Tucannon Rifle elk

[bolsen]

Somehow I got lucky once again! Used up all of my bull points last year, and now all of my quality points are gone! I drew the tucannon oct 21 hunt and I’m pumped!
Should I go with a drop camp though? You guys think that is the best way to hunt this unit? Or just day hunt and spike out for a night or two at a time?
I’m hoping to beat the bull I killed last year, might be tough to do though 😬 thanks for any help and advice! Really appreciate it! I’ll attach a pic of last years bull.

[Karl Blanchard]

Congrats man! Wish I knew something about the unit so I could help you out.

[Ridgerunner]

A drawback to the drop camp is you are stuck in a smaller area.  I know a guy that did one on the same tag a few years ago and he wished he hadn't done a drop camp. 

[jackelope]

Do you have backpacking gear?
If you do, and you're comfortable in that regard, I'd do that. If not, I'd get a hold of mtncook on here and talk to him about a drop camp. You're limited to a smaller area, but he'll put you in a good area and you won't be next to the road. You can still cover ground from your drop camp as you would if you were hunting from the truck daily. Plus that's a really cool experience. The quintessential western hunting experience. That's a bonus for  me. Your mileage may vary.

[Limhangerslayer]

Definitely day hunt or spike out over night

[blackveltbowhunter]

Congratz on the draw!! Great bull also! I have often thought the same as you If I ever drew a blues tag I would do the outfitter thing and live the life for the duration of the season. However, I have spent some time in that unit (not a pro by any means) and IMO it would limit me and be the exception. There are few areas where horses are going to be big benefit (camp wise) compared to the Wenaha. And given the animals I saw within a day hunt from the main access roads I would not want to overlook those areas. Good backpacking gear and experience and you will have a great time in this unit. You could check into meat pack service because if done right that would make a great hunt even better, but my experience with that have been hit and miss. More missing than hitting unless you have personal contacts.

Again congrats on the draw! Good luck

[dvolmer]

Congrats bolsen!  I will be just over the hill from you hunting big bulls in Dayton with a rifle.  I had the tag 13 years ago and I liked the ability of being able travel around the entire area and hunt different spots.  It worked good for us 13 years ago and I hope it will work good for me again this year!

By the way, what unit did you kill your bull in last year?  Great bull!

[bolsen]

Thank you all for the replies and the good info!! Sounds like the general consensus is to day hunt and spike in! So that’s what I’m going to plan on doing. Can’t wait to get over there to start scouting!
Good luck in Dayton dvolmer! You’ll kill a giant!

[Branden]

I hunted it before. I wouldn’t do a drop camp personally. I would try to stay mobile and have a car camp and have a lightweight camp ready to backpack if necessary.   

[dvolmer]

Thank you all for the replies and the good info!! Sounds like the general consensus is to day hunt and spike in! So that’s what I’m going to plan on doing. Can’t wait to get over there to start scouting!
Good luck in Dayton dvolmer! You’ll kill a giant!

Just a little bit of a tip that I found out last time we had these tags and when I have helped others on this hunt.  Scouting now is a good thing to see the lay of the land and access points.  But, actually scouting for the elk will sort of be a waste of time right now.  When our seasons start the elk are in the post rut mode.  The places the elk are now is not going to be where they will be during our season.  They will be in different spots during the rut and then the bulls during the season will be by themselves or in small groups of two's and three's.  Some rag horns might still be with the cows but the big boys will have pulled off and be by themselves.  The best scouting is the two or three days before the opener. 

[dupedc]

Congratulations on a great tag! No doubt we’ll all be rooting for you and following your story! Beau Olson of Wilderness Expeditions LLC does an outstanding job and works really hard for his clients. He would be a great resource for you as well, either drop camp or guided hunt. Best of luck to you and enjoy the whole process!


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[emac]

I dont think beau does the tucannon, i might be wrong though.

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[emac]

Nevermind i miss spoke he does i thought he did east wenha and mountain view but i looked and he does tucannon and east wenha

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[Mtnwalker]

Nevermind i miss spoke he does i thought he did east wenha and mountain view but i looked and he does tucannon and east wenha

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Where did you look? I thought you were right the first time

[gotcha]

I'm here to tell you. I would do a drop camp and enjoy the hunt. Have someone pack it out for you. I've spent more time in those 4 units than most the last 4 yrs and would pay the money. You have waited 21 yrs. Enjoy the hunt and experience the backcountry. You will not regret it.

[jackelope]

Nevermind i miss spoke he does i thought he did east wenha and mountain view but i looked and he does tucannon and east wenha

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Where did you look? I thought you were right the first time

I thought the same.

[gotcha]

Beau does do part of unit to bear wallow area. Dave does rest of unit west.

[nwhunter]

Yep both outfitters share part of the Tucannon and boundary is at Bear Wallow.. If you go with an outfitter/guide stick with the USF permitted ones. Theres only two...

[emac]

Nevermind i miss spoke he does i thought he did east wenha and mountain view but i looked and he does tucannon and east wenha

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Where did you look? I thought you were right the first time

I thought the same.

Found it on his fb page.  Since i know both of them if you do decide to do a drop camp you cant go wrong with either

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[Huntin]

Western Life Outfitters, Mtncook on here would have my deposit on its way. Drop camp in correct location will allow you to use legs and energy covering country. Been on three tag hunts in Mtncook’s area since 2012, first without drop camp and last two with drop camp. Hunting in the “Blues” takes grit and no better feeling to hit base camp every 3-4 days to refuel vs. hiking in and out. Lastly, if all things come together and success has been accomplished, there is no better sound then Mtncook’s pack string arriving to take over the heavy loads!