Post by: MHWASH on August 13, 2016, 09:07:12 AM
I know the top part of the unit pretty good, so I have an idea where to look near the Mtn. Rd.
So for my first scouting trip I drove up through Smoothing Iron to check out that area. I came up Thursday just before dark, saw a fair amount of deer, but no elk. They are logging just inside the Forest boundary, so that may be part of the reason I didn't see elk. Because of the logging activities, I didn't do much exploring in that area. I spent the night in my RAV4, but won't do that again, at Wikiup CG.
Friday got up at dawn and headed north. Hiked out the first ridge I came to, and spotted a herd of 20 elk. It had a spike, and 6 branched bulls. 3 sixes, but none of them were big enough to get excited about. What did surprise me was seeing 3 large mule deer bucks feeding along side the bulls. I didn't spend too much time with the herd because I wanted to cover lots of territory. Saw 2 more herds along the road. I didn't get a good look at the second herd, but saw one spike. The third heard had another small 6, and 2 spikes.
The natives are already out doing their thing, so if you see any elk while your driving around up there, blow your horn and get them off the road!
Forgot my camera, so all I have a re crappy cell phone pics through the spotter.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi4.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy126%2FMHWASH%2Ffa8a54d382ec162d2350594d18a52cfb_zpsxdaj98at.jpg&hash=7b2ec2f726570b9a551535adfdc557f6084cfb61)
Post by: 400out on August 13, 2016, 06:01:21 PM
Post by: emac on August 13, 2016, 06:49:24 PM
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Post by: bowhunterforever on August 13, 2016, 08:00:17 PM
Post by: MHWASH on August 13, 2016, 08:11:27 PM
Which tag did you draw
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Rifle, any bull.
Post by: emac on August 14, 2016, 04:59:09 AM
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk