Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: MLhunter1 on August 19, 2015, 08:40:17 PM

Title: Observatory Hunt
Post by: MLhunter1 on August 19, 2015, 08:40:17 PM: How many of you drew a archery bull tag? I'm getting excited. Making my 5th scout trip Sunday having never hunted it prior to this year. Spent first 2 trips in the 342 thinking without a gen season that would be the place. I was wrong. Last 2 trips have been spent in the frost and quartz mtn areas. Seen plenty of cows but no bulls. But I imagine these cows will all have a bull with them come the last week and hopefully others nearby wishing they were with them. Good luck to you guys out there. Not sure what to expect company wise come Sept 12th but sounds like the 340 is a popular hangout but that won't bother me too much. I know how to lace up my boots. I'm pumped.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: Watimberghost on August 19, 2015, 08:46:41 PM: Good luck to you. My mother drew that tag as well. We are excited to attack it come sept 12!
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: coachcw on August 19, 2015, 09:00:53 PM: You will have company .... don't over look 342 for a bull ... the rut will make all the difference.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: elkchaser54 on August 19, 2015, 10:53:55 PM: My dad drew observatory this year. Will be camping in manastash campground if its not too full come friday before season.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: GameHunter1959 on August 20, 2015, 03:21:36 AM: I am sitting on a ridgeline on Quartz Mtn. as I type this. Got here yesterday afternoon. Spent the night in the truck listening for bugles. No elk, but a little sign here and there. My dad has the modern bull tag. I spoke to a couple of archery guys. They claim their cameras show only bulls, no cows.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 20, 2015, 06:46:05 AM: Quote from: MLhunter1 on August 19, 2015, 08:40:17 PM
How many of you drew a archery bull tag? I'm getting excited. Making my 5th scout trip Sunday having never hunted it prior to this year. Spent first 2 trips in the 342 thinking without a gen season that would be the place. I was wrong. Last 2 trips have been spent in the frost and quartz mtn areas. Seen plenty of cows but no bulls. But I imagine these cows will all have a bull with them come the last week and hopefully others nearby wishing they were with them. Good luck to you guys out there. Not sure what to expect company wise come Sept 12th but sounds like the 340 is a popular hangout but that won't bother me too much. I know how to lace up my boots. I'm pumped.

I drew rifle rut tag, what was wrong with 342 :dunno:
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: nw_bowhunter on August 20, 2015, 10:27:42 AM: My first trip over I was on the edge of 342 and I saw 2 nice bulls with cows. Looked like a good unit to me. I'm hunting 346 though..
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 20, 2015, 10:48:30 AM: Big bulls with cow
What where the dates of that incounter
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 20, 2015, 10:54:22 AM: Were
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: PlateauNDN on August 20, 2015, 12:37:40 PM: I Was In 340 1.5 Weeks Ago and a 5pt was already starting a small harem. Was in Lil naches this past weekend and a bull below me was screwing like crazy for quite awhile. If I had awesome jphelps cow call :tup: I would've messed with him but I didnt.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: MLhunter1 on August 20, 2015, 06:07:26 PM: Nuthing wrong with the 342. I just didn't see as much sign or elk I hoped for in there. I could be way off track but I feel better hunting the 340. Come rifle I'm sure things will change. I know it will be busy but I've seen much more elk activity in the 340. Maybe I just had bad luck in the 342. Found lots of moo cows. Cameras we're full of em. Just got a phelps bugle and cow call. I'm ready.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: MLhunter1 on August 20, 2015, 06:08:50 PM: Good to hear of these bull sightings. Gets my blood pumping.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 20, 2015, 06:25:58 PM: Does anyone know if I have to wear orange during my rifle rut hunt
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: hunterofelk on August 21, 2015, 07:04:11 AM: All modern firearm permit holders must wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing. Got that off the wa dept of fish and wildlife web site.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 21, 2015, 06:43:16 PM: Yeah I thought so that sucks
There will be 5 hunters in 2 units >:(
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: jdb on August 21, 2015, 06:55:56 PM: Wear orange until your out of site of the road then stick it in your pack
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: Duckslayer89 on August 22, 2015, 03:42:29 AM: :yeah: fu the police

Lol seriously though I wonder if the Indians have to wear orange
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 06:29:05 AM: NOT :bash:
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 06:34:48 AM: Heading into 342 this morning learn some more country
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: adamR on August 22, 2015, 06:55:37 AM: Quote from: jdb on August 21, 2015, 06:55:56 PM
Wear orange until your out of site of the road then stick it in your pack

Or just don't break the law? :dunno:

What is the difference? What's the big deal about wearing orange it makes you safer?
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: danderson on August 22, 2015, 07:52:42 AM: Stop by the house when you get over here this weekend, im on duty with the fire dept
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 08:27:27 AM: Are you there now
I'm going to Safeway right now
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: ribka on August 22, 2015, 09:05:08 AM: Pm me

Know a few areas in 342

Had tag last year
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: hunterofelk on August 22, 2015, 09:17:30 AM: Good grief I am green with envy.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 09:59:06 AM: yeah getting excited
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 10:02:41 AM: I've been up every weekend haven't found Mr. right yet :tung:
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 22, 2015, 10:08:38 AM: ribka
I'm kinda slow when it comes to computers not sure how to start a PM
I know how to respond :tup:
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: PlateauNDN on August 22, 2015, 07:03:23 PM: Quote from: Duckslayer89 on August 22, 2015, 03:42:29 AM
:yeah: fu the police

Lol seriously though I wonder if the Indians have to wear orange

Nope and 342 is a great unit. I've been in both and they have their own characteristics and uniqueness. Enjoy
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: Watimberghost on August 24, 2015, 06:58:09 PM: Nice Bull grizz
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: wsucowboy on August 24, 2015, 07:08:31 PM: Very nice bull griz

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: Hurricane on August 24, 2015, 08:37:34 PM: Thats a good one. Hopefully I can get a chance at one like that this year since I have the Observatory Archery Tag.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 26, 2015, 06:26:21 AM: that's bigger than anything I've seen
looks like he's got better than average 3rds
he might be in the 330's
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 30, 2015, 12:05:31 PM: It's starting
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: Hilltop123 on August 30, 2015, 12:55:52 PM: If your hunting 342, do yourself a favor and spend some time on the Yakima county assessors website, learn were the public land ends and the private land starts. Some not familiar with 342 gravitate to certain areas, because that's where they see the most elk. Most of the time this is in close proximity to private land or on private land, especially after the elk have been stirred up, trying to evade hunters. I would hate to see your hunt ruined, over a simple mistake. Just an idea..... :twocents: Good Luck, wack a biggun
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 31, 2015, 06:42:42 AM: .
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on August 31, 2015, 06:45:41 AM: .
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: danderson on August 31, 2015, 06:54:27 AM: That's a good start, that storm that we just had over the weekend should get um cranked up
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on September 01, 2015, 06:44:57 AM: Quote from: danderson on August 31, 2015, 06:54:27 AM
That's a good start, that storm that we just had over the weekend should get um cranked up

what's the weather doing over there today any more rain??
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: danderson on September 01, 2015, 08:24:16 AM: No rain really since Saturday, just cloudy and breesy, but the weather is much cooler and feeling like fall this morning, they should be lowering the restrictions soon
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on September 01, 2015, 01:52:22 PM: :tup: that's better than it has been
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on September 01, 2015, 02:07:28 PM: Quote from: danderson on September 01, 2015, 08:24:16 AM
No rain really since Saturday, just cloudy and breesy, but the weather is much cooler and feeling like fall this morning, they should be lowering the restrictions soon

It was 51 this morning when I left about 5 so I am sure it was cooler up in the hills and it is supposed to cool off even more this weekend. Should get them ramped up a bit :tup:
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 01, 2015, 02:20:13 PM: Saw snow forecasted above 5800 ft this week...Crazy for sure.
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: elkchaser54 on September 04, 2015, 08:58:02 PM: ONLY ONE MORE WEEK!!!!! Anyone going out scouting this weekend?
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: WildBear on September 07, 2015, 04:12:55 PM: Camp set up. Elk were seen. Going to be a good year!
Title: Re: Observatory Hunt
Post by: 400gross on September 07, 2015, 05:13:42 PM: Was in 340 all weekend
Saw cows and spikes some rut activities starting