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Don’t over look the Wenaha unit. Try to find a horse packer and do some weekend scout trips. Someone above mentioned hiring a guide. This is a tag of a life time might as well make the most out of it. You truly have a opportunity to kill a 400 inch bull. Wish you luck and congratulations Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats.I would take a hard look at the wenaha and walla walla. Mt Emily is the most huntable of the big three. But is on a downward trend for quality. The wenaha has the most cover for a bull to get a bit older.The 17 or 18 day rifle season that they changed to a while back has been real hard on trophy quality in those units.If you have not been in those units they are big deep canyons, and you will need a buddy or two help glass, and to be in great physical condition.
Quote from: go4steelhd on May 31, 2023, 06:27:53 PMCongrats.I would take a hard look at the wenaha and walla walla. Mt Emily is the most huntable of the big three. But is on a downward trend for quality. The wenaha has the most cover for a bull to get a bit older.The 17 or 18 day rifle season that they changed to a while back has been real hard on trophy quality in those units.If you have not been in those units they are big deep canyons, and you will need a buddy or two help glass, and to be in great physical condition.Thanks for the pointer! I think I'll start my scouting in the Wenaha. I've gone on the fat kid diet, and hoping to stave off a heart attack by August/September when I have to dive off the top. I have never been to any of the "big 3" units -- embarrassing I know! I have hunted some nasty country in Oregon and WA, so I at least have an idea that I'm going to be hosed if I dont get in shape. Perhaps someone could help me with some general knowledge. I've done a lot of elk hunting in WA, OR, and NM, but never in country like this. Are the cows really going to be hanging out in these nasty canyons during August/September? Grassy slopes and thick timbered bottoms that come nearly to a point in some spots. Seems like a place where the bulls might go for cover before/after the rut, but wouldn't the cows would stay on some of the "flatter" easier areas?? I'd like to go into some of the nasty remote areas to stay away from people, but wondering if more elk will be in the flatter areas where there are roads and lots of camps/spike hunters.
Quote from: cjensen on June 01, 2023, 08:24:28 AMQuote from: go4steelhd on May 31, 2023, 06:27:53 PMCongrats.I would take a hard look at the wenaha and walla walla. Mt Emily is the most huntable of the big three. But is on a downward trend for quality. The wenaha has the most cover for a bull to get a bit older.The 17 or 18 day rifle season that they changed to a while back has been real hard on trophy quality in those units.If you have not been in those units they are big deep canyons, and you will need a buddy or two help glass, and to be in great physical condition.Thanks for the pointer! I think I'll start my scouting in the Wenaha. I've gone on the fat kid diet, and hoping to stave off a heart attack by August/September when I have to dive off the top. I have never been to any of the "big 3" units -- embarrassing I know! I have hunted some nasty country in Oregon and WA, so I at least have an idea that I'm going to be hosed if I dont get in shape. Perhaps someone could help me with some general knowledge. I've done a lot of elk hunting in WA, OR, and NM, but never in country like this. Are the cows really going to be hanging out in these nasty canyons during August/September? Grassy slopes and thick timbered bottoms that come nearly to a point in some spots. Seems like a place where the bulls might go for cover before/after the rut, but wouldn't the cows would stay on some of the "flatter" easier areas?? I'd like to go into some of the nasty remote areas to stay away from people, but wondering if more elk will be in the flatter areas where there are roads and lots of camps/spike hunters.I can say from firsthand experience hunting different units in NE Oregon in September. I have seen cows hanging out and feeding in areas that look more conducive to where that goat you killed would be. They do want to find areas of less than 20 degrees of slope for bedding but when they are up moving, I haven't seen many areas besides sheer cliffs that cows won't hang out.
Are the cows really going to be hanging out in these nasty canyons during August/September?
If you aren’t good at field judging I’d start brushing up on that now. You have a tag with the potential to kill a world class bull. Congratulations and enjoy the ride.