Welcome gijoedoc and thanks for your service. I've been elk hunting that area for the last 10 years with some success. What would you like to know about the area? Last year we got 2 feet of snow in my camp. Be prepared for drastic weather changes. Seems every year there are more and more hunters in that area. You'll have a better chance for success if you get drawn for your special permit since it's a "spike" only unit. Some years I've seen lots of elk and others like last year only 5 cows. Are you from the "Burg" area? Let me know if there is anything else you would like to know. Take care and be safe. Reddog132

Hello Reddog, T
That was my father in laws nick name. Thanks for the response back.
I am not from the Burg area, Orignially I grew up in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Wa. Went to college at WWU and actually played football against CWU.
Ran out of money for school and joined the Navy some 22 yrs ago. I've hunted the mission ridge area and Bumping unit during muzzle loader season but just haven't had alot of opportunity to hunt like I would like to. Trying a new area and going modern this yearr for a change of pace. It seems like th amount of hunting pressure grows in every area every year, it would be great ot hunt out of state but they rob the non-residents now in most states were ELK hunting is primo. So why do you think the Elk numbers have declined in the Manashtash Unit? poor game management, pressure on the heard or decline in heard do to starvation,,ect. I have a friend that does archery in manashtash he sees the ELK but never able to get close enough for a good shot. Snow 2' humm, yeah had snow in Mission last year but not 2'.......thats a big drop and can make conditions a little tougher. About the unit itself, not sure what roads you use to even get into the area and were do you think the Elk seem to be concentrating over the last few yrs? I was told to focus on the Umtanum, manashtash border....good or bad info?? As a newbie to the area I don't expect anyone to really tell me exactly were to go but a point in the correct direction would help. I am a pretty serious hunter and don't mind treking off the road for several miles as well as I know thats were thay go at the first sign of trouble for the most part. Hope to talk again, and thanks.

gijoedoc
I would like to thank you for your service to our country .
I have hunt the area you are talking about for over 50 yrs.
I build and hunt with Flintlocks .
And hunt the Muzzleloader seasons only ..
Game units 340 & 342 are the ones that I hunt mostly.
If you go to the Wa.St. Game Dept. they have a really good maps ask for the Green Dot map of the area you want .
Feel free to PM me for more info.
Good luck to you and come home safely

Go as far into the SW corner of the Manastash unit as you can. I always smell the Elk before I see them. If you smell Elk, stop. Then head upwind.
Good Luck! Moe

Ok, thanks Moe.
THe SW corner you say. I will give it a shot.