Got my maps in the mail yesterday and drew the outline for Elk Area 2009. Probably will do ultralight hiking/camping for this hunt. Assume the elk will be in south edges. Any idea if is better to hunt early or late in the Sept 1-19 season?
I feel ready. I hike now with a 72# pack and comfortably cover 4 miles at 22-25 minutes per mile so figure can get the meat out in 3-4 trips in less than a 24 hour cycle should a bull step inside 50 yards for me. I have been shooting broadheads out to 60 yards with 10" or tighter groups even with a crosswind at times so am confident in my bow.
I will be hunting solo though am taking a satellite phone for the first time on a hunt and will send/check for texts each night. I am taking in a spotting scope/tripod but thought a bit about just taking binos. I got a small pack cover for the bow to protect the springs when hiking. The gear is set, weighed and ready to go.
Looking forward to some time in the woods. Has been 19 months since my last hunt but have 4 hunts this fall. The Wenaha hunt is the one that is most challenging so will be memorable!
Good luck everyone on your trips into the woods.
You have a great tag and opportunity for a good bull. Many hunters have dreamed of this hunt. How much scouting have you done? Unless you have been in that unit you are in for a surprise. You will struggle with a 70lb pack and your 22 minute miles will only work going downhill on a good trail which there are very few of. Then try the climb back uphill. All the access to the Washington side on Wenaha East is from the top, that means any meat packing you do will be uphill. Those big bulls do not spend time by the road. If the outfitter you mention is WLO he is a straight shooter and I have talked to him many times. With the number of tags increased the pressure should be greater, however it is a big unit and your starting the 15 will find some hunters on their way home. Hope to see some good results to your hunt.
Appreciate the info. I agree will be uphill over course of last 2 miles on way out to the North and speed will be slower. About 2500' of gain. I hiked Camelback in AZ as part of my training and actually make better time going up than down the steep stuff.
I put in for this hunt because it was a wilderness hunt. I have been on hunts were you bump into someone at top each ridge. I dislike the sound of ATVs and door slamming by road hunters. Hunting hard for 5 days is plenty for me to have a memorable time.
I will get flamed by some folks but I will not pass on a mature 300" bull when am hunting solo with my bow. Hit 40s over there last week for one night. Could be epic.
Yep, WLO is straight shooter. Wish Dave could operate border to border. The NW commercial zone for WLO is rather small and a request for exception stalled with the Forest Service. There was also a chance he needed to leave before sundown on 19th.
Appreciate the feedback.
TreeWalker
