Post by: BigTines on April 17, 2017, 07:51:59 PM
Yes I plan on doing lots of scouting and calling biologist etc just thought I would use this forum as one more source of info. Thanks for your input!
Post by: TriggerMike on April 17, 2017, 07:58:26 PM
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Post by: Mtnwalker on April 17, 2017, 08:09:51 PM
Post by: Brydawg512 on April 17, 2017, 09:08:26 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 17, 2017, 09:23:02 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on April 17, 2017, 09:44:14 PM
Post by: BigTines on April 18, 2017, 02:56:35 AM
But back to my original questions...can anyone comment on terrain in each GMU? Is it timber? Open? Also I would love to hear some more insight on specific GMUs if anyone is willing to share. Which GMU would you recommend starting in?
Post by: adamR on April 18, 2017, 05:08:07 AM
To get a better answer you should tell us what terrain and type of hunt you are looking for?
Post by: TriggerMike on April 18, 2017, 09:48:53 AM
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Post by: BigTines on April 18, 2017, 09:56:46 AM
I am a pretty young guy so the idea of Bumping with less roads is appealing. I assume you don't have to have pack animals to be successful in Bumping? Is there good sized bulls in Bumping?
I noticed that cowiche has better than average success rates. Is this success typically in the open sage or timber? Is it easy to get away from other hunters?
I have heard a lot about peaches ridge(little naches) but it looks like there are way more hunters than the other GMUs and less success as well. Not sure why? Is there still areas in the little naches where you can get away from other hunters? Ie go steep and deep away from roads? Is it overcrowded?
Post by: BigTines on April 18, 2017, 10:04:15 AM
Post by: OutHouse on April 18, 2017, 11:34:20 AM
I have always hunted timber so that's what I am most comfortable with. Never hunted sage so I wouldn't know how to start. Mixed might work? I love to hike and walk and like to get away from the crowds if possible. (I know this might be difficult) I will be rifle hunting.
I am a pretty young guy so the idea of Bumping with less roads is appealing. I assume you don't have to have pack animals to be successful in Bumping? Is there good sized bulls in Bumping?
I noticed that cowiche has better than average success rates. Is this success typically in the open sage or timber? Is it easy to get away from other hunters?
I have heard a lot about peaches ridge(little naches) but it looks like there are way more hunters than the other GMUs and less success as well. Not sure why? Is there still areas in the little naches where you can get away from other hunters? Ie go steep and deep away from roads? Is it overcrowded?
In Cowiche Unit, there are pockets of elk in the sage during modern season but not much at all. At that time, they are still in the high country. They will be in the sage down low once the snow really starts falling in Nov/Dec, but that's when late archery takes place. My experience is that all the Yakima GMUs are a pumpkin patch during modern season. Last year a guy I know said there wasn't many hunters in Rimrock GMU during modern season. The nice thing about Rimrock is a lot of it is so thick it provides excellent cover for the elk. Most people don't want to hunt this way, but I know a few guys who swear by pushing thickets during archery or in modern season with a "brush gun" of some sort.
Post by: yakimanoob on April 18, 2017, 11:52:03 AM
I am a pretty young guy so the idea of Bumping with less roads is appealing. I assume you don't have to have pack animals to be successful in Bumping? Nope, but pack animals are nice if you want to get farther away from the roads. Is there good sized bulls in Bumping? Definitely. There's a good reason some of the more sought-after permits are in that area.
I noticed that cowiche has better than average success rates. Is this success typically in the open sage or timber? I think cowiche has better success mainly because it's laced with forest roads and ATV tracks. Most of the open sage areas of Cowiche GMU are private, so I'm thinking the harvests happen more in the mixed country (which makes up the majority of the GMU) Is it easy to get away from other hunters? :dunno: Define "easy"...
I have heard a lot about peaches ridge(little naches) but it looks like there are way more hunters than the other GMUs and less success as well. Not sure why? Nearly 100% public land + tons of forest roads and motor trails = PEOPLE. Elk are really good at avoiding people. Is there still areas in the little naches where you can get away from other hunters? Ie go steep and deep away from roads? That's the ticket! Is it overcrowded? :dunno: Define "overcrowded"... You'll see a bunch of other hunters for sure but the Yakima herd is something like 11-12k animals. There's a lot to go around.
Online maps should become your best friends, if they're not already.
https://caltopo.com/map.html
https://www.huntinggpsmaps.com (VERY worth the money IMHO if you don't have time to scout areas in person)
Obviously Google Earth
You can get a pretty good sense of the terrain and ecosystems by viewing maps and satellite photos, then plan a few trips this summer and hoof it. The hiking in this area is outstanding anyway, so even if you decide not to hunt the area you picked to scout, it will hardly be wasted time.
Post by: BigTines on April 19, 2017, 08:08:43 AM
Post by: bishop311 on April 19, 2017, 08:20:37 AM
https://www.huntinggpsmaps.com (VERY worth the money IMHO if you don't have time to scout areas in person)
Obviously Google Earth
:yeah:
OnXMaps is absolutely an amazing product and well worth the cost (which is reasonable)! It is very accurate and kept up to date, and if you've enabled GPS services on your device then it will tell you exactly where you are, and it highlights all the land boundaries to let you know if you're on public municipal or State land, State Forest land, National Forest land or private property, etc. It even lists WHO the private property owner is too if it is registered. Invaluable tool to have for scouting to make sure you're not on land that is off limits. I mean who wants to go hunting only to end up with a massive fine, a confiscated firearm and/or a jail stay?
Post by: Antlershed on April 19, 2017, 09:04:23 AM
Have you ever used OnX in the GMU's in question? Lots of inaccuracies in the road systems that I found in GMU 342 when I hunted it in 2015. :twocents:https://www.huntinggpsmaps.com (VERY worth the money IMHO if you don't have time to scout areas in person)
Obviously Google Earth
:yeah:
OnXMaps is absolutely an amazing product and well worth the cost (which is reasonable)! It is very accurate and kept up to date, and if you've enabled GPS services on your device then it will tell you exactly where you are, and it highlights all the land boundaries to let you know if you're on public municipal or State land, State Forest land, National Forest land or private property, etc. It even lists WHO the private property owner is too if it is registered. Invaluable tool to have for scouting to make sure you're not on land that is off limits. I mean who wants to go hunting only to end up with a massive fine, a confiscated firearm and/or a jail stay?
Post by: bishop311 on April 19, 2017, 09:22:20 AM
Post by: yakimanoob on April 19, 2017, 12:19:37 PM
Have you ever used OnX in the GMU's in question? Lots of inaccuracies in the road systems that I found in GMU 342 when I hunted it in 2015. :twocents:
True, but that's no fault of OnX. I have not seen a single map from any publisher (and I'm a map nerd and have looked extensively) that has accurate roads/closures/etc. Even the brand new 2016 USFS maps are inaccurate re: the roads.
The best one I've found for road access is the "Yakima County Recreation Map" that you can buy at Forest Service offices. I bought mine at the Naches ranger station -- not sure which other stations might carry it. I don't have it in front of me so I can't tell you the publisher, but I know that I have not been able to find it online or anywhere besides the ranger stations. It's $12.50, if I remember right.
Post by: yakimanoob on April 19, 2017, 12:26:02 PM
I don't understand the value in their expensive product options (GPS cards, etc.). I guess I can see the value if you frequently hunt out of state and need the entire country's register of private land... but I certainly wouldn't get any use out of that.
For $30 (or less if you use a coupon from their pros that make hunting shows on Sportsmans or YouTube...) you get all of WA's data, and can use your smartphone to do everything most people do with a handheld GPS.
It's REAL easy to spend more than $30 on different print maps, so it's kindof a no-brainer to me...
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on April 23, 2017, 08:48:42 AM
Post by: Yankee on May 11, 2017, 09:09:13 PM