Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Elkfever on November 07, 2017, 02:08:10 PM

Title: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Elkfever on November 07, 2017, 02:08:10 PM: I had a once in a lifetime type hunt with the Muzzy Peaches tag this year and hope all others experienced the same with their bull tags, regardless of which season.

Good or bad, I’d love to hear from any of the tag holders in Peaches and how your experience was.

Dane
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: slowhand on November 07, 2017, 02:23:07 PM: Tag
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: acrocker on November 07, 2017, 02:50:40 PM: Terrible. Hunted hard for 12 days, hunted Blowout Mtn, Mt Clifty, Gold Creek, around the PCT in the Wilderness, etc. Just couldn't find the elk - in 12 days of hunting (All on foot) I saw a total of 5 elk; 3 cows and 2 calves. I don't know what the problem was, but I just couldn't connect - it's tag soup for me and 20 points down the drain!
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 07, 2017, 02:52:05 PM: Did you get a bull, pics?
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: RG on November 07, 2017, 03:09:03 PM: Three Peaks Outfitters client took a 7X6 bull in Peaches.
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: slowhand on November 07, 2017, 03:12:06 PM: Quote from: acrocker on November 07, 2017, 02:50:40 PM
Terrible. Hunted hard for 12 days, hunted Blowout Mtn, Mt Clifty, Gold Creek, around the PCT in the Wilderness, etc. Just couldn't find the elk - in 12 days of hunting (All on foot) I saw a total of 5 elk; 3 cows and 2 calves. I don't know what the problem was, but I just couldn't connect - it's tag soup for me and 20 points down the drain!
Don't feel bad. I had that tag a few years ago. Hunted hard everyday. Had several almost chances at monster bulls with huge racks. Just couldn't make everything happen. Took a couple long shots at a giant, No blood (searched and tracked for a day) . If I pull the trigger I make 100% sure. Saw tons of elk and multiple 6X6+ bulls. It's a great tag just sometimes the luck is not with You or Me. I can't wait to get the Tag again in how ever many years it takes. I wouldn't do anything different.
Wait, Yes I would. I would Bring Rtsprings with Me. That would help. ;)
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Elkfever on November 07, 2017, 03:15:28 PM: Acrocker, man, sorry to hear that! Did you have the rifle bull tag for late October?

Bowhunterforever, if you’re asking me, yes I did. I posted a thread on it a few weeks ago. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,219505.0.html
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Elkfever on November 07, 2017, 03:22:26 PM: Quote from: RG on November 07, 2017, 03:09:03 PM
Three Peaks Outfitters client took a 7X6 bull in Peaches.

Heck of a nice bull!
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: rtspring on November 07, 2017, 03:52:11 PM: Peaches was on fire for the modern bull tag holders the first 4 days, then pressure shut them up, we chased a 7x7 for 8 days straight and mh buddy finally took out a 5x5 that was broke off on the left side. Like always, the elk headed to their hidey holes but once you found them it sure was fun!!! Seen 4 spikes during the season but could not close the deal.. i think the early snow during deer season scattered the herds
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: acrocker on November 07, 2017, 04:13:05 PM: Elkfever - Yeah, I had the modern tag. We were into sign pretty much every day but for some reason we just couldn't find them! I usually hunt the Blues and I'm used to finding elk pretty regularly so it was frustrating to just not be able to do it right. I'll start the process over and hopefully get it right next time.

Had high hopes with the fires this summer, we hunted a lot right along the northern edge of the Wilderness, hoping that some bulls might have been pushed just outside the fire areas but they were better than I was. ;)
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Stein on November 07, 2017, 04:58:59 PM: I had an awesome hunt, in elk every day as well as a near opportunity on a bear and several passes on yotes. Where I was the bulls were nocturnal from the get go and I spent my time getting into the best position for them to make a mistake but it didn't happen. I had encounters as close as 30 yards and hunted some great country. The flu kept me from a return trip, so I'm off to try to fill my deer tag and fill in with a few ducks here and there.

It's a great tag and the hunt is awesome until Wednesday when the horde shows up. Having the woods almost to myself for three days plus two for scouting was pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 07, 2017, 05:32:03 PM: You still the same Ryan a little more grey is all.
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: trophyhunt on November 07, 2017, 06:06:54 PM: Quote from: acrocker on November 07, 2017, 02:50:40 PM
Terrible. Hunted hard for 12 days, hunted Blowout Mtn, Mt Clifty, Gold Creek, around the PCT in the Wilderness, etc. Just couldn't find the elk - in 12 days of hunting (All on foot) I saw a total of 5 elk; 3 cows and 2 calves. I don't know what the problem was, but I just couldn't connect - it's tag soup for me and 20 points down the drain!
this is my nightmare, sucks that you didn’t get an opportunity at least! It is a good unit but it’s big and there is a lot of places for the elk to hide. With 23 points my greatest fear if I ever draw is no opportunities at a quality bull, sucks to hear your results. Sorry man
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: RG on November 08, 2017, 05:14:08 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on November 07, 2017, 05:32:03 PM
You still the same Ryan a little more grey is all.
The hills are a little steeper than they were 35 years ago though for some reason. Ha
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2017, 05:23:09 AM: I hear you there Ryan
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Fish4Fun on November 08, 2017, 09:12:31 AM: Quote from: RG on November 08, 2017, 05:14:08 AM
Quote from: Skyvalhunter on November 07, 2017, 05:32:03 PM
You still the same Ryan a little more grey is all.
The hills are a little steeper than they were 35 years ago though for some reason. Ha

In our minds we are still 25 years old and the hills still look the same. For me toss in 4 heart attacks and 4 mini strokes and the hills still look the same until I get on them. Reality check at that point.
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: Stein on November 08, 2017, 01:16:46 PM: Quote from: trophyhunt on November 07, 2017, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: acrocker on November 07, 2017, 02:50:40 PM
Terrible. Hunted hard for 12 days, hunted Blowout Mtn, Mt Clifty, Gold Creek, around the PCT in the Wilderness, etc. Just couldn't find the elk - in 12 days of hunting (All on foot) I saw a total of 5 elk; 3 cows and 2 calves. I don't know what the problem was, but I just couldn't connect - it's tag soup for me and 20 points down the drain!
this is my nightmare, sucks that you didn’t get an opportunity at least! It is a good unit but it’s big and there is a lot of places for the elk to hide. With 23 points my greatest fear if I ever draw is no opportunities at a quality bull, sucks to hear your results. Sorry man

If I were you, I would put in for muzzy. There are a few places for long shots, but most of the action is up close and personal. With the muzzy tag the bulls will tell you where they are and that is 90% of the battle. There are no shortage of elk in that place, but finding them during daylight can be a very big chore. If you are willing to hike, there are almost countless places to go that hold elk.
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: WapitiChaser on November 10, 2017, 06:26:32 PM: Ran all my usual haunts and deep holes with an OTC spike tag. Ghost hunted it this year. It was slow the first three days and then nothing but cows and calfs. I think we must have busted out 50-60 over the next few days. The only spike I "think" I saw materialized from the woods with a cow group of 12 and hung on the edge of the woods at well after shooting light was done. So tag soup for me too!

It WAS exciting enough to be coming across the elk daily and kept us all stoked to keep beating the bush. We did see three pretty nice satellite bulls and, One of my camp mates who I trust with my life swears a group of wolves (black) passed his pop up blind at 30 yards. This may be an issue now and for the future of elk in the unit. He was freaked enough to bug out ASAP.

I drug my son way down into the north fork of the Natchez where NO ONE goes. Usually holds at least some elk. Didn't see a thing for that three mile excursion.

All in all I had a great time with friends and my son even though no one connected. Hope all of you have fond memories of your seasons past and the ones to come.

Oh, RTspring, I still look forward to bumping into you and your boys for some hunting story swapping. I have a bottle of apple pie to Make the elk bigger. LOL. We just hunted too hard this year to hardly make dinner!
Title: Re: Reports from Peaches Ridge?
Post by: RG on November 10, 2017, 06:52:52 PM: I’m starting to suspect there may be more wolves in Manastash/Taneum/Little Naches than we suspect. I spoke to people this year who swear they heard howls in Manastash. I saw tracks that were small for a wolf but exceptionally big for a coyote. They weren’t where somebody’s dog would be. I packed for White Pass Outfitters last year and spoke to people who heard howls in Rimrock. There’s no reason there wouldn’t be wolves in these areas. I really hate to see it happen though, especially with the various winter feed stations which will be a smorgasbord for wolves.