM
Looks like we might get some nastier weather. :'(
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 05, 2015, 09:46:01 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 05, 2015, 11:33:15 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 05, 2015, 12:15:22 PM
Post by: kentrek on October 05, 2015, 12:27:06 PM
Weather can get interesting on that side...
Can't cheat the mtn
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 05:43:14 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 07, 2015, 05:45:43 AM
I don't have all that fantsy Sitka gear. I can't survive in the woods for more than a few hours.
I got my rain gear at big 5 for 35$... Haven't melted yet.
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 07, 2015, 07:10:22 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 07, 2015, 07:17:28 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 08:30:58 AM
Post by: h20hunter on October 07, 2015, 08:34:35 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 08:44:38 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 07, 2015, 08:52:00 AM
I bought a bigger pack so I can pack more stuff I probably won't need.
Go lite as possible, so you don't blow your legs in the first two days. :twocents:
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 08:58:38 AM
Post by: MLBowhunting on October 07, 2015, 09:04:07 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 09:04:32 AM
Post by: MLBowhunting on October 07, 2015, 09:10:40 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 09:19:01 AM
Bring ityeah I know.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 07, 2015, 09:34:05 AM
To pack an elk bugle or not to pack one?
And a Hoochy Coochy Mamma!!!!! Good luck guys! :tup:
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 09:47:07 AM
probably notTo pack an elk bugle or not to pack one?
And a Hoochy Coochy Mamma!!!!! Good luck guys! :tup:
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 07, 2015, 10:01:51 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 11:05:05 AM
Post by: Threewolves on October 07, 2015, 01:09:03 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 07, 2015, 01:18:36 PM
Didn't read all the replies. A buddy and I drew the archery cow tags a few years back. Have you scouted it? It is extremely steep, but doable. I was more into it than my buddy. Usually raining sideways, wind blowing sideways. I could get up on them, even follow them 30, 40 yds back, just could get the shot. Usually nothing but butt, I didn't risk it. Yep, it is steep, just bale off the roads.
I've been up 3 different weekends. I have a pretty good feel for the lay of the land and the animals. I'm always curious about how pressure and changing conditions affect their movement though. Talked to one archer that was up there last week. Sounds like success was somewhat low among that group. Hopefully my powder and undergarments stay dry.
Post by: rosies or bust on October 07, 2015, 01:38:28 PM
UGH, I can't wait. I hope this rain doesn't change behavior too much. Sounds like they're still bugling as of now.
I just finished filling my Mudflow muzzy bull tag. They're still bugling like crazy.
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 01:49:03 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 07, 2015, 02:33:21 PM
I'm going to be like a hobbit on the fire filled slopes of mordor since we all seem to be on a Lord or the ring theme lately.
:dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 02:45:45 PM
Post by: mikelonsford on October 07, 2015, 03:23:59 PM
I just for the first time saw this thread. Makes sense for what we PM'd about. Looks like you camped in the back bowl on your scout trip? Great pics, hope you find one that will make you happy. You'll have great memories one way or the other. D Rock has nothing but blisters in his future........GOOD LUCK!! :)
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 07, 2015, 04:28:18 PM
Hi Stang,hobbits don't get blisters.
I just for the first time saw this thread. Makes sense for what we PM'd about. Looks like you camped in the back bowl on your scout trip? Great pics, hope you find one that will make you happy. You'll have great memories one way or the other. D Rock has nothing but blisters in his future........GOOD LUCK!! :)
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 08, 2015, 03:27:38 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 07:27:42 AM
ARGH, TODAY IS THE DAY! I'm so tired from staying up late to pack, still more to do unfortunately.
I cant help but thinking as I pack for a week...
...what happens if we tag out first day and don't get to use all of the goodies we've packed
...what happens if after all this scouting, new equipment, and time, we don't find a bull to hang our hat on
...what happens if D-Rock sucks at filming again
...what happens if it rains the whole time and we need a change of clothes?
...what do we want to drink if we're successful? Where the heck do you buy those little booze bottles?
...do we have enough food? Should I bring the extra tarp? How much weight do I want to pack in?
...ice, how much is too much?
...will my knight bighorn go off when the time comes? Have I practiced enough to make the shot fly true?
Just some things for consideration. :dunno:
Post by: lokidog on October 08, 2015, 07:40:46 AM
Good luck on your hunt!
Post by: h20hunter on October 08, 2015, 07:45:24 AM
:chuckle:
Good luck and I'll be waiting for a text of a dead bull.
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 07:49:18 AM
Post by: h20hunter on October 08, 2015, 07:49:57 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 07:55:21 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 08:06:43 AM
Most of all, have fun, right? :chuckle:
Good luck on your hunt!
Scouting the top/bottom/side of this unit was fun. I made videos, took pictures, camped, nearly died scaling a cliff I had no reason being on, saw a pack of coyotes, bugling bulls, 4pt blacktail, cougar tracks, bear scat
I have 6 days in there.
Now its business time. :drool:
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 08:53:03 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 09:50:43 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 09:54:38 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 09:58:15 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 10:30:00 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 08, 2015, 10:46:15 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 10:49:54 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 10:51:29 AM
Rain AND wind. My favorite combination.
Post by: 7mmfan on October 08, 2015, 11:04:09 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 01:52:37 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 02:39:46 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 08, 2015, 03:17:45 PM
No, she didn't even make us cookies...
Boy I think I'd tell her to be out of my life before I got home from this hunt...... :yike: :chuckle:
Post by: 7mmfan on October 08, 2015, 03:19:14 PM
No, she didn't even make us cookies...
Boy I think I'd tell her to be out of my life before I got home from this hunt...... :yike: :chuckle:
Be careful. You bash her to much, she may find another firewood supplier while you're gone.
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 03:21:45 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 08, 2015, 03:31:53 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 08, 2015, 03:38:10 PM
Have a good hunt.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 08, 2015, 03:41:47 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 03:45:44 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 08, 2015, 04:34:01 PM
Sent from Tapatalk, which is a mediocre app at best.
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 08, 2015, 04:36:10 PM
Post by: Buckmark on October 08, 2015, 04:39:08 PM
D, must of been a small load..
Post by: 7mmfan on October 08, 2015, 04:55:03 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 08, 2015, 05:04:15 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 09, 2015, 07:06:55 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 09, 2015, 08:24:41 AM
Post by: Ccortez on October 09, 2015, 08:42:15 AM
Hopefully they took care of their wood packing before the trip. Something awkward about 2 guys packing wood together in the wilderness late at night...
It's awkward you guys are talking about another man's wood. .. :yike:
Post by: Buckmark on October 09, 2015, 09:21:38 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 09, 2015, 04:21:31 PM
Post by: Buckmark on October 09, 2015, 04:23:25 PM
D rock cancelled, it rained guys...I could see that, he does not want to get wet and shrink :chuckle:
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 09, 2015, 04:32:06 PM
Let's see this stud bull!
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 09, 2015, 07:33:45 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 09, 2015, 07:48:18 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 10, 2015, 09:33:34 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 11, 2015, 07:55:12 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 11, 2015, 05:22:51 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 12, 2015, 07:10:14 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 12, 2015, 07:26:39 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 13, 2015, 08:33:46 AM
He's in over 4 miles.
:tup:
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 14, 2015, 07:06:37 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 14, 2015, 01:16:09 PM
I went on 3 scouting trips for 6 scouting days, the last one being 2 weeks ago. I was everywhere in the unit. The elk were in basically the same places from June through the end of Sept. I was in shape, had a plan, had scouted the crap out of the unit, and then a weather formation ruined it all.
Day 1: We knew rain was coming. Right off the bat, saw a herd of 4, cows and a spike. Kept walking. 200 yards later, a bull, but alone. The one I was looking for had an obvious herd of 20 with it, not my bull. 200 yards later, I poked over an embankment, cows at 150 yards. I pulled back to get my buddies to come witness a possible kill (and video), as I poked back over the hill it became apparent that they were on their way downhill, either due to weather or due to sniffing us out, I watched a very good bull slip into the bushes at 150 yards on his way out of the unit (I didn't know that at the time). I tried to pursue, and saw 4 more cows in a different area on their way down. I walked probably another 400 yards and came across a herd of 9 cows at 170 yards, no bulls. We all gathered up to discuss what we'd seen and decided it was time to go set up camp as it was now about 10:00am and the rain was supposed to start. Got camp set up as the rain began. Gathered some courage and dropped into a big bowl. As we got to the bottom we spotted a herd of probably 15 up high on the other side. I jumped up the hill (super steep, not a jump at all) and right as I got there visibility went to 30 yards as fog rolled in. Had a raghorn and 3 cows at <30 yards on a ridgeline and decided to pass. Had 2 bulls and a whole herd on my right at >30 yards that I could hear so close I could almost touch them, but the fog put the end to that. We went to bed and spent on of the worst nights in a tent of my life. Virtually zero sleep, tent whipping in the 40mph+ wind. Sleeping bags were soaked, clothes soaked, and every hunting partner miserable.
Day 2:
We woke up, went for a similar walk as day 1, saw the same 3 cows and spike that we had seen on the opener but way lower than they had been and in a place where humans shouldn't go. This is all we saw for the morning. We went back to the tent and decided we had to go back to the camper, 4.5 miles back at the parking lot, to dry off. On the hike back we were completely BEAT my 40+ wind and rain. Our packs weighed a ton with all of the wet clothes and water they absorbed. DRocks waterproof cover had a several pound puddle of water that had blown into it during the hike. We left the tent with its 12 stakes and guy-wires and all of the stuff we'd need when we came back. When we got to windy ridge the rain and wind were POUNDING. One side of my camper looks pressure washed, its beautiful. On the not so beautiful side, it ripped my awning off, which wasnt even deployed. It just ripped it off in stowed condition. It is honestly the closest thing to a hurricane that I've ever experienced. I'm not sure what the wind speeds were, but the gusts HAD to have been 60+. It was absolutely brutal. The amount of water was extreme. We did see a couple of herds on the way back that were bee lining for lower cover. 2 herds to be exact. One was the raghorn and 3 cows I had seen the night before and the other had a 4 or very small 5x5 and were headed down as well. They were both in mostly inaccessible locations and we were kind of doing the same thing, getting out of that mess. We decided to grab burgers and a beer that night and went to Randle. Randle had no power. We went to Morton and had burgers at the Bucksnort (great burger btw). It was a long trek for a burger, but we didn't realize the power was going to be out in Randle.
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 14, 2015, 01:40:47 PM
We decided to glass close to the road in the morning as it appeared that nobody was hunting up by the road at all. Saw a herd with one spike in it. Decided we'd better get on our hike back in. As we walked, the fog rolled in and ruined our plan to glass-as-we-hiked. DRock turned around about halfway in and went home. My other buddy, J, and I rolled on. We did some glassing from a high point as the fog cleared and did manage to see one of the same herds, in the same hole, as were there on our hike out the day before. It was a couple of cows and some small bulls, again, in a place that would only really be suitable to hunt with a drone, plus the weather was looking up and I was convinced we'd find one of the two bulls I was after. Then... we spotted the tent. It had blown off a cliff and was hanging there like a popped balloon. It was probably over a mile away from us. We decided we'd better go see if we had a place to stay that night or not. We ended up finding most of the stakes. Took us 3 hours to find the rain fly, the tent was actually unbent and just minorly scratched after its tumble off of a mountain. It had gone probably 150 yards and needed major deconstruction to get everything apart and out. Fortunately, it all went back together and our air mattress wasn't even popped (probably the only good thing to happen on this trip). We went back up to our same favorite high point to glass that night. Saw the same bulls/cows down in the hole and happened to spot a REAL nice 5x5, one that I had seen in every scouting trip, across the bowl, too far for the evening hunt. We planned to hunt him in the morning and if that didn't go well we'd go down in the hole and hunt these other ones as a consolation prize and get out of here. The hike back to the tent was beautiful, the pics behind the mountain were amazing. Beautiful pink colors. We were really ready to kick some butt the next day.
Day 4: We woke up sick. Sore throats, low energy, J had pinkeye and his eye was sealed shut. J went to the top of the ridge to spot, I took my radio and went to where we'd seen the 5x5. No sign on the ridge that held so many elk the first day and every day I'd scouted. Nothing since the rain storm. J spotted 1 elk on the hill, and I wen to work. He thought it must have been the 5. I tried to get into the thick stuff it was in and wind changed, he bumped at probably 50 yards. J watched him from afar and he bedded again. We made another plan and then J realized it was actually a very young spike. The 5 was nowhere to be found on that whole hillside. I decided that was it, time to go down in the hole where those smaller bulls and cows had been for days. We looked, they were gone. For the evening hunt we decided to walk that finger all the way down again, and down the other side where we had so much action the first day. Hoping that maybe some animals would be coming back up with the nice weather. We went all the way to the end without a trace. All the way to where we had seen the 5 the night before and waited. A bull showed itself... it was the young spike again. :bash: I had an opportunity to shoot it there, but decided that where we were, about 5.5 miles in, the meat wasn't worth it and shooting a spike wasn't going to thrill me. We left it and returned to camp, exhausted, sick, and deflated.
Day 5:
We woke up feeling absolutely terrible. Couldn't hardly hike, definitely not well uphill. Coughing, low energy. I had the chills and a fever the night before. I was nauseous and couldn't eat anything. We made it to our glassing hill only to find it too foggy to see. When it cleared, we spotted our spike again first thing. The elk in the hole still weren't there. We did see 2 cows and a calf above us, they were moving quickly and headed somewhere else. Not sure where. Didn't matter, I couldn't shoot them anyway. Then, as we were about to give up for the morning, we spotted the 5x5 over a mile away, right where he had walked onto the hill side 2 nights before. He was leaving, going somewhere. Had he bedded, or fed or something, I'd probably be telling a different tale, but somehow he had managed to stay hidden in our entire spike game the day before and now had simply decided to leave. J and I looked at each other and decided we didn't have the energy to walk all the way down there to look for an elk that we probably wouldn't be able to find when we got there. At that point we decided we had to go home. We were too sick, the elk were too few and far between, and we didn't have enough vacation days to spend them doing this. On the way back, (which was brutal, weight wise), we saw probably 80 animals bedded in Pumice Plain. :bash: No other hunters up on top anywhere that we could see. Saw one other hunter our entire time there and he drove in and went running towards the spike we saw on the morning of day 3 (with no orange).
All in all, it was probably the most preparation I've ever done for a hunt in my life, which makes it all the more painful that it turned out as one of the worst hunts I've ever been part of. My only REAL opportunities were on the first day and unless I knew the storm was going to be that bad or that it would drive all the animals out, I probably would've still played it the same way again if I had the chance. You can't plan the weather, but it really ruined what could've been an awesome hunt for us. Getting sick didn't help either. I know J isn't on here, but a big thanks to him for taking off so many days of vacation to help me in my misery. A big thanks to DRock for coming to help out and instead experiencing the worst storm I've ever had to sleep in.
I'll post some pics later, when I get out of bed and get my camera.
-Stang
Post by: rosies or bust on October 14, 2015, 02:11:54 PM
Post by: clearwater on October 14, 2015, 08:24:44 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 15, 2015, 07:38:47 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 15, 2015, 07:49:30 AM
Post by: klikboom on October 15, 2015, 11:07:51 AM
Post by: Chesapeake on October 15, 2015, 02:12:18 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 15, 2015, 06:19:03 PM
Post by: lonedave on October 15, 2015, 10:03:34 PM
Post by: mikelonsford on October 26, 2015, 12:40:10 PM
Mike