Yew better listen to the TreeKiller.
tip #2, go to ifish.net hunting section, use the search function and read our posts. I have had the tag twice including last year, TreeKiller has been in there two or three times at a minimum.
For helpful information, I would go early. That is a small unit. The Elk have a real aversion to bugling hunters and last year, the last week sucked. Same as it did the first time I had that tag.
I had come directly from NM where on the 1st day there (sept. 10) I pulled in 1/4 mile off the hwy to a spot I had never been before, opened the door, and heard 5 bulls bugle before I got to the tailgate. I walked maybe 1/2 mile up another draw, stopped and counted 12 different bulls bugling.
TreeKiller emailed me and told me to get up here but by the time I got up the Elk had already had enough of the people.
Don't expect to see any of the bigger bulls in the summer, in fact, don't expect to see much of the bigger bulls during the rut. Maybe a leg, an antler, hear his gut rumbling at close distance.
When BHUNTN and I had the tags in 2004 the bulls were bugling from Labor Day on. But the biggest bulls didn't start showing up until about the 15th or so, then the rain, wind, and fog kind of shut things down including us. The final week of the season though was an absolute frenzy with bulls coming from anywhere and everywhere in search of the few cow's in the country.
Guess it's like anything else, timing and location make all the difference in the world.
The last two weeks were amazing. We saw an average of 5 branched bulls per day, and had several 4 to 6 bull bugling episodes. It's brushy like the Wenaha so you got a get in there and root em out. If you know how to call you'll do fine!
The largest bull we harvested is getting scored by Gail Martin in Walla Walla this week I think it should gross score over 330.
Good Luck
I love that damn yew jungle! Wish there were a few more spikes around to make it worthwhile to pack my bow.
His dad had the Mill Creek Watershed tag last year and they didn't see anything over 300 in the 'shed, but they drove out into the WW one day and saw a decent bull bedded below the road. See the pic above.
