NE Washington

[Backstrap]

My Dad and I are going to try the muzzleloading elk season in Unit 111/113 near Ione. We were thinking of the Smackout Pass area and around Sullivan Lake. Does anybody have any words of wisdom regarding that area? Any road closures, hillbillies, ATV news, monster camps etc?? Any thing that might prove useful would be appreciated!

 

[boneaddict]

The elk don't exactly grow on trees in that area. You are in the right section. I bugled in two last year just east of Smackout. You will see several large camps, but they do more drinking than hunting. Take your bear tag along, there are lots of them. Hope that helps.

 

[Hornseeker]

Definitely keep clear of the little shanty towns too, you dont want to be squeling like a pig.

Like bone says, the elk are few and far between, but they are there. From Ione on the east side of the river, south for 10 miles or so, always holds some, but they are there one week, gone the next, at least for me.

I hunted the entire rifle season there in 94 and didn't see a critter. Saw them all the time in September though! I think there are more there now too.

Good luck

 

[boneaddict]

Squeeling like a pig is right. Thats where those two guys took the one guy out, tied him to a tree naked in decmeber, and laid bacon all around him so that a bear would eat him. I really don't think bears were his biggest problem in December. By the way, the guy untied himself and made it out alive. True story.