Best odds for elk mod muzzy or bow?

[RockChuck]

Thinking of switching from modern to muzzy or bow for elk, eastern wa probably colockum or blues, not looking for a big bull just an elk in the freezer! The colockum was like a firing range during modern last year!! Other areas are an option also I just have not hunted much else, what are your thoughts?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Well the blues won't be any better.  If you switch to anything but modern, go to ne wa.  You'll see just as many "legal" elk but you got a chance at it being branch antler  bull.

[bobcat]

The muzzleloader seasons aren't very generous on the eastside, if that's where you're wanting to hunt. A little more opportunity on the west side, but still not great. Your best bet is archery, if your capable of learning how to shoot a bow, or if you're already there. I would defnitely recommend that over muzzleloader. Archery seasons very often are open for either sex. Most often muzzleloader is bull only, and on the east side that means you're hunting only for spike bulls. Very low odds chance of success with that kind of a limitation.

[jrebel]

Not sure what you are looking for when you say "the best odds."  If you are not, or have not been an archer hunter...it is not easy.  You need to shoot a lot and be very profficient with your bow.  You need to get close which again is not easy.  Muzzleloader has a short season, but your range is increased.  Still a ton of factors that can effect the hunt / shot.  Rifle has a lot more people if you choose to hunt with the masses, however if you see a legal animal it is usually a dead animal.  I have hunted all and what I find gives me the best odds is preperation....scouting, practicing, getting away from others, etc. etc.   Pick the weapon you are comfortable with and have the time to become proficient with.  Then spend time in the field.  That will give you the best odds of harvesting an elk. 

Good Luck

[RockChuck]

NE has been a thought also, I have no archery experience but am thinking of picking up a bow and learning and practicing.

[huntnnw]

THE NE has a great season and theres a reason its a week

[Jburke]

NE is not as easy as some make it out to be however.  There are definately elk there and some great bulls, but they can be very hard to find.  It's dense and steep in places.  It can take a few years at best to get it figured out a bit, but don't be surprised if you go the entire season without seeing any at all.   

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

No elk in the blues. Smoke Pole is super fun in the colkkum.

[Woodchuck]

  Well said

[D-Rock425]

Muzzy for sure archery season sucks to early for rut and way to hot.

[hunterrcc]

For sure rifle!  Not enough hunts for muzzy and too hot durning archery!

[bobcat]

Muzzy for sure archery season sucks to early for rut and way to hot.

For sure rifle!  Not enough hunts for muzzy and too hot durning archery!

And you guys both hunt archery, correct?   

[RockChuck]

Yes early archery seems like its a bit warm to deal with meat care, my preference would be multisesion if I can get drawn

[D-Rock425]

Yes i do but its a horrible season 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Multiseason is gonna give ya the most options for sure 

   As far as odds go... although it varies some from unit to unit and year to year. Overall percentages of harvest are pretty close across the board.  overall elk knowledge, time and area familiarity are going to go farthest in " increasing odds". More than a given weapon or season. OR  just draw a great tag 

   As far as picking a "best" season thats really subjective and everybodys experience and circumstances are different.

   
   

 

[Bob33]

Here are harvest success rates for the three methods for the past ten years, during general elk seasons:

[JPhelps]

overall elk knowledge, time and area familiarity are going to go farthest in " increasing odds". More than a given weapon or season.

I agree.  The chart above can only be taken at face value, one can't pick archery and assume they will have a better chance at success.

It isn't so much dependant on season dates, units, or weapons although it does definitely play a factor.  I feel that as archery has grown a large majority of the once successful modern elk hunters have migrated to archery where they continue to be successful. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I like that chart! It shows that archery hunters are great at there sport! Is there a chart showing the numbers of general hunter numbers to really put the iceing on the cake? I would still recomend smoke pole if coming from rifle background.

[Bob33]

I like that chart! It shows that archery hunters are great at there sport! Is there a chart showing the numbers of general hunter numbers to really put the iceing on the cake? I would still recomend smoke pole if coming from rifle background.

You can find all the data here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/

[RockChuck]

Thanks for the info that chart has the info I was looking for, i would think most archery hunters are more dedicated and that leads to a higher percentage, I agree with the knowledge  and skill of the particular weapon and of elk.

[RockChuck]

Anyone know the odds of drawing multiseason elk?

[Bob33]

Anyone know the odds of drawing multiseason elk?

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/results/results.php?Species=ELK

About 1 in 9.

[RockChuck]

Thank You, I have never seen that on the website before, I know where it is now though.

[huntndad]

I think we all know data can only show so much, and we all interpret it a little differently.  For me, the archery data is a little misleading since over half the elk killed are cows.  Not that the other categories don't include cows, they just don't have anywhere near the same percentage.  Archery success rate on bulls is probably less than 4%.

[RockChuck]

Do you know the success rate for archery cows?

[Bob33]

Harvest data can be found here:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2011/

[huntndad]

Do you know the success rate for archery cows?

Probably around 5%.  I assume it could be quite a bit higher, but in many units (at least the ones we hunt in the early season) bulls and cows are open simultaneously and most hunters focus only on bulls. 

[Fullabull]

Huntndad is correct, archers have the opportunity to take cows in more units than modern hunters which brings up their success rates. Muzzy, gets the best rutting season but their units are very limited. Modern gets the only draw tags during peak rut but they are few. I think it just depends on how much work you want to put into it and if you want to see fewer hunters. Where we archery hunt, we still see hunters every day but we do find elk where they do not

As far as the heat goes, you need to have a plan to get your meat out as quickly as possible.

[bear hunter]

Muzzleloader for Cow draw permit in 340 and 342 units