Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: tgray on June 10, 2016, 11:26:34 PM

Title: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: tgray on June 10, 2016, 11:26:34 PM: Congratulations if you drew this tag. Feel free to PM me on any advice for this unit, I've hunted this unit for over 15+ years, 2 bull tags of my own where I was lucky enough to take a 320" bull in 2003 and a 365" bull in 2010 and I got my grandpa a 250" 6 point in 2004. These tags are few and far between and I have no problem sharing what I know about this unit. Good luck to you all.
PS. I have only hunted modern firearm and muzzle loader in this unit.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: riverrun on June 10, 2016, 11:58:19 PM: I'll take you up on the offer! I drew observatory muzzleloader qaulity elk. This is actually my first bull tag and want to make the most of it. Any help or info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Saiki21 on June 11, 2016, 01:28:44 AM: You are too kind. I may send you a pm, I was drawn for modern.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: johnnyaustin44 on June 11, 2016, 01:45:28 AM: Nice offer tgray. This tag can be tough to fill sometimes. At least in my family.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: westside bull on June 11, 2016, 06:51:04 AM: Holy cow tgray I wish I had some of your magic on drawing permits good job on those Bulls. And your chewuch deer tag this year. :tup:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Scottystyle on June 11, 2016, 08:53:37 AM: Thank you sir :hello:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: plugger on June 11, 2016, 12:18:42 PM: As soon as I get some maps, I will contact you. The guys Im hunting with have killed some nice bulls in there, But its new to me, I have always hunted the west side
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: kodiak 907 on June 11, 2016, 12:23:46 PM: Nice offer. You are a true sportsman.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 11, 2016, 06:20:14 PM: Good on you tiny Tim!! For those wondering, Tim is a cool dude, and a class act!! Don't be afraid to hit him up.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: trophyelk6x6 on June 11, 2016, 07:00:28 PM: I killed a muzz bull that scored 370 in that unit. Great tag based on weather, not snow but how cold it is at night, sometimes the rut is mid to later in sept and sometimes OCT 1st is right in the boiler room. Either way pay attention to the North facing heavily timbered slopes. Good luck
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 11, 2016, 07:39:03 PM: Great offer Tgray!! Can we see pics of those great bulls it will help the tag holders sleep at night!!! :dunno: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: YellowDog on June 11, 2016, 07:53:22 PM: Tgray, that is a very kind offer. I sort of feel the same way as you do about these permits and like to at least give folks a few pointers about units I have knowledge about. That said, observatory is not a unit I have hunted though I have spent some time in there during off seasons poking around.

My dad drew a disabled modern rifle elk permit this year after 14 years of applying (crazy long time for a disabled guy to wait for a tag!!) for October 24-November 5. Any pointers you can share would be much appreciated. PM sent
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: mossyoak arrow slinger on June 11, 2016, 08:03:17 PM: PM sent

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: sled on June 11, 2016, 08:26:44 PM: Pm sent also! Thanks for the offer!!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Countywarrior73 on June 11, 2016, 10:50:07 PM: Wow you are the man! First archery draw in that unit ever..... Appreciate any kind of help. Just a point in the right direction be sweet.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Scottystyle on June 12, 2016, 06:41:11 AM: Anyone have pics of bulls taken out of there to share? :hello:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: tgray on June 12, 2016, 09:56:11 AM: Quote from: BENCHLEG on June 11, 2016, 07:39:03 PM
Great offer Tgray!! Can we see pics of those great bulls it will help the tag holders sleep at night!!! :dunno: :chuckle: :chuckle:
some picture quality not the best
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: h20hunter on June 12, 2016, 09:57:31 AM: Nice....pic quality not the best...elk quality very nice!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: PolarBear on June 12, 2016, 09:59:38 AM: Don't do like a friend of my wife's that had that tag. He passed on a 6x7 on opening day and never got within shooting range of another bull the rest of the season. :chuckle: :bash:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: trophyelk6x6 on June 12, 2016, 10:01:28 AM: my observatory bull, still looking for more pics and I think they are backed up on hard drive in my banks safe deposit box :)
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: tgray on June 12, 2016, 10:03:14 AM: Quote from: trophyelk6x6 on June 12, 2016, 10:01:28 AM
my observatory bull, still looking for more pics and I think they are backed up on hard drive in my banks safe deposit box :)
dang! Very nice
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: PolarBear on June 12, 2016, 10:03:23 AM: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: tgray on June 12, 2016, 10:06:25 AM: Quote from: PolarBear on June 12, 2016, 09:59:38 AM
Don't do like a friend of my wife's that had that tag. He passed on a 6x7 on opening day and never got within shooting range of another bull the rest of the season. :chuckle: :bash:
had a buddy do the same thing 2 years ago, passed on a 300 class 6x6 on day #2. Ate his tag but had a great time
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: tgray on June 12, 2016, 10:16:38 AM: All PM's answered, I think. If I didn't get back to you hit me up again
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: face on June 12, 2016, 10:20:26 AM: The one that got away and a pic from this past winter.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 12, 2016, 10:56:54 AM: Man those are some beautiful bulls.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: MADMAX on June 12, 2016, 01:57:00 PM: Nice
gun or bow ?
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: jackelope on June 12, 2016, 03:53:09 PM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160612%2Fbc0a0327e9d0d9708d9a361d68c01cd7.jpg&hash=5d6f16064c9409243dac68a671521d3c875ae001)

:tup:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 12, 2016, 04:24:04 PM: Great bulls guys that should get the blood pumping.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Countywarrior73 on June 12, 2016, 04:57:57 PM: Wow. Great bulls can't wait to get in there. Good work fellas
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: trophyhunt on June 12, 2016, 05:25:35 PM: A good friend of mine drew that tag this year with 20 points, October 24th rifle. Hope to help him out. Great offer Tim
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Countywarrior73 on June 12, 2016, 05:52:56 PM: September 10th for my archery tag. I hope the weather cooperates and it's not to stinking hot
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: trophyelk6x6 on June 12, 2016, 06:20:01 PM: If you don't have the weather in your favor, and your not in the rut I would always focus on the heavily timbered North facing slopes.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Countywarrior73 on June 12, 2016, 07:24:31 PM: You the man trophy! Much respect I can do a lot with that. Praying for a good year for everyone. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Scottystyle on June 13, 2016, 12:54:56 AM: Awesome bulls guys :tup: It's gonna be tough eating that Teanaway cow tag in August :bash: Not too confident I will ever draw another bull tag.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Labs07 on June 13, 2016, 11:31:22 AM: Sending a PM
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 13, 2016, 12:03:32 PM: That's a good offer put out there Tgray
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: jjdavis2222 on June 13, 2016, 01:32:09 PM: Hell of an offer! PM sent!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: GoldenOscar on June 13, 2016, 09:20:57 PM: Those pictures bring back the memories ( Not good ones) Drew the Observatory archery tag a few years ago during the big fire and the area I scouted for weeks and weeks was closed down......Oh well I am sure I will draw another quality bull tag about 16 years from now :bash:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: jackelope on June 13, 2016, 09:41:58 PM: Quote from: GoldenOscar on June 13, 2016, 09:20:57 PM
Those pictures bring back the memories ( Not good ones) Drew the Observatory archery tag a few years ago during the big fire and the area I scouted for weeks and weeks was closed down......Oh well I am sure I will draw another quality bull tag about 16 years from now :bash:

That's when that picture I posted came from. Right before the fire. That bull was standing in front of that camera on opening morning too. Just couldn't get there.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: TopLevelPredator on June 14, 2016, 07:22:24 AM: Thanks TGray, PM sent. Here's a question for anyone out there: If I'm reading the regs correctly, there's no general archery season in the 342 Umtanum unit. Would this be a better place to spend my time for my quality bull tag than over in Manashtash? We know Manashtash pretty well, but there's a lot of pressure in there during archery season.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: RookieRick on June 14, 2016, 03:19:11 PM: My Dad and brother with Dad's 2014 bull from GMU 340. :)
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 14, 2016, 03:26:02 PM: :yike: Wow that's an awesome bull rick :drool:
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: RookieRick on June 14, 2016, 03:48:01 PM: Yeah, it was a magical trip. It was my first time ever elk hunting - for some dumb reason I waited until I was in my 40s.. Dad, my brother Todd and I put in as a group and got drawn for ML Quality AND Antlerless. We all saw elk, I never shot . I had two opportunities, but the first one was the first time I'd seen an elk in person and the way I was shaking with adrenaline I didn't feel like it was in my range ;-) Second time I was walking through some trees and elk crossed path right in front of me, maybe 50 yards ahead. I froze with the bull staring right in my direction and I was afraid to move because I wasn't sure if he saw me. He stared me down while cow and calf continued on up a hill, waited until they were safely out of range, and then BAM he was off after them in a hurry. When I relayed that tale back at camp, Dad chuckled and said "yeah, you should have just raised your rifle and shot. If he was looking your way, he saw you."

Todd took one shot and missed..

Dad fired one shot the whole trip and took down this bull. None too soon, because four months later cancer took down Dad. Needless to say, I'm extremely glad I didn't wait "one more year" to go elk hunting.

Todd and I drew antlerless there last year and again this year. Last year was tag soup - we never even saw an elk. Smelled one the very last day but that was it. Hopefully we'll have better luck this year (and will do a better job of scouting alternative locations in case the elk aren't there when we are again).
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: trophyhunt on June 14, 2016, 03:53:28 PM: Cool story, except the part about your dad, sorry. Four months is incredibly fast, glad he was successful! My friend has the rifle tag this year and is moving to Oregon in 3 or 4 years, he's almost done with Washington. I hope he can fill his tag.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: Rainier10 on June 14, 2016, 03:53:55 PM: Rookierick, welcome to the site. :hello: Thanks for sharing the photo and story. Sorry about your loss but super happy you got that hunt in before he was gone.
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: swisski on September 19, 2017, 10:56:39 AM: Really appreciate this offer, sent a PM!
Title: Re: Observatory Bull hunters
Post by: wildfire on September 19, 2017, 03:23:57 PM: PM sent