Post by: dreadi on September 13, 2020, 12:29:39 PM
Opening day the air quality got worse and worse. For every herd of elk I saw, noted which direction they were traveling and decided that since I had only heard barely a peep of response from calls, that I would take their lead and follow them. Not on foot, but in the truck. The air was too bad to be humping it up and down from those ridges.
I managed to bump into a few herds elk, and did see one spike. Nothing in bow range except for a bull at 6:30am. Sure would have been nice to have a bull tag right about then.
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There was also a herd of rams of about 27. A few mule deer here and there. There was one spot where I saw three bucks within bow range that all head enough points to be legal in other units but, not legal to hunt in that unit. I was going to note that spot and then realized I had noted that same exact spot on the same day last year. Imagine that. Now I just need a mule deer tag for 329.
After a full day I decided it was too much for me, pulled up stakes and bailed.
I don’t know who, I assume it was WDFW law enforcement, someone was as going around and placing, “WARNING” small poster sized papers on trucks under the wiper blade. I never got close enough to see what the body of the posters said. Most of those trucks were parked on DNR managed lands. There was quite a few camps on DNR land. Perhaps they didn’t get the memo. If you’re not a smart phone person or camp and hunt out of cellular range, I can easily see why some would not know. However, it was a bit perturbing to see people not following the rules, despite my dislike for the closure. There are many spots that I like to hunt on DNR land and the closure forced my hand to venture into less desirable spots.
I hope the rains come soon for everyone’s sake. Also, I’m thinking of bailing on true spike hunts. I had a lot of success calling in bulls last year in the same area. I could be fooling myself since those bulls don’t get the intended pressure like the spikes do.
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Post by: trophyhunt on September 13, 2020, 07:58:04 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 13, 2020, 08:19:21 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 13, 2020, 09:24:01 PM
Pure misery out there. I back packed into a spot near you for the weekend and had to tap out myself mid day today. LONG hike Saturday had me wheezing like an asthmatic and had one of the worst headaches I can ever remember. But hey on the plus side, the smoke blocked out the sun so it wasn't 91° like it was supposed to be :chuckle:
Same here. Bailed and hiked out last night. Head ache and coughing whole hiking out, overall just sick feeling today. Finally feeling normal now.
Post by: dreadi on September 13, 2020, 09:28:21 PM
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Post by: pd on September 13, 2020, 10:15:59 PM
2020 started with Spring Bear closures, now this. What’s next?
Post by: dreadi on September 13, 2020, 10:52:03 PM
This entire thread is depressing.2020 is going to get right. I can see it. I believe.
2020 started with Spring Bear closures, now this. What’s next?
Post by: muleyslayer on September 13, 2020, 11:52:34 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 14, 2020, 05:50:06 AM
First year in along time I went Muzzy instead of archery, smart move so far.
Post by: trophyhunt on September 14, 2020, 07:04:32 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 14, 2020, 07:51:11 AM
I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise. But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th? This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.otc spikes is a hard draw? :o
Post by: Griz231 on September 14, 2020, 08:20:10 AM
Post by: Sutherland on September 14, 2020, 08:33:07 AM
Post by: Griz231 on September 14, 2020, 09:00:44 AM
Don't forget the "TRUE" Spike part. Absolutely ridiculous for archery hunters. I'll bet the muzzle and rifle season is crazy this year with more archery guys/gals moving over.I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise. But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th? This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.otc spikes is a hard draw? :o
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 14, 2020, 09:07:55 AM
We were in the same boat with the smoke. Feeling pretty crappy today but we had an amazing opening day hunt. The best I’ve ever been on!! My pops and I were helping a good friend with his bull tag and he ended up smoking a giant 7x8! If he gives me permission I’ll post a story and some pics but here’s a teaser.
Looking forward to that one!
Post by: TriggerMike on September 14, 2020, 09:42:55 AM
I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag :twocents:
Post by: Special T on September 14, 2020, 10:20:26 AM
WDFW is looking at dropping the true spike requirement for archery just a heads up.Where did you hear about them dropping true spike for archery? They just went to permit only cor archery antlerless.
I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag :twocents:
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Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 14, 2020, 10:22:46 AM
it was in the proposed rule changes that they just did the survey for.WDFW is looking at dropping the true spike requirement for archery just a heads up.Where did you hear about them dropping true spike for archery? They just went to permit only cor archery antlerless.
I did a bear hunt a couple years ago in thick smoke and won't do it again unless I have to. I thought I was out of shape and ended up bailing. Two weeks later went back with clean air to the same mountain and bombed straight up it no problem. The smoke does a lot more than I think most people realize. Howver, if I had a big bull tag in the Colockum I would definitely just suck it up. It's the only option with that tag :twocents:
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Does the OP have a bull tag?
Post by: rainshadow1 on September 14, 2020, 10:37:13 AM
We were in the same boat with the smoke. Feeling pretty crappy today but we had an amazing opening day hunt. The best I’ve ever been on!! My pops and I were helping a good friend with his bull tag and he ended up smoking a giant 7x8! If he gives me permission I’ll post a story and some pics but here’s a teaser.
Looking forward to that one!
:yeah:
Was hoping to go Scout/Bear/Hunckleberry today, but it is worse not better... My boys are with me for a leg now, but to little avail. Really hoping it starts blowing out soon.
Then my older got his tags early this year because he was gonna turn 16, he got Muzzy Elk, but the custody schedule is going to make him miss the Early season completely. We're going to have to go blind for the last week of the Late season up above the 90. (Will beg you guys for some last chance guidance!)
If it's not one thing it's another... what a year!
Post by: trophyhunt on September 14, 2020, 11:18:37 AM
well crap karl, I didn’t read that.I'm a bit confused here, I know, that's not a surprise. But, doesn't your hunt go from sept 12-24th? This is a great tag and tough to draw, I sure hope you give yourself another chance at it.otc spikes is a hard draw? :o
Post by: jstone on September 14, 2020, 12:37:20 PM
Still lots of time for that tag
Post by: 2MANY on September 14, 2020, 12:39:59 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 14, 2020, 01:20:39 PM
Post by: saylean on September 14, 2020, 02:13:05 PM
Good luck all, stay safe. I figure, maybe the elk could use a break anyway with all the smoke, and Im ok with that.
Post by: weaksauce on September 14, 2020, 08:30:55 PM
Post by: dreadi on September 14, 2020, 08:41:50 PM
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