Snake River Rifle 2nd Bull Season

live_two_hunt · Feb 24, 2012

Looking into drawing this hunt this year. Seeing if anyone was interested in sharing some general info about the unit. I was an Oregon resident up til December, when my job relocated me to California.... Anyways, I am sitting on 6 PP's for elk that I would like to use, and thinking of a SR 2nd season bull tag....

I am fully aware of the physical demands of this unit, as I plan to go in on foot and bivy however far necessary. I have done plenty of back country hunts 10+ miles in and thousands vertical feet with all my gear on my back.... and I know that this could be much more difficult than any of the others I have been on. There's just something about that country that I am infatuated with.... and then the part that I am a glutton for punishment!

My questions are:

Typical weather for this time of year? I expect there to be a high possibility of snow, but how much on a typical year? What are my odds of unexpectedly waking up to 4 feet of snow one morning?

Any general areas to stay away from? I don't really want to pack 10 miles into an area and find that it is the most popular spot for people set up in their drop camps or guided hunts.... (no offense to any packers or guides out there)

Any general areas that you would recommend researching? South, Middle, North end of the unit? I don't expect anyone to give up any honey holes, but if you want to point me in a direction worth researching I would appreciate it.

Anything else that you would like to share?

Feel free to PM me

Thanks!

Califelkslayer · Feb 25, 2012

live2, hope you get some good info. Since I have stock, I've been intrigued by the Snake for years. And before I brought the family along, I always thought I'd do a solo archery hunt to learn the country, quantity and quality first. But with other hunts, I never seemed to bring myself to do that.....Yet.

Now I'm concerned that wolves have made a good unit, sub-standard.

Good luck on your research.

kickerbuck · Feb 25, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-25-12 AT 10:33PM (MST)[p]Live2, I know some guys that have hunted it in the past and done ok, but they had stock. I don't know anything about the area as far as where to go, but I wouldn't recommend a bivy hunt that time of year. Nov 3-11 is just to risky solo IMO. Some guys may laugh at me for that one but oh well.

As far as the wolves I think you are right, the unit will go down hill as they continue to come over from the Idaho side. I would suggest a drop camp with a wall tent. Most outfitters will want you to have a friend with you rather than take you solo though.

good Luck!

tchoate3 · Feb 25, 2012

I would have to agree that a bivy hunt that time of year would be a risky idea. I have hunted the Chesnimnus unit, which is similar to the Snake, at that time of year and weather can turn ugly fast! It can be blue sky t-shirt weather one minute and turn to snow the next. You need a good base camp with a place to dry out if needed IMO.

lostinOregon · Feb 26, 2012

Go with a light weight 3 season tent, no bivy at that time of year.

Rich

robinsg61le · Feb 26, 2012

I fourth that. I would not go into the backcountry of the snake without stock or at least a team of buddies? I don't know about waking up to 4 feet of snow, but I've seen it dump 2 inches of snow an hour for 12 straight hours.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is your plan for getting your bull out of the backcountry?

live_two_hunt · Feb 26, 2012

I guess let me clarify a little, I will be in an Easton Kilo (2 man tent), rather than a bivy. I will also have tarps for additional shelter etc. Not a comfy camp with a wood stove to warm up next to, but survivable.

@ robinsg61le:
If I kill, I intend to pack out on my back.... I also have a drift boat that I might haul over, and float as close as I can get, then pack down to the boat, finish the drift, and then get shuttled. I know that there are some big rapids in that stretch that I will research further; however, I am experienced enough on the oars that I should make it through without incident. It might take me a week of packing, but that's the nice thing that time of year as cooler temps. allow you to do so.
-worst case scenario, I'll hire to have a string haul the meat out.

"something about the struggle and giving it everything you have, that makes success that much sweeter"

muleyman · Feb 27, 2012

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! I sent ya a PM in your box...

muleyman

robinsg61le · Feb 28, 2012

Sounds like you're realistic about the time it will take to pack out your kill. If you are 10 miles in, you're probably looking at the better part of a week in that country. Are you aware of exactly how steep the Snake River Unit can be? In many places, if the trails were any steeper you would need mountain climbing gear? that's not to say that you couldn't find easier trails, but after all, you're looking for a big bull, right? I'm assuming you're not going through all of this trouble for a rag-horn or a spike.

Accordingly, it would take some guts to drift the snake. I've spent some time down there and never seen a drift boat, but they may float it at certain times of the year.
The water would have to be way up on the Imnaha to be navigateable with a drift-boat, but I've seen it done with pontoons. I don't think you could go below cow creek, but that's your call.

I admire your eagerness for adventure, but I think I would look into some other options for hunting the Snake River Unit if I were you? I believe with your current plan, the risk may outweigh the reward.

tchoate3 · Feb 28, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-12 AT 11:09AM (MST)[p]One thing about that county is that it doesn't take many miles to wear you out. It's not for the faint of heart, I have hunted the the west side of the Imnaha the last two years and I couldn't imagine being more than 5 air miles from camp,truck or stock in a rain/smow storm. Fog is another thing you may have to deal with, it can hang on for days, so a comfortable camp is good to have. It is very decieving, climbing out of those canyons takes alot of time and effort, even when your not carring a heavy load. 1000 ft of elevation in less than 1 air mile is common. Not sayin it can't be done, just very extreme and risky of your in the canyon country of the unit.. Good luck! http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos/5079chesnimnus_fog

bonepicker · Feb 28, 2012

+1 to what everybody is saying, tough country and that mid-November time frame is unpredictable. Could be 50-60 degrees or -10 below zero. Could have freezing rain, blizzard conditions or sunny. In the canyons you won't have cell reception and may not even have reception on some of the hills, I don't think that I would hunt it alone. Say you are expected to be gone 5 days and something happens in the bottom of one of the draws on day one, you're looking at 5 days before they will even START looking for you. Do it with a buddy and it will be a great hunt.

missalot · Feb 28, 2012

First of all, I don't think 6 will get a NR the tag. However, if you do get it be prepared to see very few animals and lots of miles, mostly downhill (which means packing them back UPHILL)!

You either access it from the bottom (El. 600 ft) and go a long way up, or access it from the top ( El. 6,000 ft.)and go a long way down. If you pack an elk out of there on your back, you earned it.

missalot · Feb 28, 2012

P.S. if you do draw it, contact me and I can give you the name of a landowner that sells access to some good country.

muleyman · Feb 29, 2012

Is it that landowner north of Imnaha that lets you trespass through his property to get up *** ****? He sells to everyone that asks and there are trailers up the "wazoo" at his gate if its the same guy...atleast during archery season!

muleyman

muleyman · Feb 29, 2012

also missalot is right about 6 points probably not being enought...

muleyman

tchoate3 · Feb 29, 2012

Good call missalot, I didnt realize it was that hard to draw as a non-res. Looks like a 9 point tag right now. Hopefully the wolfs don't eat all the elk before you have the points l-t-h.

missalot · Mar 1, 2012

My advice would be to do a late summer trip into there to see what it is like. After doing that, my guess is that you won't burn 9 points to hunt it.

gonehuntn · Mar 3, 2012

live 2, i've hunted this unit last two years both times on foot no stock pm me if you want more info. not sure backpacking solo on this hunt is the best way to go.

live_two_hunt · Mar 4, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Mar-04-12 AT 01:54PM (MST)[p]Sorry it's taken me so long to get back on here... been a crazy week.

Anyways, don't get too hung up on me not having residency in Oregon. I left the complicated details out so I don't turn a long post into a novel!

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond though.

As far as going in solo goes, I have a couple of different buddies that would love to tag along. However, I'm not counting on any company until all the draw results come out and everyone knows what their schedule is.

"something about the struggle and giving it everything you have, that makes success that much sweeter"

elkslam · Mar 8, 2012

Going to the snake this year for elk season party will average 7 points residents. Taking a bunch of mules and horses I will let you know how it goes. Goodluck

Huffmad · Mar 10, 2012

I did this hunt last year. It was a fun hunt. You could do it off of your back but it would be tuff. We saw a few guys that either backpacked in or were spike camping out. We were on top and had about 6 inches of snow and then it got cold. I spiked out the night before season and it was miserable. I was sure glad that I had a big camp to go back to. Elkslam if you want send me a pm and I might be able to help you some.

elkslam · Mar 13, 2012

>I did this hunt last year.
> It was a fun
>hunt. You could do
>it off of your back
>but it would be tuff.
> We saw a few
>guys that either backpacked in
>or were spike camping out.
> We were on top
>and had about 6 inches
>of snow and then it
>got cold. I spiked
>out the night before season
>and it was miserable. I
>was sure glad that I
>had a big camp to
>go back to. Elkslam
>if you want send me
>a pm and I might
>be able to help you
>some.

PM sent