Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: grade-creek-rd on June 25, 2018, 08:48:38 AM
-
burned my 11 bull points and drew a White River Modern Firearm permit...I've hiked and deer hunted the unit a bit over the past 20 years (that kills me to say that many years on the wet side!) and know the area pretty well outside of the private lands. I will buy the Hancock permit just to have in case weather moves in and pushes the elk down too low (or over the ridge). I've helped a lot of people on here with various tags, from sheep, elk and mule deer and I am not asking for info, but if others who have drawn the rifle tag for the White River Unit are willing to share, I am listening! (PM me if possible).
thanks,
Grade
-
Im in the same boat as you except for having 20 years of knowledge, more like 4 years in 653. I learned some awesome spots up higher around 4500ft while my wife drew quality archery a few years back. Im just wondering if i should buy a hancock permit in case the weather hits hard? Any info much appreciated
Pm welcome
-
I’ve got the same tag, I live in Enumclaw and spend tons of time up there. Definitely willing to help either of you out any way I can. Keep in touch, not much we can do right now. Permits don’t sell out so you can make that decision whenever, definetly don’t “need” one but won’t hurt either.
-
That's awesome! Congrats :tup:
-
Thanks Beerbugler! I'll be out hiking and scouting throughout the summer and will keep you updated on where I'm finding them!
Grade
-
Most likely I will see you guys in passing....Buddy and I drew the same tag.
-
Good luck guys. Fun unit
-
Just keep in mind rifle guys, those elk may not be in the same place come November. By all means scout your butts off and get to know the area, just remember if the snow comes early and deep, it changes the game up there. Like falcon has said, pray for no snow or lots! Lots would be best. As far as buying the Hancock pass, I have no good info on that except it gets hit by different tribes in September, haven’t hunted that area in many years. If I had the tag for that time of year, I’d prob buy the pass and cover as much ground as possible. Lots of places to dry camp in the unit, buck creek airstrip has lots of spots, just need a forest service pass I believe. I don’t think we have any dnr land in the white. As far as size of bulls, the unit has a few big ones, but more rag horn than anything. Unless your picky, a 250 to 300” bull would be a good bull. Good luck all
-
Good luck! We have a muzzy tag in there this year. My buddy had the quality buck tag a couple years ago, and we camped a couple weeks in Hancock in November. It wasn't pretty. 4:00 pm every night the convoy came through the gate, spotlights and gun shots all night long. Two weeks we saw 5 deer and one herd of cows. We got kicked out and they closed the property due to heavy rain. There are elk in there, but I'll never buy that permit again. I'll give you a report and let you know what we see on our October hunt.
-
Thanks for all info, I really want my wife to kill her first elk. 3 years ago she drew quality archery and she stuck an absolute monster. Unfortunately we tracked him for miles until he stopped bleeding :bash:, traumatic experience. She needs redemption.
-
Grade ..... your in box is full.
-
Thanks mtn.goat...I'll clean it out.
-
PM sent
-
...for some reason I didn't get a PM if you sent it to me...
Grade
-
I sent another last night, hopefully it went through
-
I would never buy the access permit for the white river, NEVER! For many reasons. Also I’ve seen enough elk on FS land in that unit you should have plenty of opportunities without the access permit.
-
It has been a few years, but I had the tag back in '11 and agree with what bkaech says. You will find plenty of elk on forest service ground. I bought a Hancock pass just to have more access, but didn't really use it. I would save the money.
-
Harbor- pictures of a successful hunt?!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Somewhere, in some file, I do have some pictures. Just not sure where they are. If I find them I will post one. I shot a raghorn 5pt. I had 5 days to hunt and shot it towards the end of the 4th day. Not the biggest bull I saw, but only good opportunity I got.
-
How’s the scouting going guys? I’m finding elk but not turning up any mature bulls. All the elk I’m seeing are low, mostly cows and calves, when I go up high, there’s still a ton of fresh sign, just can’t find em. I’m guessing the big bulls are just staying up in the steep thick stuff, snows still really high. Did hear a bugle this morning though, I saw elk in the area the bugle came from, just couldn’t find the bull. Good luck.
-
Hunt up by crystal mountain on the westside of norse peak
-
Headed up to set up camp tomorrow, probably at Buck Creek, so if any other permit holders are around, stop by and say hi - Jayco tent trailer and white 2002 F150 with Leer canopy. Good luck.
Dave
-
Headed up friday after work to set up. I will be in a silver 2000 f350 with white canopy. Good luck to all the tag holders hopefully we can get a few tags filled.
-
0730 Saturday. Went back to where I heard the bugle on the 31st. This bull was with a cow, smelled like a rutting bull and had tree bark in his antlers seems likely it’s the bull I heard. Wish I had some good info to share but my scouting was pretty limited due to a shutdown at work. Saw quite a few elk on the west fork but this was the first decent bull.
-
:tup:
-
congrats on filling your tag BeerBugler :tup:
-
Congrats
-
Congrats that’s a fine bull :tup:
-
Great bull!
-
Nice bull :tup:. Good job!
-
Congrats BeerBugler!!!!!....Ok, so a little salt in the wound for me, but I'm good with it all, as I got a spike on Saturday. I have no regrets not getting a "big bull"...and now I have time to put up those damn Christmas lights the wife has been bugging me about!
Grade
-
:tup:
My guess is that when you are eating that elk this winter, you won't be thinking much about the raghorn or mature bull that got away.
-
Congrats on a beautiful bull. We hiked 16 miles on Saturday and another 5 on Sunday. Seen a few cows but no bulls so far but will give it another go this weekend and hopefully we can cross paths with mr. bull
-
I'll let you guys know when Grade gets that ladder out to put up his Christmas Lights.
Maybe he'll put mine up? :chuckle:
-
:tup:
-
Drew the rifle bull tag for Whiteriver this year. Shout out to my hubby LAPUA338 who scouted the unit and put a lot of time and effort into it. 3 years ago I had the archery tag for this area and after sticking a monster and not finding him, we were determined to prevail this go around. After a couple of days watching him, I was able to get a shot on this decent bull. Thankfully my hubby has a badaz 338 Lapua for long distance shooting. Dumped this pretty boy at 620 yards. Not too bad for my first bull elk!
-
Drew the rifle bull tag for Whiteriver this year. Shout out to my hubby LAPUA338 who scouted the unit and put a lot of time and effort into it. 3 years ago I had the archery tag for this area and after sticking a monster and not finding him, we were determined to prevail this go around. After a couple of days watching him, I was able to get a shot on this decent bull. Thankfully my hubby has a badaz 338 Lapua for long distance shooting. Dumped this pretty boy at 620 yards. Not too bad for my first bull elk!
That’s a beauty!! Good work!
-
That's a great looking bull. Congratulations.
-
Nice job to all the successful hunters and huntress!!! Best of luck to those still out there!!
-
620 yards!!!!!! Wowsa.
-
After wearing my old body out chasing critters above Crystal Mountain Ski resort for several days, the west fork of the White River finally dropped enough to get across on Thursday. This little guy showed up at the right place and the right time and I do have a taste for elk meat, so....
-
Nothing wrong with tender elk meat. And a tag notched is a tag notched. Good work.
-
After wearing my old body out chasing critters above Crystal Mountain Ski resort for several days, the west fork of the White River finally dropped enough to get across on Thursday. This little guy showed up at the right place and the right time and I do have a taste for elk meat, so....
We use to archery hunt the ski resort. Some steep country there
-
After wearing my old body out chasing critters above Crystal Mountain Ski resort for several days, the west fork of the White River finally dropped enough to get across on Thursday. This little guy showed up at the right place and the right time and I do have a taste for elk meat, so....
Great job Dave. Should be some good eating :tup:
-
Congrats on filling your tag. I tagged out this morning on a little 5x6 up there. Hiked just over 30 miles between last weekend and today but it felt very good to get the tag filled.
-
This mornings White River bull. Single shot from the .358 Winchester at about 150 yards.
-
Congrats on a nice bull!
-
Thank you
-
Congrats on a nice bull!! That's sickening that people shoot up signs like that.
-
Good job to everyone!...kinda upset that I didn't hold off (spike in the freezer!) but then again I went fishing yesterday and had a blast CnR'n Chums all day...and ya, regarding shooting at the signs, not smart, especially the one on the right that is on a steel I-beam gate...talk about stupid!
Grade
-
Yeah it gives us a bad name when non hunters see these signs shot up like that. Some of those guys shooting at these signs and gates are not the sharpest tool in the shed thats for sure.
