Mill Cr. watershed tag. - Wa.

Outwest · Mar 21, 2007

Anyone here ever hunt the Mill Creek waterhed in Wa.?
I am thinking of putting in for it this year. I have 11 points and would think that I might have a chance of drawing.
I have been in the watershed on the Oregon side several years ago and know that it is very steep.
What is the Wa. side like? How big of a bull would a guy have a chance at?
Does anyone know of any packers in the area that would pack an animal out?
I'm just trying to figure out a few things to see if I should burn my points on this unit.

Thanks.

John

sjhgraysage · Mar 22, 2007

Its STEEP, its THICK in places,
The real issues with that hunt in my opinion are the rules that you are supposed to abide by if you draw, like in and out every day, no over nights in the unit, you can't scout it because you can't go in before opening day, so all you can do is glass from the edges. That being said there are good bulls in there, but there are bulls just as big in the other areas of the "blues"
I had that tag in 1987, but that year they gave out I think 140 permits, it was a little crowded, I did not kill an elk, but not because they weren't there. Good Luck

WAHuntNut · Mar 22, 2007

I got drawn just last year.....will never/ever put in for that tag again. I had mules, the full week off, in shape.....the whole 9 yards. To say it's steep is a true understatement, then you put 3-4" of snow on the slopes and you better hold on for dear life. Can you kill a good bull if you do your homework, work your arse off, & get lucky with the weather? Yes, no doubt about it! There are some ripper big bulls in that unit!

I would do your research and talk to as many people as possible who have hunted that country before. The main issue is their B.S. laws, in my opinion its unsafe (I have a story to go along with that statement!). All I'm trying to get across is it's a good hunt, you will see elk, but it's brutal. The elevation is high and you are flurting w/constant snow storms that may blow you off the mountain at that time of year. I could go on and on about my experience last year but if you want details shoot me over a PM. Be aware, the WA side is steeper than the Oregon side.....however there are ways into that unit that will help with the elevation.

JB48 · Mar 22, 2007

I hunted the Oregon side in 04. I was in the best shape of my life. I had just come back from a DIY sheep hunt in the Frank Church in Idaho. In 8 days I put 96 miles on looking for sheep. Now back to Mill creek. I thought it would be a cake walk. As it has been said it is steep, mix in a little snow and it is plain tough. My brother killed a 315 320 bull last year on the Oregon side. Day two he hurt his knee, another tag holder, a friend,and I packed the bull out, seperate days of couse. The weather the rut and fires will all play into where those elk are, I think this is more so for the Washington side than the Oregon side.The best bull I saw on both sides last year was in the 340 -360 range.

Outwest · Mar 24, 2007

Hey men thanks for the info.
If I can find a packer that would pack an animal out for me I think I will see if I can draw the tag.
When I was in the Or. side in the late 70's I went in from the very top. Does anyone know if there is any access from a lower elevation where a guy could hunt up hill or side hill and and back pack meat out the bottom.
At 55 years young I don't think I could pack an elk two miles up out of there anymore.

Thanks

John

Muleyslyr · Mar 25, 2007

11 pts.....what unit(s) have you been trying to draw? I thought I was bad with 7 points.

Outwest · Mar 25, 2007

Muleyslyr

I've been putting in for the Margarate unit. (Mt. St. Helens)
I now realize that I will never draw that unit and it is time to go on a good hunt before to many years go by.

John

elkslam · Mar 25, 2007

No Outfitters in there that I know of. My buddy killed a 360 bull on the oregon side 2 years ago. His brother said most of the bulls that he spotted were on the washington side of the unit. So who knows I won't put in just because you are so restricted on what you can do.

WAHuntNut · Mar 26, 2007

You won't find many packers in that unit simply because the laws outline that there is no commercial / business activity allowed in that unit (no outfitters). Again, as I stated before the laws are crazy. I would highly recommend you getting a detailed description of what is / is not allowed in the Watershed before ever applying for that tag.

sjhgraysage · Mar 26, 2007

There is access in from the bottom along the creek I've heard, but we came in top. There maybe a packer or two operating in the Blues but none that I know of near that unit. IMHO If I had that many points I'd be trying for a tag in a more accessible area, the bulls should be just as big and easier to get out if you get one. Good Luck whatever you decide.