Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: littlebuf on May 19, 2009, 06:27:27 PM

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Title: GMU 653
Post by: littlebuf on May 19, 2009, 06:27:27 PM

is 653 draw only for elk? the regs read 642-652, 654-684. but when i look at page 66 it doesn't refer to 653 being closed.

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: blmathis12 on May 19, 2009, 07:21:47 PM

its closed to special hunt only!!! but the indians get'em pretty good your better off putting in for margret or toutle!

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: littlebuf on May 19, 2009, 07:33:45 PM

i had a guy take a nice 6x6 in there last year just down the hill from me, i was on the other side of the road in 654 and he didnt say anything about drawing a special tag  :dunno:

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: Crunchy on May 20, 2009, 07:01:55 AM

ya white river tag.  Nothing i would loose points over, but there are some nice bulls in there.  I hunted it a lot before it became special permit only.

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: littlebuf on May 20, 2009, 07:14:49 AM

any paticular reason its draw only in there?

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: gutsnthegrass on May 20, 2009, 01:41:49 PM

I know they changed a few years back, this can be a great unit if you know where to go.  You definetly need to get off the roads and wear out some boot leather.  Someone told me that the Mucks had something to do with it closing and going to permit only. I don't know how much truth to that there is though.  I did put in for the archery permit cause its close to home and I know where there are some pretty good areas.

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: dpete on May 20, 2009, 03:33:10 PM

The best hunting in this unit is in the hancock tree farm..U need a permit just like kapowsin.. I saw some huge bulls at a local taxi shop that came from the grass mtn side. and yes the mucks shoot lotsa elk here too. good tag if you know where to go..

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: littlebuf on May 20, 2009, 04:57:46 PM

i know some good spots to go, im sure glad i looked at the regs tho i was gunna elk hunt in there this year  :yike:

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: MooseStock on May 20, 2009, 06:08:56 PM

There are alot of elk in this unit and if you scout it you will see lots of Bulls.... before "THEY" start their hunt in August. But if you get drawn by the time you get to hunt most of them will be hanging or in some freezer down on the Muckleshoot reservation and it will be a frustrating experience of seeing nothing but lots of cows. It has been so over-logged by Hancock that the Mucks just drive around  about 35mph until they catch them in the many clearcuts when they are in the rut and they totally slaughter them......Les

Title: Re: GMU 653
Post by: Up a Creek on May 22, 2009, 02:29:28 PM

Very true, the mucks have thoes totaly messed up when the tag comes up. If you get off the road you might find one of the few bulls left................................