Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Griz231 on August 25, 2011, 03:12:49 PM

Title: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: Griz231 on August 25, 2011, 03:12:49 PM: Hey guys and gals,
I"m getting back into archery after a 8 year rifle absence and I was mostly hunting Naches and a little bit of Quartz mountain.
My question is, how are the local herds in September around the Frost Mtn area? I've scouted a couple times this year and looks like a great area but didn't see anything.
Heading over again this weekend to hopefully run into some Elk. I know the roads are all washed out, so access is limited.

Not looking for specific areas, I can figure that out, but just curious how the populations are this time of year.

Do they tend to start bugling around the 1st of Sept?

Thanks for any info. Happy Hunting!
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: gasman on August 25, 2011, 05:42:21 PM: Probably going to have plrnty of company up there so when the pressure is on, hit the dark timber between the Quartz Mt road and Manashtash ridge (North Slope).

You will probably hearh tem becoming more vacal the second week of the season.

Good luck :hello:
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: stickbuck on August 25, 2011, 10:26:49 PM: Good luck with getting around up there. As you may have seen on here over the past few weeks and months, the Manastash is completely tore up and it will be tough getting around because of the flooding in May. Make sure you call the Forest Service or at least visit their website to get a blow by blow of all the roads closed to motor vehicle access. That is the one reason why we are heading to the northeast for elk this year. Good luck with that tag!!!
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: Griz231 on August 26, 2011, 07:50:49 AM: Thanks guys. Im heading up there today for the weekend. Hopefully it's not to busy up there durng season. I'm going to be there the whole season since I drew the bull tag.

I'm bringing the mountain bike and Not afraid of hiking in. We'll get er done.
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: colockumelk on August 26, 2011, 08:04:44 AM: 342 Umtanum does not have a general archery season so you shouldn't have too much competition. Since GMU 340 gets alot of pressure and GMU 346 gets alot of hunting pressure you should have some animals pushed into GMU 342. Also I think most of the roads in that area are open so you shouldn't really need the mountain bike. Good luck you should do well.
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: Griz231 on August 26, 2011, 08:43:54 AM: I gotta get down to 342 and check it out. Never really been down there much.
Do you come in from Wenas side or can u get thru on taneum?
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 26, 2011, 09:16:23 AM: Get down under Frost a decent ways leading down to the south fork of Taneum ck and you can do a fairly good job of distancing yourself from others.
If you can get anywhere near it to do the hike, that is.
Not sure if you can get here either, but hiking up from South Fork Meadows might be an option too.
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: coachcw on August 26, 2011, 09:49:16 AM: never over look the desert !
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on August 26, 2011, 10:12:52 AM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 26, 2011, 09:16:23 AM
Get down under Frost a decent ways leading down to the south fork of Taneum ck and you can do a fairly good job of distancing yourself from others.
If you can get anywhere near it to do the hike, that is.
Not sure if you can get here either, but hiking up from South Fork Meadows might be an option too.
If you dump down over the top of Frost Mountain, and follow trail, you come out SF Meadows Trail, but I usually run into Elk on top, then they head into the drainage under Taneum Lake.
that is a hole! nearest trail is Peaches Ridge, connects to SF Meadows in bottom, long pack out.
Dont overlook the Hoyt Mining trail. :twocents:
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: 6x6in6 on August 26, 2011, 11:45:39 AM: I have ridden by horseback down that Frost trail to SFM, up the creek to Peaches, under Quartz and back. Neat country down in there.
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: colockumelk on August 26, 2011, 06:36:54 PM: Quote from: Griz231 on August 26, 2011, 08:43:54 AM
I gotta get down to 342 and check it out. Never really been down there much.
Do you come in from Wenas side or can u get thru on taneum?

I would come in from the wenas side or highway 410.
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on August 26, 2011, 08:06:00 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on August 26, 2011, 11:45:39 AM
I have ridden by horseback down that Frost trail to SFM, up the creek to Peaches, under Quartz and back. Neat country down in there.
I forgot to bring a horse !
Title: Re: GMU 340 and 342 Archery Bull Tag
Post by: Griz231 on August 29, 2011, 10:19:03 AM: Thanks for the feedback everyone:

Well, the weekend was a success!! We found plenty of Elk; they were all over the place. We had found one bull bugling already and the cows were talking up a storm.

Ran into a Black Bear and just about had a shot, he was hauling ass thru the trees.

There are still some washed out roads, so access is pretty limited. There are ways around it like Joe Watt canyon Rd, which is a rough SOB.

Can't wait for the season, I'm heading up Friday night for the two weeks unless I get my bull sooner.