Depressing archery permits

[bobcat]

Muzzleloader elk season is after the rut. Yes, I know the bulls may still bugle at that time. But, they will also bugle and come in to bugles during the early archery season.

Archery season is before the peak of the rut, muzzleloader is after. Seems fair to me. And if you like one season better than another, you're free to buy a tag for whichever season you prefer.

[huntnphool]

if you like one season better than another, you're free to buy a tag for whichever season you prefer.

Bingo!

[Kingpuck]

Sadly had no idea that archery guys could hunt the ML season. Put in for deer, elk, bear, and cougar tags this year. Only permits for deer and elk. Really want to get a bull elk this year.

Just bought a house tonight so it is high time to get an elk to put on the wall. Those vaulted ceilings have to come in handy somehow.

[huntnphool]

Sadly had no idea that archery guys could hunt the ML season.

With a multi season permit you can hunt general season too.

[elk247]

Put in for elk, deer, bear and cougar or bought otc? Congrats on the new house. Ironically the less time in it you spend the better your chances of decorating the walls. General early archery season is going to be awesome this year. Scout hard. Get that bull picked out in a general westside unit and try to contain yourself. September will come before you know it.

[elk247]

Phool, how many applied for elk multiseason vs. Permits given?

[huntnphool]

Phool, how many applied for elk multiseason vs. Permits given?

Good question, I would have to defer to Bobcat on that one. Reading the threads on this forum it doesn't seem like they actually gave out many elk multi season permits.

[elk247]

Ya, i was thinking about asking him also. It dosen't seem like an overwhelming number but quite a handfull of guys were pretty happy on d-day. Why wouldn't you be though to hunt elk all three seasons. So bobcat???

[winshooter88]

According to the WDFW website there were 1000 elk multi-season permits available and 8500 deer multi-season permits available. It does not say how many people applied for each, and no way to know at this time how many of the people drawn will actually purchase them.

[bobcat]

I think it was about 9,000 people that applied for the 1,000 multi season elk permits.

[Fullabull]

There is a reason why ML hunters are so restricted and that is because they are the only group who actually get to hunt during the elk rutting cycles.

So hunt the ML season with archery gear, problem solved!

I was just making a statement as to why there are restrictions on the ML hunters.

Bobcat, prime rutting time can run into early Oct. Cows who do not get pregnant their first cycle will cycle another two times or so which can take rutting action late into October. I have hunted in September and October and early Sept is nothing like hunting late Sept. or in October. Early Sept, can be a good time to hunt because the bulls are not all cowed up which can make it easier to get close to them if you can find them (which is the hard part).

[bobcat]

I've hunted muzzleloader elk season more than anything, and rarely, if ever, hear a bull bugle.

Eight years ago I had the Peaches Ridge muzzleloader permit (Oct 1-10 season) and heard lots of bugling up to about October 5th. After that it was like a switch was turned off. No more bugling.

When does muzzleloader season start this year? October 5th! And it was October 6th last year.

Last year I had a cow permit for Winston, early muzzleloader season. We hunted from October 6th to the 10th and never heard a bugle.

That's just a couple of examples but from what I have experienced, you will have a hard time convincing me that elk bugle more in October than they do in September.

[turkeyfeather]

I hunt the archery season, but take my son out for modern season. And I can say that I do think we archery guys have it a bit better. I would only say that I wish we could start the late deer season before Thanksgiving here on the dry side.

[bobcat]

I would only say that I wish we could start the late deer season before Thanksgiving here on the dry side.

It does start before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the 28th this year. I see starting dates of Nov 10, Nov 20, Nov 21, Nov 25, and Nov 27, depending on the GMU.   

[turkeyfeather]

I had not seen the regs till now. Gmu 121, 124, 127 are where I hunt. These traditionally started on Turkey day. I see that they start a couple days before that, but I would love to see it start about a week before Turkey day.