Rossie's Stink!

ORsouthpaw · 09-17-2007, 09:05 AM

We'll I have spent 3 weekends in the Wilson Unit and am going to end up eating my Elk tag.

Weekend One: Got into a lot of sign, cow called and got what sounded like a small bull to chuckle back but never came in.

Weekend Two: No elk just lots of elk sign. Saw a doe and fawn and that's it.

Weekend Three: 1/2 hour into our morning hunt we found ourselves between two bulls. One would bugle the other would answer. We moved to a spot where we could have some shooting lanes, which are rare in the coast range and began cow calling. Both bulls would answer but never came in. We decided to move up a little on the closest one and he decied to move off. We backed out and moved locations. 20 minutes away from the truck we jumped a bull and proceeded to track him for the next 4 hours. He never made a sound. We ended up sneeking into a nice bedroom where at least 3 elk had bedded down. It still had fresh sign, fresh enough that it was still steaming. We did find a lot of rubs but that was all. Anyway after a few more hours, no elk.

If anyone has any pointers on hunting the Wilson or Rossie's in general I would appreciate any advice for next season. Good Luck to you guys still going out!

Archer1000 · 09-17-2007, 10:56 AM

I've been up there quite alot as well. You've had better luck than I have so far. LOL I'm off work all week, so I'll be up there faithfully every morning till dark, until I'm satisfied. Last week for the Wilson/Trask.. Get 'er done everyone!!

ORsouthpaw · 09-17-2007, 11:46 AM

Archer1000, Good Luck down there! Here's one rub that we found up high. I had to have my buddy stand next to it to get some perspective. All I can say is that there must be some big boys running around down there somewhere. Wished we could have got a look at the guy responsible for this!

stick flicker · 09-17-2007, 11:56 AM

The wind direction and speed are such a huge factor. Sometimes the day is so windy you can't get close to them. Stick it out and look for a day thats calm, then get in close.

kodiakfisher · 09-17-2007, 01:17 PM

I have started scounting places and taking a note on what direction the wind will need to be from in order to have a chance at hunting it.

I had been waiting for a southwest/south wind and have time to hunt an area in the Wilson. The very first time hunting it we had a bull bugle made the sneak but he made a better sneak to get away up canyon. The walk in is easy but the wind will bust you long before you get close unless its out of the south.

It seems to me that the Rosies are bedding in areas with predominant winds at their backs and good visability down wind. I have started to think like a military person out on recon missions. Don't walk the easy terrain because the Rosies have you covered easier said than done. Take the hardest route to get the wind in your favor and you may just have a chance.

Kodiakfisher

Archer1000 · 09-17-2007, 01:25 PM

Good thinking KF. And thanks for the pics Southpaw. I have to hit it hard this week. Once again, you have pics that I haven't seen yet either. I must be in the wrong area.. Found a really good area up Jordan Cr. yesterday.. Can't wait to get back in there in the morning.

ehunter · 09-17-2007, 02:33 PM

Kodiak if you get the wind figured out let me know because where we are hunting it swirls a lot. You have a little steadier wind in the morning until the thermals heat. The wind cost us at least 2 bulls this weekend maybe 3. Good luck we are all feeling the frustration and the pressure of the last weekend and not enough days off to make it worth while gr!!!

ORsouthpaw · 09-17-2007, 02:59 PM

The day that we had the most luck (Friday) it was almost dead calm so I believe your right about swirling winds playing such a huge part. One area was really strange because in weekend past the wind was blowing up and then all of sudden Sunday it changed mid-way on our hike and ended up blowing down the hill which pretty much ruined a great spot. You gotta love this game though!