Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: HEADSHOT on February 26, 2008, 07:55:15 PM
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WAS IN THE BEAR RVR AREA TODAY FOUND LOTS OF ELK LOWER AND ON THE CHINOOK SIDE! Between the hatchery and gun club! There still is a good flow of animals going to and from the pennisula "long beach". Anyone else been running round naselle, deep river, chinook area?
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I live in Chinook and hunt all the areas you just talked about. I mainly hunt around Naselle and Deep River. Haven't been in the woods much since elk season, since they close so many gates this time of year. Where do you live HEADSHOT?
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right now I drive to work from hammond or. everyday, but I will be moving to bakerbay near the runway in august. I plan on bow hunting elk and rifle deer, I shot a nice 4x4 "bull" 5 yrs ago in chinook and the following year I shot a nice 6x6"bull" out bean creek but someone thought it would be cool to steal it while I was on my way back to my truck to get rope, and friends. I shoot a spike last year. I have not missed fill'n a deer tag yet, but have missed on my elk a time or two. I also shot the blacktail with my bow you see in my photos out of chinook area.
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--I hunt all those areas to. Bricks Rd, Bean Cr, I spend most my time on the north side of the ridge. I worked in LB for the last 2 years but just transferred out a few months ago. I miss it down there though.
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yeah the naselle rvr side aint bad, but seems like everyone hunts there or at least parks there, then ya got government rd! There is alot of elk but damn bow season feels like they put a highway detour sign up through there. Davis, Bean, Brix are great I dig the bear rvr ridge and coon canyon area as well. Either way pretty tough hunting, I am heading up to check out the nw corner of bear rvr tomorrow. I am thinking about going east for whitetail/mules this year? Anyone wanna go?
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Most of my friends that hunt those areas have switched to bow hunting for elk and I'm seriously thinking about joining them. Longer season, longer days and you get to hunt them in the rut. Bear River, Bricks, Dell Creek, Bean Creek all of upper Naselle and Nemah are getting to be such a zoo during rifle season. Even Coon Canyon and Cliff Point, which are pretty good hikes up some steep hills, get crowded during rifle season. Last year I was scouting a clear cut about 4 miles back behind a gate and watched 2 branched bulls all during deer season. Probably saw them 6 times out of the 10 or so times I was there and only saw 1 hunter. Well come elk season there were no less than 5 guys in that clear cut every day. Needless to say I never saw those bulls again. Had almost the exact same scenario play out the year before too.
Frustrating to say the least :bash:
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switching to bow hunting that area would not be a bad idea. that naselle area is such a damn zoo during rifle season it is not alot of fun. guys on every landing, clear cut and at every gate. i switched to bow hunting last year and will never turn back. far fewer people!
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--Blacktail, same exact thing happend to me the last two years. You pretty much just have to find your Bull the evening before the opener, be in your spot way before daylight to guard your spot and hopefully the bull is still there because if hes in another clearcut somebody else will guaranteed be there.
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I'v hunted naselle for 20years for elk, and bear with archery equipment.One thing I'v found out early on is that if you get a mile from the road you will almost never see another hunter.Rifle season is a different story, I took my 12 year old son down last year was hard pressed to find a spot for our selves. I have no problem hiking past the gates, it keeps most of the other hunter out. hike in and spend all day and have a lot of space to yourself. One thing I'v always wanted to do was go down to the pennisula and talk to the cranberry bog owners and see if they give permission to hunt bears with a bow around their berries?Have you guys ever done that? I know a guy that has and he shot a pig of a bear 400-450lb about 7-8 years ago.
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I did late archery elk west of Naselle this past fall. Didn't see anyone up the same road as me, but a few trucks parked here and there. Tons of fresh sign and tracks. Cow called and had some cows call back, but they were in the thick stuff.
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Just got done driven "salmon creek area" saw 50 elk spread from upper naselle to the nemah hatchery. I came down and went out government rd and saw a good bit, When out south side radar area good sign with a couple cows, saw 10 spikes total. A few deer here n there. I woder with all the blow down and dead fall this is gonna change the woods on the coast. The animals are usen routes that are a bit diff. Entire units are blown over... Oh nothing good but saw sign ne corner of bear river. Long Island had critters on it. As for bear the penn. is full of the darn things... You dont have to hunt the bogs, there is a bit of non owned landed out there.
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For everybody that is thinking of switching to archery, take it from one who knows,archery sucks :chuckle: Stick to the weapon you are using there are no animals out in Sept anyway. We've had enough "help" since Cabala's opened and are selling new bows for around $300.
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bowpredator...the bears are thick out here. I've never really hunted the peninsula because they don't allow hunting with rifles, but for an archery guy I would think it could be some great hunting.
SkookumHntr....that's exactly right. Pre-season scouting doesn't seem to count for much around here. Put one to bed the night before the opener and hope he's still there in the morning. Then, start over as most of the elk are scattered to hell.
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Yeah the elk are scattered! I have hunted from jims spread on chinook valley golter, clear to bear rvr and nothin but scattered pockets of elf. They dont heard up like other places I have hunted.
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I've been wanting to try archery hunting elk down in the Naselle area for a while. Any idea on where to start? Particularly to get away from the roads and clear cuts? I love hiking around in the woods. Are there any good hiking trailers, or forested areas that don't come too close to the roads? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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the entire bear rvr ridge is great!
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So how exactly do I get here? Anyone have any road names/GPS coordinates or anything that could help me a bit? Thanks.
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So I've been studying maps and such and I have located Bear River Ridge. But what are the best ways to hunt it? Are you mostly driving roads and glassing, or are you doing more hiking. It looks to me that if you come off of 401 near Frankfort, there is a pretty large area of the ridge with no marked roads at least. But is that the best place to hunt it? Are is there enough room between roads in some of the more heavily "roaded" areas that you can still hike around and find the elk? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!
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I've never actually hunted there so I could be wrong, but nearly all of that is private land and the gates remain closed year around. So plan on doing a little hiking to get in there. That's about all I can tell ya.
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shanevg, you are going to have to plan on spending a few weekends driving down to a new area with maps, parking your car and hiking behind a bunch of gates to figure out the area. Unless someone is going to drive you down there and show you where to go, this is going to be the best way to figure the area out for yourself.
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hey entire area is wrapped in hwy, the north side of the bear rvr has privateland on it but you can hike into the entire unite. Dense and tough but once you figure out the elk not bad hunting. I dont thinkk its as good as the st helens herd but not bad for "a quick hunt" becuase I live here!
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Thanks for the help everyone.
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I plan on hunting this unit (681) and need to find a good place for base camp. I am looking for a place at or near a gate that will provide access to road system for us to hike in. we are not slobs and treat the area/animals with respect and leave our camp cleaner than we find it.
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this is an interesting thread.
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I agree. Great thread...
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Hey CJ-5, bowhunting down there sucks man Rifle hunting is where its at I'd stay far away from there during bow season! ;)
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I am there, never hunted it before but because of this thread i will be there with all of my friends... :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
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I have hunted there several years and have to say that it is not a slam dunk, every time I get done I tell myself "I'll never do that again" If you do show up be sure to bring your bug dope and tick repellent along with antibiotics, that place is brutal !!
And I agree, Rifle season is a zoo down there, and I think half of the hunters are from the city and don't have any idea how to hunt but go there because they "Heard" it was a good place to go !! :twocents:
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I plan on hunting this unit (681) and need to find a good place for base camp. I am looking for a place at or near a gate that will provide access to road system for us to hike in. we are not slobs and treat the area/animals with respect and leave our camp cleaner than we find it.
-- you cant camp at any of the gates, on the williams creek side you can but pretty much no camping on the br side. You can try but dont be surprised to have a ticket in the mail.
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Is there any place that allows camping? Or is there any open road into area that has places to camp? you cannot tell me all those rifle hunters stay in motels or drive down for day hunts. I am committed to the unit so I will find one somewhere, I will be scouting several times throughout the summer and only live about an hour away. I also would prefer to avoid taking somebody elses spot so if you have one you might PM me so I dont take the one you have been using for years, that would suck! I have every intention of being decent and considerate, but if I dont know any better you cannot blame me.
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--- seriosly dude, there is pretty much zero camping on this unit unless you camp in chinook or naselle. No roads you can drive down or anything. Maybe around deep river. Not trying to discourage you but you will have better luck camping on weyerhauser property more north in williams creek. :twocents:
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--- seriosly dude, there is pretty much zero camping on this unit unless you camp in chinook or naselle. No roads you can drive down or anything. Maybe around deep river. Not trying to discourage you but you will have better luck camping on weyerhauser property more north in williams creek. :twocents:
Weyerhauser DOES NOT allow camping of any kind on their property. No fires, no over night stays, etc..... They will write you a tresspassing ticket if caught.
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I will find a spot, so I hope I dont move in on someone elses' :cmp1: even a safe place to park our rigs and pack a camp in. This place sounds better all the time with the degree of difficulty involved....
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What if I paid the tresspassing ticket up front?? LOL
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actually I have located 3 parcels of state land inside unit that look promising, one near Elkhorn Creek, another one up Bear River Ridge Road and the SE corner of T10-0N R10-0W, The only problem is access. If I go in on foot and set up camp on State Land I am perfectly within my rights. I just need a safe place to park my rig.
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--- seriosly dude, there is pretty much zero camping on this unit unless you camp in chinook or naselle. No roads you can drive down or anything. Maybe around deep river. Not trying to discourage you but you will have better luck camping on weyerhauser property more north in williams creek. :twocents:
Weyerhauser DOES NOT allow camping of any kind on their property. No fires, no over night stays, etc..... They will write you a tresspassing ticket if caught.
Ya I know that too but people still do and get away with it but in the bear river you pretty much wont be getting away with it! Good luck though!
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Need a key???
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We need to quit talkin bear river.. Talk about Randle or something.. We dont need more traffic in their.. :twocents:
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O.K. I was out by Tono scouting for turkeys and met a landowner who was pissed about the elk wrecking his fences............
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yeah you should try the winston unit i hear there are a thousand head in that unit.
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Speaking of the Winston, I looked at the kill stats for 2006 (last available). It seems the Winston is the unit with the best success ratio in SW Washington. Of course it is combat hunting on the weekends...
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There are 0 elk in those units! You all need to head east of the cascades, the elk there will practically come up to you and eat from your hand :chuckle:
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One of the strange dilemma's we have had in our hunting group is back when there were a LOT more hunters in the unit we hunted the elk were running around all over the place, you just needed to find a good spot and sit still and they would find you. We complained about the number of hunters and wished we had the place to ourselves. Then the game dept. made it spike or cow, with 3pt buck only and hunter numbers decreased. Then we had to work to find the elk. That did not bother me, but quite a few other guys in our camp and others complained thinking that there were not as many elk. The point I am trying to make is that in units like the Winston, Harvest is high because you are essentially involved in a large drive. I prefer to hunt undisturbed animals that I have to go look for because I like the hunt. It is not about just putting meat on the ground to me, It is about the experience.
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One of the strange dilemma's we have had in our hunting group is back when there were a LOT more hunters in the unit we hunted the elk were running around all over the place, you just needed to find a good spot and sit still and they would find you. We complained about the number of hunters and wished we had the place to ourselves. Then the game dept. made it spike or cow, with 3pt buck only and hunter numbers decreased. Then we had to work to find the elk. That did not bother me, but quite a few other guys in our camp and others complained thinking that there were not as many elk. The point I am trying to make is that in units like the Winston, Harvest is high because you are essentially involved in a large drive. I prefer to hunt undisturbed animals that I have to go look for because I like the hunt. It is not about just putting meat on the ground to me, It is about the experience.
--If your looking for a nice hunting experience, 681 probably wouldnt be it. Like I think your going to find out there is no camping at all and the unit is basically just a thick brushy $hithole. You will be driving by some way better hunting on your way down here, like Grays river area, KM mountain for instance. :twocents: :twocents:
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--- seriosly dude, there is pretty much zero camping on this unit unless you camp in chinook or naselle. No roads you can drive down or anything. Maybe around deep river. Not trying to discourage you but you will have better luck camping on weyerhauser property more north in williams creek. :twocents:
Weyerhauser DOES NOT allow camping of any kind on their property. No fires, no over night stays, etc..... They will write you a tresspassing ticket if caught.
Actually Weyerhauser allows some camping in certain areas. I am not sure if they do around there but around Doty they allow camping on their property. Check their hotline for more info.
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Better hunting is a matter of opinion, I know there is easier hunting nearer to my home in Adna, but I am looking for a quality hunt. As in work my A$$ off for a reasonable chance at a decent bull :archer: with an even higher chance for a phat cow, possibly get a decent deer but most likely stick a doe. And not run into a bunch of :4w: motorheads on quads and motorcycles and 4X4's out roadhunting. I want to be away from the crowds and spend some quiet time in the woods. With all the negative input about this area I expect to have an excellent trip. I have talked to biologist and warden and a couple locals and there is more to offer me (in this unit) than one of the more popular units. I am not afraid of a hard hunt. I spent 2 weeks last year passing up opportunities at cows and smaller bulls trying to score on a 6X7 in the Manastash and am tired of other hunters pushing animals into the next drainage and messing up my hunt. I want to be in an area with less than 300 hunters. And the thicker the better, The more difficult the better, If I dont lose 10-15lbs during season and not drag myself into camp after dark every night I am not having fun!! I wake up tired and sore and enjoy hiking a mile or 2 in the dark just to wake/loosen up. I hunt with a 70# recurve and cedar arrows so I need to get close, and I prefer not to chase elk that have been bumped and called to by a bunch of guys starting in august :stup: So anyhow I AM hunting this Unit come next September and I will have a GREAT time ....even if I gotta kill something !!
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:dunno: Well it looks like we cant talk Stinkpickle out of it... :chuckle:!! Good luck, you better have some help if ya knock one down in their cause it isnt easy!! Its a steep country.. And it is really hot, so soon as you kill one the race against the heat is on.. So consider that too if you hunt the unit.. Its no joke!! 89 degree weather-90...
:hello: Hey Skuckumhntr!!
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When you are used to East-side temperatures and 3000ft-6000ft+ elevation, these little 1400ft shaded hills with so much growth there isn't any openings wont be near the hassle. I expect to need help just getting over all the brush, but at least I will find shade. Hey maybe I will let the skeeters pack it out for me,...Stinkpickle ???
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And I agree, Rifle season is a zoo down there,
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10123/rotfl1.gif)
Where isn't it a zoo during modern elk?
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Stinkpickle :chuckle: Nice man :chuckle:
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--- seriosly dude, there is pretty much zero camping on this unit unless you camp in chinook or naselle. No roads you can drive down or anything. Maybe around deep river. Not trying to discourage you but you will have better luck camping on weyerhauser property more north in williams creek. :twocents:
Weyerhauser DOES NOT allow camping of any kind on their property. No fires, no over night stays, etc..... They will write you a tresspassing ticket if caught.
Actually Weyerhauser allows some camping in certain areas. I am not sure if they do around there but around Doty they allow camping on their property. Check their hotline for more info.
Maybe there around Doty, but around the St. Helens Tree Farm, none, zip, nadda, nein, well you get the idea...
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wow people are getting spun up over 681! Well I dont care anyways because I will bein the thickest worst crap hole of it all! I say for all you new people stick to within a mi. of the hwy! You get good chances at swamp bulls! No s#it! If you venture out you better have 4 really good friends to help you pack out your elk. My deer took all day! Or you better have 2000' of crab line.... This is a no joke area, great back country training grounds.....Its not huge, but can been steep, loud as hell in september, and very difficult to find calling bulls. there either on or off here. "all pocket heards" 5-10 is typical, but there are a few groups of 10-15 cows and a bull with spike's. n some few scattered bulls around......we dont get alot of new loggin here so this years it already got a foot taller and a *censored* ton thicker, we need a fire to burn out or under growth....
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Pretty weird huh? I don't know what caused all the excitement (or what started the name calling) but I will be there. I got some good info from DNR and Washington Wildlife Research Coalition. I hope it is as big a pain in the a*# as you say! I still question the stats......12-15% with an average 4:5 bull to cow harvest. Sounds like a great chance to pack some meat!!
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Hey guys, I have a feeling the change to 3pt or antlerless for 681 :( will bring a few more hunters to our area. I was sad to see this early season change. What do you guys think?
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Hey guys, I have a feeling the change to 3pt or antlerless for 681 :( will bring a few more hunters to our area. I was sad to see this early season change. What do you guys think?
its F*CKED.. Its going to bring in a lot of un wanted pressure and people thats for sure.. Have fun Stinkpickle!!! Are little jewl of 681 is going to be a zoo it sounds like to me.. Oh well, I gurantee the people who no how to hunt it will be fine..
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Hey guys, I have a feeling the change to 3pt or antlerless for 681 :( will bring a few more hunters to our area. I was sad to see this early season change. What do you guys think?
its F*CKED.. Its going to bring in a lot of un wanted pressure and people thats for sure.. Have fun Stinkpickle!!! Are little jewl of 681 is going to be a zoo it sounds like to me.. Oh well, I gurantee the people who no how to hunt it will be fine..
I am really disappointed in the lack of sportsmanship on this topic. I first inquired about unit last Sept. BEFORE any changes to legal harvest, that was not my reason to hunt here. I have done my own reasearch and if I end up camping in your spot that is not because I did not ask. HEADSHOT is the only one that seems to be a decent guy that would be welcome in my camp. The rest of you with your selfishness and namecalling act like a bunch of babies. I asked about unit in order to get information so I wouldn't be stepping on someone elses spot and you see what kind of response I got. Hunters like that is the reason it might be F*CKED having more in the unit. I am a responsible,ethical,considerate sportsman. I am friendly and willing to help a guy out whether I know him or not. I dont litter and I back off if I see another hunter ahead of me or working an animal.The unit is large enough to have a place for everyone, and as thick as it is, you shouldn't have a problem with more hunters if you get out of your truck and away from the road.
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>:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
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Hey guys, I have a feeling the change to 3pt or antlerless for 681 :( will bring a few more hunters to our area. I was sad to see this early season change. What do you guys think?
its F*CKED.. Its going to bring in a lot of un wanted pressure and people thats for sure.. Have fun Stinkpickle!!! Are little jewl of 681 is going to be a zoo it sounds like to me.. Oh well, I gurantee the people who no how to hunt it will be fine..
I am really disappointed in the lack of sportsmanship on this topic. I first inquired about unit last Sept. BEFORE any changes to legal harvest, that was not my reason to hunt here. I have done my own reasearch and if I end up camping in your spot that is not because I did not ask. HEADSHOT is the only one that seems to be a decent guy that would be welcome in my camp. The rest of you with your selfishness and namecalling act like a bunch of babies. I asked about unit in order to get information so I wouldn't be stepping on someone elses spot and you see what kind of response I got. Hunters like that is the reason it might be F*CKED having more in the unit. I am a responsible,ethical,considerate sportsman. I am friendly and willing to help a guy out whether I know him or not. I dont litter and I back off if I see another hunter ahead of me or working an animal.The unit is large enough to have a place for everyone, and as thick as it is, you shouldn't have a problem with more hunters if you get out of your truck and away from the road.
RELAX Stiknkinstring, I think were more just frustrated due to the change of the regulations of the unit in the early season due to it not being just a bull unit now.. Nothing against you, i just think i can speak for all of us who hunt this unit for years and can say that were not happy with the change of not being just a bull unit.. cause the change is going to bring a lot more traffic..And taking camp spots is not going to be a issue, cause if you dont have private to camp on than your not camping cause their isnt any access to camp with it being all private.. So dont take critism the wrong way if you have done your home work than good luck, but like another post stated if you go deep and get one way back in make sure you have a crew of people to help pack cause that is critical.. Good Luck..
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Hey Stiknstringbow, my post was in no way a slam on you. I'm real sorry you took it that way man. I've been hunting 681 for many years, see lots of bulls, & very, very few hunters, at least in my areas. I've always felt the lack of crowds was a reflection of the bull only reg. Once again sorry about the misunderstanding.
