Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: sneakyjake on September 15, 2022, 05:03:59 PM

Title: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on September 15, 2022, 05:03:59 PM: I’ve read the old posts on the subject. My understanding is that it is only reasonably accessed by boat probably launched from crescent. Would love to talk to someone or get advice on how to make the best of my plan or put some holes in it like Swiss cheese so I can get a successful hunt in. I have a sturdy 23’ metal boat and a motorcycle. Am I heading in the right direction? Any advice will go a long way. Will help out with others with the tag as best I can.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: time2hunt on September 15, 2022, 05:20:26 PM: Cross the river at crescent bar or come down the bruton ridge road.

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Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Bone collector 13 on September 15, 2022, 05:23:17 PM: Quote from: sneakyjake on September 15, 2022, 05:03:59 PM
I’ve read the old posts on the subject. My understanding is that it is only reasonably accessed by boat probably launched from crescent. Would love to talk to someone or get advice on how to make the best of my plan or put some holes in it like Swiss cheese so I can get a successful hunt in. I have a sturdy 23’ metal boat and a motorcycle. Am I heading in the right direction? Any advice will go a long way. Will help out with others with the tag as best I can.
Shoot me a PM
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: bigdub257 on September 15, 2022, 05:32:52 PM: I'd just launch at CB and head straight across and park the boat, although, try to find some deeper water or anchor it out aways. They can drop the level in the river FAST! I'd also glass the area from the road heading down to CB. Had the tag several years ago and put the binos up halfway down the hill and there were elk everywhere!
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: dreadi on September 15, 2022, 05:51:03 PM: Quote from: time2hunt on September 15, 2022, 05:20:26 PM
Cross the river at crescent bar or come down the bruton ridge road.

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:yeah:
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 15, 2022, 08:02:54 PM: Boat would be wayyyyyy quicker, and nicer ride, than driving down.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: time2hunt on September 15, 2022, 08:16:12 PM: Quote from: NOCK NOCK on September 15, 2022, 08:02:54 PM
Boat would be wayyyyyy quicker, and nicer ride, than driving down.
It would be way easier and nicer to take a boat. But he would never have any crazy story’s of peeing blood for a week after beating his kidney down that jewel of a road

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Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: time2hunt on September 15, 2022, 08:18:06 PM: Plus I would pay to watch him pack a elk out on his motorcycle .

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Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 15, 2022, 08:18:45 PM: Soooooo true.
Younger days we would drink bottled Rainier while driving up there, if ya didn't drink it real fast you'd get a foam rocket shooting out the neck. :chuckle:
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: time2hunt on September 15, 2022, 08:29:24 PM: Oh so true

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Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Okano-gun on September 15, 2022, 08:36:49 PM: Last year one of the tag holders and buddy took their orange off and ran all (200+) elk off Westbar after they shot a cow on opening day. My buddy and the other remaining tag holder didn't see another elk on the bar until the day before the season closed when 4 showed up. Hope you have better luck!
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on September 16, 2022, 01:48:48 PM: How accessible is the west bar road from the shoreline with the motorcycle? Is it a trail or steep cliff/incline?
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: MtnMuley on September 16, 2022, 03:24:36 PM: I did that hunt a couple years ago. I would recommend a smaller 16'ish boat if possible so you can get it pushed off the rocks if the water drops. Expect the water level to fluctuate 2' either way that time of year. Having a 26'er high and dry is no fun. :chuckle:
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on September 16, 2022, 04:55:00 PM: So how was your hunt. Any more advice?
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: MtnMuley on September 16, 2022, 05:17:55 PM: About as easy of a hunt as you can have. Spot the elk, drive the boat over and hike 10' elevation 200yds and killed an elk. Packed it pack to the boat after processing and played stick/rock baseball on the beach until the boat floated again. :chuckle:
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 16, 2022, 09:18:21 PM: When I was younger we would camp at Sumas springs and hunt upland birds from there all the down to the bar. Occasionally we would see the elk coming up for water there. It was fun then couldn’t do it now.🤣
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on September 17, 2022, 03:29:54 PM: How bad of a road and drive is the Brewton/west bar road? 48 miles 2.5 hrs from ellensburg. Can you take a camper in. Is it just better to cross in a boat. Sorry for all the questions, it’s just a short hunt and you get one shot to get in.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: dreadi on September 17, 2022, 09:11:41 PM: Quote from: sneakyjake on September 17, 2022, 03:29:54 PM
How bad of a road and drive is the Brewton/west bar road? 48 miles 2.5 hrs from ellensburg. Can you take a camper in. Is it just better to cross in a boat. Sorry for all the questions, it’s just a short hunt and you get one shot to get in.
Either road in is at times a one lane road. If someone is coming the opposite direction, one of you will have to move out the way. Bringing an extra spare tire is prudent. Being able to radio out is a good measure for safety, some cellular carriers don’t work on the way down.

It’s definitely a truck road, you might need four wheel drive, or a side by side. Not something you want to take a standard Subaru down into. I do not recall ever seeing a camper or trailer being brought down either road into the valley. I wouldn’t suggest doing it. A wall tent would be easier to bring in.
You might stop by the orchard and get some apples for snacks while in you’re in the bottom.

If it’s been raining, you definitely should be driving on tires that are capable of handling big wet rocks mud, wet sand.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 17, 2022, 09:29:14 PM: Quote from: dreadi on September 17, 2022, 09:11:41 PM
Quote from: sneakyjake on September 17, 2022, 03:29:54 PM
How bad of a road and drive is the Brewton/west bar road? 48 miles 2.5 hrs from ellensburg. Can you take a camper in. Is it just better to cross in a boat. Sorry for all the questions, it’s just a short hunt and you get one shot to get in.
Either road in is at times a one lane road. If someone is coming the opposite direction, one of you will have to move out the way. Bringing an extra spare tire is prudent. Being able to radio out is a good measure for safety, some cellular carriers don’t work on the way down.

It’s definitely a truck road, you might need four wheel drive, or a side by side. Not something you want to take a standard Subaru down into. I do not recall ever seeing a camper or trailer being brought down either road into the valley. I wouldn’t suggest doing it. A wall tent would be easier to bring in.
You might stop by the orchard and get some apples for snacks while in you’re in the bottom.

If it’s been raining, you definitely should be driving on tires that are capable of handling big wet rocks mud, wet sand.

Yep
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: shootem on September 17, 2022, 11:27:20 PM: If you are still looking for intel PM me. I had the tag a couple years ago and spend a lot of time in Crescent Bar.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: chrisg6x6 on September 19, 2022, 10:38:25 AM: I have a place in CB and spend tons of time on West Bar and have hundreds of hours watching those elk and walking that country. From what I have witnessed its an opening day tag, once the first group of hunters go in and start chasing elk they all move out of the unit and return the second the season closes. I think you would be very disappointed driving all that way and setting up a camp for a one day hunt. Park at the CB lookout the night before, locate the elk so you have a general idea what direction to head in the morning and go fill your tag. Closing the distance wont be a problem with all the topography either. Also don't let those cliffs fool you, those elk have multiple routes out of that area. PM me if you need any more info or help I'd be glad to help and good luck.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: HntnFsh on September 19, 2022, 05:37:58 PM: Quote from: chrisg6x6 on September 19, 2022, 10:38:25 AM
I have a place in CB and spend tons of time on West Bar and have hundreds of hours watching those elk and walking that country. From what I have witnessed its an opening day tag, once the first group of hunters go in and start chasing elk they all move out of the unit and return the second the season closes. I think you would be very disappointed driving all that way and setting up a camp for a one day hunt. Park at the CB lookout the night before, locate the elk so you have a general idea what direction to head in the morning and go fill your tag. Closing the distance wont be a problem with all the topography either. Also don't let those cliffs fool you, those elk have multiple routes out of that area. PM me if you need any more info or help I'd be glad to help and good luck.

Great first post and very nice offer, Welcome aboard!
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: shmacker on October 11, 2022, 10:37:36 AM: Does anyone know how the water level is around west bar/ crescent bar right now?
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on October 11, 2022, 08:02:59 PM: Definitely boat across. West bar is closed to motorized use this time of the year till mid April. Like it’s been suggested, stop up above off the hwy the day before to glass the elk so you know where to start off in the morning.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: howlow on October 28, 2022, 11:34:42 AM: I have hunted the unit many of times. With a boat remember the river fluctuations I have helped many of times getting boats off the shores.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Moose Master on October 28, 2022, 01:38:47 PM: Good job congrats to your success.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 28, 2022, 06:08:52 PM: ??????????????????????? Did I miss sumpin?
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Bone collector 13 on October 30, 2022, 10:28:07 AM: There is only 1 herd on the bar currently. Might be a crap shoot come opening day
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on November 23, 2022, 09:16:47 AM: Thank you everyone for the help. Much appreciated. Spot on with the boat and managing the water fluctuations. Other problems came up, but we survived and I can work on them later. Spotted the herd from 1.5 away. Got to within 800 yards. Didn’t think we would get a shot until a big bull pushed them towards us. Shot was between 500-600. Clean hit to the heart. Clean pack out.
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on November 23, 2022, 09:19:59 AM: .
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: sneakyjake on November 23, 2022, 09:21:46 AM: .
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: Dan-o on November 23, 2022, 09:54:37 AM: Great pics so far. :tup:
Title: Re: West Bar modern cow permit
Post by: dreadi on November 30, 2022, 10:07:05 AM: I've stood in all those places and I'm glad to see you're out there killing the game!