Post by: huntingdog16 on January 13, 2016, 05:49:50 PM
Post by: Jason on January 13, 2016, 06:03:15 PM
Post by: huntingdog16 on January 13, 2016, 06:09:54 PM
Post by: elksnout on January 14, 2016, 08:08:24 PM
Post by: huntingdog16 on January 14, 2016, 08:34:12 PM
Post by: haus on January 15, 2016, 05:11:02 PM
I hope Im not starting too early but I wanted to ask if anyone had any expirience with hunting this unit? I was hoping to see if anyone knew if there were any areas in the unit to do back country to try and get away from the crowds and road hunters? I would be doing an early season. (I think this unit only offers an early season, unless I read the regs wrong)Was hoping to start doing some scouting by the middle of Febuary. Any help is greatly appreciated.If by back country your referring to wilderness areas, then you won't be getting away from anyone in that GMU. I'd look at the high elevation non wilderness designation areas, even then you wont be alone or necessarily in more elk. Don't expect to find the motherload up high, I always thought I would find that spot. In reality they are distributed throughout the gmu around pockets of sufficient feed, which due to stagnant timber management by the NF those pockets continue to reduce.
Post by: mburrows on January 15, 2016, 05:18:26 PM
I hope Im not starting too early but I wanted to ask if anyone had any expirience with hunting this unit? I was hoping to see if anyone knew if there were any areas in the unit to do back country to try and get away from the crowds and road hunters? I would be doing an early season. (I think this unit only offers an early season, unless I read the regs wrong)Was hoping to start doing some scouting by the middle of Febuary. Any help is greatly appreciated.If by back country your referring to wilderness areas, then you won't be getting away from anyone in that GMU. I'd look at the high elevation non wilderness designation areas, even then you wont be alone or necessarily in more elk. Don't expect to find the motherload up high, I always thought I would find that spot. In reality they are distributed throughout the gmu around pockets of sufficient feed, which due to stagnant timber management by the NF those pockets continue to reduce.
Thats good advice. The wilderness areas have a ton of foot traffic in them and I would not really classify it as a true backcountry experience.
Post by: RadSav on January 15, 2016, 06:00:30 PM
Snow is going to be a problem this time of year. You might want to wait tell late may or early June to start scouting.
A lot of the area I've spent time in there you don't get into until 4th of July most years. Not getting away from anyone is a little misleading. Sure there are plenty of people walking the trails. But, if you go truly back country you will leave over 90% of other hunters behind. And if you get more than 200 yards away from a trail you will leave 90% of the granola poopers behind as well. Beautiful country! Well worth the scouting trips even if you don't find the holy grail.
Don't be surprised if you see very few animals in the back country. Most of my back country hunting produces less than 30% of the animals I would spot close to clearcuts and road systems. But the back country holds the potential to produce top quality even if animal densities will likely be reduced.
The other side of the fence rarely ever produces the awe, amazement and untouched vast herds many think. But dreams of what lays beyond drives man to do great things. If you are young and in good shape - Do It! Won't be long before your too old and too broken. Then all those thoughts of "What could it have been?" will haunt you. ;)
Post by: huntingdog16 on January 15, 2016, 07:26:09 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on January 16, 2016, 06:36:16 AM
Post by: haus on January 19, 2016, 08:22:26 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on January 19, 2016, 08:55:46 AM
:chuckle: less hunters than indian heavens, bigger area, and less hunters up high. Now that's some hardcore trolling Piano. Hunters and hikers outnumbered the elk up there for at least a few seasons now because its so hipster to go up high apparently. :dunno:
The hikers are staying on the trails for the most part. The animals are not being pushed as much. Indian Heaven, on the other hand, is hunter heavy in addition to the hikers on the PCT. I think you're the one trolling here.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on January 19, 2016, 09:22:14 AM