Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:18:11 PM

Title: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:18:11 PM: As usual for our bull elk category on our special permits we put in for the Skagit tag as our first choice since it is so close to home. There really wasn't a great second choice option so I randomly chose the hardest to draw tag thinking we wouldn't draw anyways. Well wouldn't you know, my son drew it. We were excited with the draw but a little pessimistic since we knew nothing of the area. First thing we did, of course, was to do a quick search on HW. We found a post by luvmystang67 and pm'd him. He gave us a very good idea of the area and how he hunted it. This information was very helpful!
My son did the first scouting trip on his own in September. (his hunt started October 17th) He had 3 days to scout but after seeing 15 bulls the first day he got excited and came home early.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:19:13 PM: Some scouting pics.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:25:04 PM: The next trip down I was super excited because my wife really wanted to come with us and see the area around the volcano. We visited Cougar, Ape Caves, and spent the night in Packwood. We only saw a handful of cows in the unit but saw a ton of good bulls in the mudflow area from the Windy Ridge lookout.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:34:17 PM: Ape Caves
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:35:07 PM: Spirit Lake
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:36:02 PM: And of course, St Helens.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: PolarBear on October 28, 2019, 09:48:03 PM: We use to hunt that area early archery. Smith and Bean. He should't have any problem filling a tag in that area! One day we called up 26 bulls just from the 99 road. Spirit Lake has some absolutely monster trout it in. I'm talking 10+ pounds.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:49:33 PM: Two trips gave us a good idea of where we wanted to start. With the rut being over we knew it wasn't going to be a gimme. When the time came for the trip down, the day before the hunt, we loaded our gear and headed for the 5 hr trip to the camping spot we chose, about a half hour drive from the unit. Seattle was not good to us and turned it into a 7 hr drive, putting us there with only 1 hr to set up camp before dark. As soon as we set up the rain moved in and pounded the tent all night. 4 o'clock in the morning came quick however. Loading up in the truck I was a bit concerned because the clouds settled around the mountain making the seriously bumpy road hard to see due to headlight glare.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 09:58:51 PM: We parked where we wanted to start hiking about an hour before daylight. Shortly after another truck pulled in who turned out to be the other tag holder. We chatted a bit and he graciously retreated to another ridge to start his hunt. We proceeded with our plans. As daylight came it became apparent that the clouds were going to be stubbornly persistent but we continued in case they lifted.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 28, 2019, 10:02:17 PM: Fogged out.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: X-Force on October 28, 2019, 11:08:44 PM: Tagging along
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 29, 2019, 05:19:50 AM: Stay at it you will do well
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 29, 2019, 07:14:22 AM: Quote from: X-Force on October 28, 2019, 11:08:44 PM
Tagging along
:yeah:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: HighCountryHunter88 on October 29, 2019, 07:19:01 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2019, 07:37:45 AM: :yeah:. Can't wait to hear more
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 29, 2019, 07:56:14 AM: :yeah: Keep it going!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 29, 2019, 08:31:40 AM: I've been there in the fog can't see a thing.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: kellama2001 on October 29, 2019, 08:34:12 AM: Great pics and story so far :tup:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 2MANY on October 29, 2019, 08:55:05 AM: I'm guessing these last few nice days will result in a dead bull for them as they will feed into the more open/visible stuff.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2019, 09:11:17 AM: I assume we are just waiting for 3nails to finish the write up. Didn't the hunt close the 23rd? Maybe Its not the one I'm thinking of.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 29, 2019, 09:48:47 AM: Quote from: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2019, 09:11:17 AM
I assume we are just waiting for 3nails to finish the write up. Didn't the hunt close the 23rd? Maybe Its not the one I'm thinking of.
I believe you're right.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 2MANY on October 29, 2019, 12:28:35 PM: Hope they succeeded.
I just assumed they were still hunting like I wish I was. :)
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 29, 2019, 01:10:51 PM: After about 3 hrs and 3 or 4 miles we headed back to the truck to try and wait it out. We drove back and forth to different vantage points hoping for an opening that never came. The funny thing is, the north side of the ridge was fairly open and we were continually teased with sightings of good bulls. My son and the packer (that's how I'll refer to his buddy that tagged along for the hunt) pretty much slept in the truck all day apparently needing rest from spending too much time with their girlfriends.
That night the rain poured down again until maybe 3 a.m. When the alarm went off we were pleasantly surprised to see a few stars out giving us hope for the day. The weather forecast was for very heavy rains throughout the duration of the hunt so this little break was the opportunity we needed. Upon arriving at the parking area again we were greeted with a nice skiff of fresh snow and a high ceiling. We headed west towards Ape Canyon glassing as we went.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 29, 2019, 01:12:10 PM: .
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Dblstks on October 29, 2019, 01:18:10 PM: Good luck
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 29, 2019, 07:00:18 PM: After reaching the far west end of the canyon and not seeing any elk, we decided to work our way back towards some of the finger ridges descending into the basin below. Hunting down one of these revealed a tremendous amount of sign. The footing in these areas is very unique. The best I can describe it would be like walking on hollow golf balls and marbles. You step into it and ooze/slide 4 inches every step. It's a little hard not to get distracted by this incredible environment. We continued glassing our way down and I located a giant blacktail buck on the ridge to the east. I know what a good blackie looks like and if it was open for deer and I had a tag I would have gone right after him! We admired him for a bit then continued down the ridge. We got to a point several hundred yards down and decided to just sit for a bit and look for movement. At this point the weather began to deteriorate. The wind picked up and clouds were rolling back in. Right before I was going to suggest another ridge I located a bull about 800 yards away on the opposite side of the basin. It looked really good to me and my son agreed. I was thinking in my head that it was a solid 5x5. Dark antlers with ivory tips. We decided to get back to the truck, drive to the other side and make a play from there. I should say that since my son had never killed an elk, "any" elk would have been a good one. I dropped him off at the top of that ridge and he began cutting the distance which was around 600 yds. After maybe 20 minutes I started getting antsy and began looking around for a place to get a view of where the elk was. I located an area, grabbed the packer, and went that direction.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: sagerat on October 29, 2019, 08:02:08 PM: Awesome story, keep it coming!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: dewandgin on October 29, 2019, 08:02:35 PM: tagging along
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: X-Force on October 29, 2019, 08:24:47 PM: I wish you had a picture of the blacktail.

I wonder what huge is to a guy with a 150” BT avatar!

Story is getting good
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 29, 2019, 08:31:12 PM: We glassed for the bull for an hour or so with no luck. I could see my son working back up so I decided to leave and pick him up. I knew he had to be exhausted. After walking maybe 10 yds the packer said he saw something move in the direction of the bull. I stopped, glassed, and sure enough, the bull was working his way into the next basin which we were in. I told the packer to stay put and keep an eye on him while I went for my son. We came back over and the packer said he lost him in some thick brush. I ranged said brush at 600 yds. We then looked to drop into the basin and cut as much distance as possible. After cutting out about 150 yds my son set up on a stump hoping he'd step out. We then waited 15-20 minutes. About that time we caught movement and sure enough here he comes. At 400 yds I knew he could make the shot but I told him to hold off believing the bull would work closer with the line he was on. He entered more brush and turned uphill away from us adding distance. At 500 yds the bull finally stopped in an opening broadside and I told my son if he felt good to take the shot. One second later he shot and I heard the impact of the bullet. The bull turned and ran downhill towards us. He paused at 350 yds broadside and my son hammered him again. 30 yards later the bull went down. I told him to keep the gun on him, elk are tough. We then began to get a bit excited. After about 15 more minutes we began closing the distance to where the bull lay.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 29, 2019, 08:34:28 PM
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: sagerat on October 29, 2019, 08:41:22 PM: Not bad for a flat bill! :chuckle: seriously though, that’s awesome! Heck of a first elk!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2019, 08:43:13 PM: Awesome bull! It's a neat area to hunt and fun country to be in.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: X-Force on October 29, 2019, 08:55:32 PM: Quote from: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2019, 08:43:13 PM
Awesome bull! It's a neat area to hunt and fun country to be in.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: sagerat on October 29, 2019, 08:59:19 PM: Quote from: X-Force on October 29, 2019, 08:24:47 PM
I wish you had a picture of the blacktail.

I wonder what huge is to a guy with a 150” BT avatar!

Story is getting good

:yeah: I’ve had the pumice cow tag twice and never laid eyes on a blacktail, have heard there’s some dandy’s in there though...
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 29, 2019, 09:48:05 PM: Nice bull.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: NWCoho on October 29, 2019, 09:55:37 PM: Great job very nice bull
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Dark2Dark on October 29, 2019, 10:37:44 PM: Post pics. Videos always crash Tapatalk! Haha. Great story.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 30, 2019, 05:01:26 AM: :tup: congrats...love the look on his face when he walks up on the bull... that's what it's all about...
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 30, 2019, 06:12:07 AM: 6x6
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 30, 2019, 06:13:08 AM: .
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: kentrek on October 30, 2019, 07:26:53 AM: That's awesome!! Great bull....I think I had on the hoof pics of this bull back in September...but deleted them :bash:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: jbeaumont21 on October 30, 2019, 07:38:20 AM: Awesome bull and what a cool place to take him in! Love the crowns. Congrats to the hunter!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 30, 2019, 08:40:26 AM: Great write up! Great bull! Congrats to your son!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: sjhgraysage on October 30, 2019, 10:45:44 AM: Congrats! That s a great first elk!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 30, 2019, 12:49:17 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: scrapperdude on October 30, 2019, 01:43:42 PM: congrats :tup:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 30, 2019, 01:59:17 PM: Awesome write up, video and bull! Congrats and thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Watimberghost on October 30, 2019, 03:58:11 PM: That's awesome! Cool to see the family hunts. Congrats!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: trophyhunt on October 30, 2019, 04:50:18 PM: Amen! Love it, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 30, 2019, 11:01:37 PM: So happy for you guys! What an awesome bull! How was the pack out? There aren't many easy ones in that area. Glad you found a good one and hope you got a few good views of the mountain. That place is addictive, it was probably the best hunt I've ever had and I didn't even tag out on my hunt there.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 31, 2019, 07:35:00 AM: Congrats on a nice bull. Definitely a fun area to hunt.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: mburrows on October 31, 2019, 07:38:30 AM: Well done congrats!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: kellama2001 on October 31, 2019, 08:11:58 AM: Very cool bull! Glad to see all the hard work pay off, God is good indeed! Now to enjoy all that good meat! :drool:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: jmscon on October 31, 2019, 09:11:45 AM: Awesome elk and story, thanks for sharing! I’m glad you were able to share that with your son.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Birdguy on October 31, 2019, 06:12:54 PM: Great bull, great fun, and what memories!!! Outstanding!! Congrats :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 31, 2019, 08:32:19 PM: The first day pack out wasn't terrible.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on October 31, 2019, 08:35:26 PM: The last load the next day was.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: X-Force on October 31, 2019, 08:38:50 PM: Quote from: 3nails on October 31, 2019, 08:32:19 PM
The first day pack out wasn't terrible.

Just the fact it’s a multiple day packout should scare most people away.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: HntnFsh on November 01, 2019, 05:33:48 AM: Wow! That's a great bull and a heck of a pack.

I'm curious why the hoofs were left attached for the pack out? I thought all elk hoofs were supposed to be removed and left behind. Does that unit have a special requirement?
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: D-Rock425 on November 01, 2019, 07:13:52 AM: Awesome job congrats.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 01, 2019, 07:26:32 AM: Congratulations on a fine bull! :tup:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: MountainTracker on November 01, 2019, 06:21:54 PM: That’s an awesome bull!! Pretty cool you could be there for his first elk. Congrats

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on November 01, 2019, 08:35:12 PM: Quote from: X-Force on October 31, 2019, 08:38:50 PM
Quote from: 3nails on October 31, 2019, 08:32:19 PM
The first day pack out wasn't terrible.

Just the fact it’s a multiple day packout should scare most people away.
Every step into the unit is a step down which means after the kill every step is up!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on November 01, 2019, 08:36:33 PM: Quote from: HntnFsh on November 01, 2019, 05:33:48 AM
Wow! That's a great bull and a heck of a pack.

I'm curious why the hoofs were left attached for the pack out? I thought all elk hoofs were supposed to be removed and left behind. Does that unit have a special requirement?
I forgot the saw at the truck. Cut it off at the top.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on November 01, 2019, 08:42:06 PM: I mostly created this post for future tag holders who do a search on here. Feel free to PM me, future tag holders.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: hard hunter on November 02, 2019, 12:17:47 AM: loved the write up and a great bull
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: sagerat on November 02, 2019, 05:43:06 AM: So how big was that blacktail? Too bad they don’t offer a deer permit in there.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Gentrys on November 02, 2019, 09:55:50 AM: Great story and nice gesture for future tag holders.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on November 03, 2019, 02:41:15 PM: Quote from: sagerat on November 02, 2019, 05:43:06 AM
So how big was that blacktail? Too bad they don’t offer a deer permit in there.
Huge wide tall heavy frame. Didn't get a point count but saw deep forks. If you saw the blacktail I killed this year, I debated 10-15 minutes on whether or not to shoot him. I'd have put this one on the dirt in 3-4 seconds.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: TVHunts on November 03, 2019, 05:13:34 PM: Congrats to you all. Great bull and read. :tup:
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: blacktailer on November 03, 2019, 07:46:50 PM: Nice Bull. Congrats
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: elkoholic on December 17, 2019, 10:17:03 AM: A good friend of mine killed the 2nd bull in your scouting pictures with the broken 4th point and I did the Euro mount on it for him...
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on December 17, 2019, 07:42:59 PM: Quote from: elkoholic on December 17, 2019, 10:17:03 AM
A good friend of mine killed the 2nd bull in your scouting pictures with the broken 4th point and I did the Euro mount on it for him...
Cool! Do you have a pic of it?
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: elkoholic on December 18, 2019, 07:15:09 AM: I will get some pictures from him.. He mentioned seeing you guys up there.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on December 18, 2019, 01:45:45 PM: Quote from: elkoholic on December 18, 2019, 07:15:09 AM
I will get some pictures from him.. He mentioned seeing you guys up there.
That would be great! My son shot his right after your friend so we never had time to go see it.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Piscatory_5 on December 20, 2019, 10:10:31 AM: I believe a coworker of mine's son was the other tag holder. Haven't seen a picture of him but was told it was nice by another coworker who grew up in Randle/Packwood area.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Jake Lundy on May 11, 2022, 03:47:16 PM: I had the quality tag in 2019 with a rifle!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Jake Lundy on May 11, 2022, 10:20:53 PM: We were actually going to shoot a rag horn. Was going to lose all my pack mules after that day. This guy finally showed back up that day. Had seen him two weeks before the season. I have a video of the shots from my phone skope and spotting scope!
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: Dan-o on May 11, 2022, 11:40:15 PM: That's a really cool bull.

Lots of character.
Title: Re: Upper Smith Creek Bull Hunt
Post by: 3nails on May 12, 2022, 04:41:12 AM: Quote from: Jake Lundy on May 11, 2022, 10:20:53 PM
We were actually going to shoot a rag horn. Was going to lose all my pack mules after that day. This guy finally showed back up that day. Had seen him two weeks before the season. I have a video of the shots from my phone skope and spotting scope!
Great bull! Would love to see the video.