Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: rosscrazyelk on November 13, 2009, 09:57:29 AM

Title: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 13, 2009, 09:57:29 AM: So besides what you harvested or not just wondering how you felt the season was for you? My season in the blues as far as seeing game was not as productive as years past. I usually see at least 20 or more branched bulls and tons of cows in a season. And I cannot tell you how many deer I usually see.
This year was way different. I only saw 3 branched antlers bulls and maybe 20 cows and the deer were almost non existent. Not sure why. This was not just me, my whole group did not see as many as usual. The camp next to us some guys went the whole week without even seeing an elk. One guy only even saw one deer. Just wondering how your trip was?
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Slayock on November 13, 2009, 10:07:56 AM: My cousin shot a spike and my dad and my uncle both missed one. They said they saw around 300 head of elk. They figured they saw more elk this year than they have in the last 10 years combined. I think there were big herds and if you werent on those herds you werent going to see as much.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Little Dave on November 13, 2009, 10:11:47 AM: My son and I were out there for turkey, but I saw deer all over the place first week in October in Wallowa and Asotin Counties. Two guys swinging a nice buck into the back of their truck top of the hill above Troy. Saw a few cow elk closer to Enterprise.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: jackelope on November 13, 2009, 10:23:58 AM: we hunted the peola unit on private and public farm land and we saw probably 75 mule deer in 3 days, all of which except for 1 were young little 3's or fork's, women and children.
we saw maybe 5 whitetail does, no bucks. it was a good year for seeing muleys, but not for seeing shooters.
i don't hunt elk down there but i do know that one of the archery permit guys called in 14 branch antlered bulls on the 1st day.
:dunno:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Woodchuck on November 13, 2009, 10:33:10 AM: i wont be buying a beef this year :dunno:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: HUNT on November 13, 2009, 10:35:52 AM: Seemed to be elk all over. I heard that the population was up this year for the blue mountains.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: BLUEBULLS on November 13, 2009, 11:57:01 AM: numbers are defintely up a litttle this year. We've had no problem finding plenty of elk throughout the year. Rifle season I hunted two days and saw around 200 head, in about 15 or 20 herds.

also saw several branched bulls including one really good one.

deer numbers seem average.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: touchet2 on November 13, 2009, 02:11:43 PM: I guess it depends on where you happen to be hunting. I was hunting the 162 Dayton unit and saw no deer and very few elk. There is a cougar problem in the area I hunt and that has been bad for the deer. I saw 3 branch antlered bulls, 8 cows and 3 calves and no spikes. The full moon was not any help as the elk went into the dark timber about 10 minutes after shooting times in the mornings and came out about 10 minutes before the end of shooting time. Not alot of sign after the snow before the season started. Probably the least amount of deer or elk seen this year and a record amount of hunters.

I would like to know where the other hunters are seeing 200 elk!!! Certainly was not around the 162 unit.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 13, 2009, 02:30:51 PM: that would be cool to see that many elk
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 13, 2009, 03:25:57 PM: Touchet, I was in the Dayton unit as well more specifically on chase mountain. I had the exact same things where I as at. The cougar problem is very evident . My buddy saw 4 cougars running together and even took a shot at one. Thought he hit one but the search turned up no cougar. When it snowed i saw cougar tracks everyday. Heard stories that other people got shots at cougars too. I got my Elk but my buddies who had cow tags did not fill theirs. it was always the people who did not have tags saw cows and the others did not. Guess we should of traveled outside our little box..
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Woodchuck on November 13, 2009, 03:45:47 PM: we were in 162 as well, filled cow tags, i will say this, did not see a spike although a friends camp shot 3, 1 draw over. i did not see huge herds but did see them running 12-15 head together, i was across from rosscrazy
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: touchet2 on November 13, 2009, 03:49:18 PM: We hunted off Griffen Peak, so we were not that far from each other. There definitely is a cat problem in the whole 162 unit. I know where I will be cat hunting later. It is open till the end of December, then by permit after that. Not sure why they went with a permit system after Dec. 31st. Too many cats and to few deer and soon to be elk.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: MHWASH on November 13, 2009, 03:52:37 PM: I would say it was a typicall year. Except I actually shot a spike. :chuckle: This is the first season I've seen a spike during the season and I saw 2 together. We usually see between 20-50 head in the short week we are there. Elk always out number the deer. 166.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on November 13, 2009, 03:56:54 PM: If the cats and the wolves have their way (via the idiots), it will go from being the blue mountains named by color - to the blue mountains so named by frame of mind due to lack of animals.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 13, 2009, 04:01:42 PM: Jimkd8, I think I met those guys who got those spikes. They kept driving over to my side to scope out your side to find out where the elk were. I took a drive over where you were one day and that is where I saw a monster buck. I posted a picture in the deer forum under "saw this brute elk hunting"
glad you filled your tags.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 13, 2009, 04:04:05 PM: I actually know for fact lots of cow tags went home empty.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: BLUEBULLS on November 13, 2009, 04:17:21 PM: Quote from: touchet2 on November 13, 2009, 02:11:43 PM
I guess it depends on where you happen to be hunting. I was hunting the 162 Dayton unit and saw no deer and very few elk. There is a cougar problem in the area I hunt and that has been bad for the deer. I saw 3 branch antlered bulls, 8 cows and 3 calves and no spikes. The full moon was not any help as the elk went into the dark timber about 10 minutes after shooting times in the mornings and came out about 10 minutes before the end of shooting time. Not alot of sign after the snow before the season started. Probably the least amount of deer or elk seen this year and a record amount of hunters.

I would like to know where the other hunters are seeing 200 elk!!! Certainly was not around the 162 unit.

I was in 162, only got 2 days to hunt so I hit it hard, hiking from dark to dark. I know the area well so that really helps finding elk too.

I agree on the cat thing and I heard that a few people missed that family of cats on chase. Keep me posted if any of you go hunt them this winter, or shoot me a PM if you want company, I'll probably try my hand at thinning the population in December. it's too bad that it closes right when it gets good.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: willapawapiti on November 13, 2009, 07:28:09 PM: My brother filled his branch bull tag opening day in West Wenaha. In the two days of scouting right before, we saw just 5 branched bulls and only one deer.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Woodchuck on November 13, 2009, 07:32:45 PM: i wouldnt mind tagging along to chase cats as well, i dont know the chase side well, but would like to learn
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: yelp on November 13, 2009, 07:53:05 PM: A couple rifle bulls from the Blue Mtns this year.. :) They both score in the high 300's.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: yelp on November 13, 2009, 08:53:33 PM: another pic of the same bulls... :)
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Alan K on November 13, 2009, 08:59:24 PM: Now those are some monsters! :drool:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: BLUEBULLS on November 14, 2009, 06:28:19 AM: that's a couple of guys who knew what they wanted... :drool:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: KillerMiller on November 14, 2009, 08:31:06 AM: Nice!!! :drool:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: yelp on November 14, 2009, 06:23:10 PM: BLueBulls...I tried sending you a PM and it says your inbox is full..

Yelp
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: willapawapiti on November 14, 2009, 07:19:52 PM: Great bulls! What unit?
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: BLUEBULLS on November 16, 2009, 07:47:33 AM: Quote from: yelp on November 14, 2009, 06:23:10 PM
BLueBulls...I tried sending you a PM and it says your inbox is full..

Yelp

i'll delete a few... I always forget to...
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: fly4fish on November 18, 2009, 09:05:09 PM: COUGARS
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: steen on November 19, 2009, 01:43:17 PM: I was hunting elk with the bull permit. I saw only 4 muley does during the muley season while scouting for my elk. That was disappointing to me, but I did see lots of private land, which I don't count being you can't hunt them. Saw lots of branch antlered bulls during the bow season all 6 point or better except one 4X4. Saw at least 200 elk while scouting 5 days before the hunt. My hunt was over at 7:05 opening day and saw a dozen elk that morning. We saw a cougar killed during bow season and a wolf after dark 3 nights before the bull permit opener. My first time in the Blues, impressed with the elk but not so impressed with the mule deer population.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: muley_hunter on November 28, 2009, 10:17:22 PM: I did not get the chance to hunt Elk this year but my normal partners spent the season in 166 and seen very few Elk. Also they found a spike with an arrow sticking out of it and what appeared to be a older branched bull with the head and hind quarters cut off!!! What a shame!
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 28, 2009, 10:26:29 PM: I only made it out two days this season for Sept Archery, but it seemed that we saw the same amount of elk that we usually do.
Something to consider is that the burn areas from the School Fire (2005) and the Columbia Complex Fire (2006) have matured and are providing food and cover for the elk where there was none before. I don't think there are less elk, I just think they are in different areas. Less elk left the mountain in August this year for the fields below because it was a wet summer and there was plenty of food for them on top. Cougars have always been a problem though. Same this year as every year. Spot a herd of cows in May and they all have calves with them. Spot the same herd in August and...well, you know.... :bash: :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: elk311 on November 30, 2009, 10:36:37 AM: get ready! >:( Wolves WILL impact the Blues and perhaps already have:

http://www.wallowa.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=20115&SectionID=9&SubSectionID=61

Just as the Blue Mountain elk herd population was getting better!
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on December 15, 2009, 05:36:12 PM: Amazingly, there are a few guys on this forum who will want more proof than this.
Real proof!, not just video you moron!
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: elk311 on December 16, 2009, 10:04:14 AM: Quote from: Axle on November 13, 2009, 03:56:54 PM
If the cats and the wolves have their way (via the idiots), it will go from being the blue mountains named by color - to the blue mountains so named by frame of mind due to lack of animals.

I'm not sure I understand your previous "moron" comment? :dunno:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 16, 2009, 10:41:26 AM: Quote from: Axle on December 15, 2009, 05:36:12 PM
Amazingly, there are a few guys on this forum who will want more proof than this.
Real proof!, not just video you moron!

Yikes. That was a little harsh, wasn't it?

Are we to assume that the wolves in Idaho won't push west into the Blues?
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: boneaddict on December 16, 2009, 10:47:42 AM: I'm trying to figure out if he is being sarcastic or if he doesn't believe there are wolves in the Blues. :dunno:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 16, 2009, 11:01:13 AM: Yeah, I tend to be an optimist more than most, but I am looking at a map of Idaho and a map of the Blues, and they appear to be relatively adjacent :chuckle:
Maybe there are no wolves in Idaho... :dunno:
Maybe he was just being sarcastic... :dunno:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on December 16, 2009, 11:25:57 AM: Oh my, I was just joking. I surely hope nobody was offended. If so, then I greatly apologize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the wolf threads get a bit out of control. You know - "show us proof or shut up!" attitudes. My comment was meant towards those 'attitudes'. That's all.

I guess I can sound a bit rough at times. I've worked with guys and we used to be verbally rough on each other at times.

There is a lot of ribbing that goes on but most of it goes on between folks who know each other and you can see that in the posts. If you knew me, you wouldn't take it serious.

Cheers! :brew:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: lokidog on December 16, 2009, 11:50:25 AM: Axle, I don't know you but got your joke, having read other wolf posts.

Anyone wants company chasing cougars in the Blues, or anywhere, after Christmas, please let me know. :)
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: boneaddict on December 16, 2009, 11:53:55 AM: GOOD! I thought that was what he meant. One can only be so careful these days. Sensibilities, waded panties, and apple martinis you know.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on December 16, 2009, 12:31:31 PM: Somebody said this one time and I remembered it well:

"we judge ourselves by our 'intentions', but we judge others by their actions"

In a way, it is similar in these threads. How do you really know what the other person is thinking or intending when they rib you with letters on a page? (well,... sometimes we know). After all - we have to use words on these threads. In person, we can just use beer and say things like 'pull my finger'. I understand that pretty well. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: boneaddict on December 16, 2009, 12:51:54 PM: Indeed.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: bucklucky on December 16, 2009, 02:14:05 PM: I never posted my pictures but I did get a few of wolf tracks on a real dusty spur off of 64 this septmber, I definately know they are there. In fact they were acrossed from the trail head to sawtooth on that ridge road to the tower.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: elk311 on December 16, 2009, 02:58:03 PM: Quote from: Axle on December 16, 2009, 11:25:57 AM
Oh my, I was just joking. I surely hope nobody was offended. If so, then I greatly apologize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no offense taken here :IBCOOL: 20 years onboard submarines :yike: and I can take AND dish pretty well. I just didn't know who the comment was for. :dunno: no biggie. I honestly thought that you were contradicting yourself and it was a bit of a slame on my part. :) Now I get it and I agree with you completely! 8)

(re:video) Some people won't get it until thier either bitten, or walk into the woods one day and see NOTHING. No elk, deer, cougar, etc... The proponents don't realize that they are messing with our heritage not simply a sport.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on December 16, 2009, 03:41:52 PM: Quote
The proponents don't realize that they are messing with our heritage not simply a sport.

Ya - but they won't care unless they go hungry and there is nothing in the woods to eat.
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 16, 2009, 04:08:24 PM: OK, glad to see that you were being sarcastic. Sarcasm I understand. Idiots that don't believe in wolves, I don't... :chuckle:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: hawk eyes on December 16, 2009, 08:00:04 PM: oh make no mistake they are there,tri-city herald had an article some time back.game department had a lactating female on trail cam and that means pups they know they are here. :beatdeadhorse:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: Axle on December 16, 2009, 10:13:05 PM: I love telling this:

Years ago I worked with an extremely obnoxious biker who hated all of mankind :bash:. I think he even hated himself secretly. Anyway, one day when he was harassing me he called me a 'moron'. To that I responded "yes, I am 'more on' than you"

He blew up at that and he never called anyone a moron again :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: To all the Blues mountain hunters
Post by: steen on December 17, 2009, 02:38:12 PM: Saw a wolf in the blues on Oct. 23rd 2009. Probably a female, she was not large but for sure not a coyote. Very confident and not worried about us at all. Put a flashlight on her and she never even aknowledged us. Just kept on where she was going in no hurry at all.