Elk points

[bowman31]

Want to get everyone opinion last year i gambled on the east side tag and did not draw so I did not hunt elk and do not want to do that again that being said with 9 points would you put in for Marget bull And mudflow bull and maybe draw losing 9 years of points or buy a ghost points for a few years and try for the eastside again so my ? is is the margret or mudflow worth the points

[jrebel]

I would find a place on the west side if that is where you like to hunt.  Why put in for an east side tag if you don't want to hunt the east side ?  I get it...so you can kill an east side bull, but 9 points is not a lot when talking east side bulls.  If you really insist on using your points on an east side bull, keep buying ghost points till you have at least 15.

[JPhelps]

This is a question only you can answer.  I don't know if you equate your points to horn size, the experience, etc... 

[huntnphool]

Want to get everyone opinion last year i gambled on the east side tag and did not draw so I did not hunt elk and do not want to do that again that being said with 9 points would you put in for Marget bull And mudflow bull and maybe draw losing 9 years of points or buy a ghost points for a few years and try for the eastside again so my ? is is the margret or mudflow worth the points

If you want to hunt the east side then why would you wait a few years while ghost pointing to apply? You could draw with 10, 11 or 12 points, you never know.

[jrebel]

Want to get everyone opinion last year i gambled on the east side tag and did not draw so I did not hunt elk and do not want to do that again that being said with 9 points would you put in for Marget bull And mudflow bull and maybe draw losing 9 years of points or buy a ghost points for a few years and try for the eastside again so my ? is is the margret or mudflow worth the points

If you want to hunt the east side then why would you wait a few years while ghost pointing to apply? You could draw with 10, 11 or 12 points, you never know.

The way I undstand it...if he doesn't draw the tag, he doesn't hunt at all because all he wants to hunt the eastside for is a big bull.  If this is indeed the case you will likely not hunt elk for many a year till you finally draw.  Huntnphool is right though, you could draw with any amount of points.....just the odds are not in your favor with low points. 

[jackelope]

He can ghost point it and still hunt branch antlered bulls on the west side. That's what I would do if I was saving points for the Blues and didn't want to hunt spikes. 

[JPhelps]

For some of the premier units your odds get worse each year you don't apply (assuming nobody drops out)

[bowman31]

I live to far to drive all the way over to say the datyon unit to hunt spikes  if i put in for a eastside tag and dont draw i dont hunt elk I know i could draw on any amount of points but there again i dont want to skip elk hunting on a real good chance of not drawing with small amount of points That being said is the margaret or mudflow a good tag to draw anymore or should i hold out and gain so more points

[huntnphool]

That being said is the margaret or mudflow a good tag to draw anymore or should i hold out and gain so more points

I dont think you are understanding. Either way you choose, east or west, you should not use ghost points if you want to hunt. If you want to hunt east, and are content with ghost points for a few years until you have what you believe is going to be enough, then you have already conceded to the fact that you are not going to hunt elk for those ghost point years. What I'm saying is if you are already prepared to not hunt, then why not just apply for the east side permit you want anyway? Your point situation will not change either way, you still get your point if you don't draw but at least you have a chance of drawing, with the ghost point you don't.

 If you just want to accumulate points until you have 12 or so before applying east, but still want to hunt, then buy a west side tag and go with your ghost point to make sure you don't draw. If you apply with 9 points to mudflow or Margaret you risk losing those points for the east.

[kentrek]

go for mudflow..no body cares about those eastside bulls 

plus that way you could get a killer pic of your kill with the other side of the mtn in the back ground 

[sirmissalot]

Have you killed a bull before? If not, I'd go for the Margaret or mud flow. If you're looking for a wall hanger either go eastside, buy points only, or apply for a better Westside bull tag like nooksack or white river which are both quality bull tags, not just bull tags.

[bowman31]

I have killed a bull before and i would like if i draw to shoot an above average bull
not nessecarally a monster just one i would love to hang on the wall I guess i dont understand the point buy thing i thought u could buy a point not put in for any tags and then next year have a new point just like i put in for a tag not sure what you mean buy not being able to hunt if i buy a point 

[jrebel]

I have killed a bull before and i would like if i draw to shoot an above average bull
not nessecarally a monster just one i would love to hang on the wall I guess i dont understand the point buy thing i thought u could buy a point not put in for any tags and then next year have a new point just like i put in for a tag not sure what you mean buy not being able to hunt if i buy a point 

You can just buy a "ghost point"

[skywalker253]

Want to get everyone opinion last year i gambled on the east side tag and did not draw so I did not hunt elk and do not want to do that again that being said with 9 points would you put in for Marget bull And mudflow bull and maybe draw losing 9 years of points or buy a ghost points for a few years and try for the eastside again so my ? is is the margret or mudflow worth the points

If you want to hunt the east side then why would you wait a few years while ghost pointing to apply? You could draw with 10, 11 or 12 points, you never know.

Or you could draw at 24 points and waste several years of hunting. I would ghost point until you get 15 points and hunt the westside. You can still harvest a nice bull during any of the general seasons. I think a giant 6 x 6 Rosie is much more fullfilling then a giant 6 x 6 eastside elk. Rosie's are way more challenging to harvest. IMO

[jrebel]

   Well said