Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: bowhunterforever on June 24, 2009, 02:41:51 PM

Title: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 24, 2009, 02:41:51 PM: Ok since i didn't get draw for a special hunt this year i was wondering what gmu's are worth trying during the ML spike hunt? I am disabled so i cant get to far from the roads. So do you guys think theres any areas i might have a chance at getting a spike with my ML? If you guys dont think it's worth my time i'll just try to get lucky and find some elk in NE WA, again. Any info is helpful. Thanks
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: 270Shooter on June 25, 2009, 09:31:38 AM: You might look into the Rimrock unit, it has pretty good access. But you won't be alone and in some places it can get steep. :yike:
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: zackmioli on June 25, 2009, 09:39:32 AM: where ever you go bring a good friend to help pack it out! good luck!
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: alanger on June 25, 2009, 02:02:59 PM: Yeah no joke zackmioli
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 26, 2009, 02:45:20 PM: Would bethel be worth checking out? :dunno: I have never hunted the yakima heard before. I have just hunted elk in the clockum and i dont want to hunt for true spikes :chuckle: so i figured i might try somewhere in the yakima gmu's, just not sure what one i should try.Thanks
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: 270Shooter on June 26, 2009, 02:51:07 PM: Bethel would be ok, again it get really crowded, and most of the elk are in the wilderness area. But there will be some resident elk down low. But they will be in the thick stuff come hunting season.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: colockumelk on June 26, 2009, 05:21:43 PM: Quote from: 270Shooter on June 25, 2009, 09:31:38 AM
You might look into the Rimrock unit, it has pretty good access. But you won't be alone and in some places it can get steep. :yike:

Rimrock for ML is permit only so don't go there.

Since you have hunted around Ellensburg I would go hunt GMU 340. If you have a quad or dirt bike or if you can borrow one this GMU would give you the most access. There are alot of ORV trails that you could use to get into areas that you normally wouldn't be able to access.. A word of caution though, you can't take a dirt bike or 4-Wheeler on any of the main roads. You have to stick to the trails. There's also alot of elk in GMU 340.

If you want to hunt the Yakima herd I would go to either GMU 360 Bethel or 352 Nile. There isn't very many guys that hunt it during the ML season and has a good amount of road access. This area could depend on the weather but there's a good amount of elk there as well.

GMU 368 is a really good place to ML hunt for spikes with good road access but this IMHO is THE most crowded place during the ML season.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: 270Shooter on June 26, 2009, 07:07:48 PM: Quote from: colockumelk on June 26, 2009, 05:21:43 PM
Quote from: 270Shooter on June 25, 2009, 09:31:38 AM
You might look into the Rimrock unit, it has pretty good access. But you won't be alone and in some places it can get steep. :yike:

Rimrock for ML is permit only so don't go there.

Oops didn't know that. Why would it be permit only?
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: bobcat on June 26, 2009, 07:11:53 PM: Not all units are open for the general muzzleloader season. Although there are a lot more than there used to be.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: colockumelk on June 29, 2009, 04:51:17 PM: I forgot to mention that as far as hunting pressure for GMU 340 Manastash I do not know. Maybe someone else could help with that info.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: bowhunterforever on July 01, 2009, 12:17:28 AM: Thanks for the help clockum! :tup: Is most of the manastash public land?
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: colockumelk on July 01, 2009, 09:35:46 AM: Yeah like 95% of it is public land.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 01, 2009, 07:34:25 PM: I hunted the 340 unit last year during archery season and shot a cow. saw a lot of elk. There is a lot of flat ground around where we hunted. I shot my cow last year by gnat flats. I've also hunted the taneum and shot 2 spikes around fishhook flats.
Title: Re: Muzzeloader spike hunting
Post by: ing on July 02, 2009, 06:24:52 AM: I don't want to give any false info, but I think that there is some roads that only disabled hunters can drive on in the bethel unit. You might want to check into it.