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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: shallowforks on June 27, 2018, 11:13:00 PM


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Title: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 27, 2018, 11:13:00 PM
anyone know how the wenaha east is shaping up for elk since the grizzly complex fire?
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Shawn Ryan on June 27, 2018, 11:34:50 PM
Did you draw an East Wenaha tag? What weapon?
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 28, 2018, 07:57:13 AM
yes, I drew an archery tag
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: bowhunterty on June 28, 2018, 08:49:46 AM
Lots of green grass. Was spring bear hunting over there in 2016. Also hunted edge of the burn last year in West Wenaha. Same. Good grass growing. This year should be even be better since the weather hasn't been that hot this year.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 28, 2018, 09:06:09 AM
that's good to hear, cant wait to start scouting this season!
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Shawn Ryan on June 28, 2018, 04:03:07 PM
Great tag to draw.  I was in some of the burn area last July and there was full growth in those burn areas.  I'd sure like to take a trek across Moore Flats and see what that looks like now--it appears the fire burned almost everything on Moore Flats. The satellite photos from July, 2017 are amazing--looks like an irrigated cow pasture now. 

The fire that moved north--down the slopes to Crooked Creek and crossing Crooked Creek, burned like most forest fires:  in patches, leaving standing dead trees among partially burned or un-burned trees, while burning all the small fuels near the ground.  Attached picture is of Crooked Creek facing west between Melton Creek and Third Creek with a view of the semi-burned, north-facing slopes.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 28, 2018, 10:08:31 PM
thanks for the pic shawn, sent you a pm. Very excited for this hunt. work production has gone down drastically since the draw results were posted however my time in front of the computer has seen a sharp increase. does wenaha east hold the same potential for bulls as the surrounding units?
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 28, 2018, 11:04:39 PM
thanks for the pic shawn, sent you a pm. Very excited for this hunt. work production has gone down drastically since the draw results were posted however my time in front of the computer has seen a sharp increase. does wenaha east hold the same potential for bulls as the surrounding units?
Maybe better but it is also a deep and steep unit and bulls like to hand 2/3 of the way to the bottom.  Good Luck - if you ignore terrain and just go for it you can get to them. 
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 29, 2018, 09:41:53 AM
thanks magnum willys. the country reminds me of the snake river unit in Oregon which I haven't hunted yet but am very familiar with hiking it. that canyon country is wonderful stuff. Im counting on that terrain to help me find less pressured animals. Ive had that plan backfire on me before in montana however. backpack in real deep to get away from hunters and find out I got away from all the elk too. that's my only fear about this unit is if there are places in there where there just isn't any feed and thus no elk. but that's what scoutins for:)
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: 2MANY on June 29, 2018, 11:03:08 AM
The elk are scattered through out and people will most likely not be an issue during archery.
You might even hear one.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 29, 2018, 12:43:44 PM
if I only hear one I probably need to hunt harder. or like my old man used to say clean the wax outta my ears
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Woodchuck on June 29, 2018, 02:02:21 PM
The elk in there and surrounding areas have become less and less vocal over the last few years.  :twocents:
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: trophyhunt on June 29, 2018, 02:05:54 PM
The elk in there and surrounding areas have become less and less vocal over the last few years.  :twocents:
wolves, the elk are learning quickly.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Woodchuck on June 29, 2018, 02:35:08 PM
The elk in there and surrounding areas have become less and less vocal over the last few years.  :twocents:
wolves, the elk are learning quickly.
Bingo
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Timberstalker on June 29, 2018, 02:36:39 PM
Most elk are coming out the hind ends of the wolves, bears and cats. :twocents:
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 29, 2018, 03:18:14 PM
I didn’t have any problem listening to all sorts of bulls in there last year. 😂




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Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 29, 2018, 04:04:46 PM
LMAO
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Branden on June 29, 2018, 06:13:39 PM
I’ve been in there scouting for archery during the summer. And got pretty discouraged because we didn’t see much for bulls. Once the season rolled around though we saw enough good bulls to have a fun hunt. So don’t be worried if you aren’t seeing what you expect to in there during the summer.

The last time I hunted the blues I had a tag in a neighboring unit. We set up 3 cams. Never had any wolves but every cam had a cat on it. We did see lots of wolf tracks during the hunt, but we also saw lots of cat tracks. We saw 3 lions during that hunt.

The first hunt I was on there the bulls responded pretty early in the hunt to calling. The last hunt they didn’t really start responding until the 15th-16th if I remember right.

Enjoy it because it’s probably the last time you will get to hunt branch bulls in there.

Regards, Branden
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on June 29, 2018, 08:34:18 PM
Thanks for the info Branden, ill keep this in mind
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: James Kyle on July 01, 2018, 02:17:31 PM
Most elk are coming out the hind ends of the wolves, bears and cats. :twocents:

That’s a fact, the Blues are headed down the tube along with the rest of the state.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Scottstjohn62 on July 01, 2018, 05:16:36 PM
How many points did you have?  Good luck! 


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Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on July 01, 2018, 09:30:10 PM
Most elk are coming out the hind ends of the wolves, bears and cats. :twocents:

That’s a fact, the Blues are headed down the tube along with the rest of the state.

Well raise my rent!!! thats too bad. I guess ill jus go on a 20 day bow hike :chuckle:
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on July 03, 2018, 10:04:42 PM
Thanks for all the pm's everyone, I replied to each and every one, so if you got no response maybe clear your inbox. Lots of help!
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Max_Buck on July 10, 2018, 07:35:54 PM
Shallowforks,

I drew the same tag, but during the Muzzle season. I'm taking cameras in mid August. Maybe we can share some info. Be interested in what you find out on your hunt.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on July 10, 2018, 09:49:45 PM
Max buck,

Of course, I should be able to give you tons of info before your hunt starts. Whats the dates for the muzzy hunt? You Gunna DIY or hire one of the outtfitters? Ill be taking my first scout trip in a week and a half. PM me, we can compare notes.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: BowhunterPNW on July 11, 2018, 10:44:45 AM
My hunting partner drew that tag last year.  We did a drop camp with Dave with Western Life Outfitters.  Last year was a difficult year for us, we hunted our butts off and on the last morning of the last day we were hunting, my buddy killed a nice bull, not a giant but a very nice 6x6.  Last year, a majority of the heavy fired areas were full of fire weed.  The elk were feeding in there, using it for cover and bedding areas.  It did prove to be difficult to hunt in however as many of the patches were over 6 feet tall.  We didn't see the amount of elk I thought we would but the entire trip including horse pack in, great camp and beautiful country made for a very memorable hunt.  Also where Dave set up us, we didn't see any other archery elk hunters, had the entire area to ourselves.  We did have some nice bulls on camera and had several close calls (typical archery hunting).  If I could recommend anything, it would be to take your getting in shape seriously.  The country is steep and deep and can beat down a guy.
Good Luck.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: Allen23 on July 31, 2018, 02:43:35 PM
I know a guy that has been in that country a lot for a long time and he seemed to think that fire pushed a lot of elk south into the Sled Springs unit in Oregon........ but I am sure they would have bounced back in there by now, I would say you'll be in them if your any kind of hunter.... Good Luck!! That was a dirty hot fire, but we are now seeing the benefit of a fire like that that unit will be getting better and better for the next 6-10 years
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: jackelope on July 31, 2018, 02:50:01 PM
My hunting partner drew that tag last year.  We did a drop camp with Dave with Western Life Outfitters.  Last year was a difficult year for us, we hunted our butts off and on the last morning of the last day we were hunting, my buddy killed a nice bull, not a giant but a very nice 6x6.  Last year, a majority of the heavy fired areas were full of fire weed.  The elk were feeding in there, using it for cover and bedding areas.  It did prove to be difficult to hunt in however as many of the patches were over 6 feet tall.  We didn't see the amount of elk I thought we would but the entire trip including horse pack in, great camp and beautiful country made for a very memorable hunt.  Also where Dave set up us, we didn't see any other archery elk hunters, had the entire area to ourselves.  We did have some nice bulls on camera and had several close calls (typical archery hunting).  If I could recommend anything, it would be to take your getting in shape seriously.  The country is steep and deep and can beat down a guy.
Good Luck.

@BowhunterPNW
Are you the guy who posted all the awesome photo's on Dave's Facebook page?
If so, you should share some of them here.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: BowhunterPNW on July 31, 2018, 04:09:33 PM
My hunting partner drew that tag last year.  We did a drop camp with Dave with Western Life Outfitters.  Last year was a difficult year for us, we hunted our butts off and on the last morning of the last day we were hunting, my buddy killed a nice bull, not a giant but a very nice 6x6.  Last year, a majority of the heavy fired areas were full of fire weed.  The elk were feeding in there, using it for cover and bedding areas.  It did prove to be difficult to hunt in however as many of the patches were over 6 feet tall.  We didn't see the amount of elk I thought we would but the entire trip including horse pack in, great camp and beautiful country made for a very memorable hunt.  Also where Dave set up us, we didn't see any other archery elk hunters, had the entire area to ourselves.  We did have some nice bulls on camera and had several close calls (typical archery hunting).  If I could recommend anything, it would be to take your getting in shape seriously.  The country is steep and deep and can beat down a guy.
Good Luck.

@BowhunterPNW
Are you the guy who posted all the awesome photo's on Dave's Facebook page?
If so, you should share some of them here.

No that's not me, I'm careful to post picks of others.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: MtnMuley on July 31, 2018, 05:21:00 PM
I know a guy that has been in that country a lot for a long time and he seemed to think that fire pushed a lot of elk south into the Sled Springs unit in Oregon........ but I am sure they would have bounced back in there by now, I would say you'll be in them if your any kind of hunter.... Good Luck!! That was a dirty hot fire, but we are now seeing the benefit of a fire like that that unit will be getting better and better for the next 6-10 years
There is no way that fire pushed elk into the Sled Springs unit. I'm sure a few wandered down to the Oregon Wenaha for the time being, but the Sled unit, no.
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on August 06, 2018, 06:52:41 PM
saw two whitetail bucks in the unit at almost 6000' this weekend. I was surprised but maybe that is normal?
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: bowhunterty on August 07, 2018, 08:04:19 AM
Last 10 years I've seen  whitetails up that high
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on August 07, 2018, 08:25:16 AM
so nothing new there :tup:
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: shallowforks on August 26, 2018, 09:44:52 PM
Saw a few trail cams in the unit this weekend. Was in there with my son, he drew the archery quality squirrel tag for that unit. Didnt fill his tag but saw a couple bruisers :chuckle:   If you see us on your camera next time you check it, pm us a pic. My son likes to smile and wave at them. :sry:
Title: Re: wenaha east post 2015 grizzly complex
Post by: JWEBB on August 27, 2018, 09:53:48 PM
Saw a few trail cams in the unit this weekend. Was in there with my son, he drew the archery quality squirrel tag for that unit. Didnt fill his tag but saw a couple bruisers :chuckle:   If you see us on your camera next time you check it, pm us a pic. My son likes to smile and wave at them. :sry:

Awesome! Love it when fellow hunters take their kids along with them. My oldest has been coming with me to the blues since he was 11 months. Good on you :tup:
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