Margret Archery Bull Expectations

[Chuck83]

Inbreed 5 points with the occasional nice bull, it takes more then mass to make a bull over 300! 

[Bullkllr]

You all is foolz.
Wait until 12 years after the next major eruption and then start putting in.

Doesn't mean it's not a fun hunt and still a relatively desirable tag.

[2MANY]

Nope.
I put in for it for my wife and would love to go hunt it.
When I was working in the monument in 1996 it was THE tag.

[BENCHLEG]

i would agree with you 2many, in 96 my cousin had the tag and we saw many big bulls that year . that is until 3 days before the opener we started finding gut piles all over the roads and we couldn't locate the 10 or so 6pt plus shooters.we had watched all summer my cousin ran into the gamie and he said tribal hunters came in and whacked them. ever seance then that unit has gone down hill that was when i noticed the impact of non tag holders hunting the unit. good luck t you got your work cut out for you if you want 300

[Bullkllr]

Well, according to WDFW harvest reports since 2008 (only years antler point data was easily available), they don't all max out at 5 points. Of course there was everything from spikes on up making up total bulls harvested. From summaries-all weapons combined.
   
         6+pts/total bulls     %6pts+
2008           6/37              16%
2009           5/25              20%
2010           1/18              06%
2011           5/45              11%
2012           9/61              15%

Don't see much of a trend, except number of permits has sure increased the past couple years...

[npaull]

I hunt with a longbow and I want this tag so badly... I think it's the number of elk that excites me. I'd be perfectly happy with a 3x3 though, so I don't think it'd be too hard to fill it...

[pianoman9701]

I guess to me it would depend on whether or not you're planning on doing a mount and what the minimum requirement for that would be. If you're just going to take pictures and not mount, find a bull with a pretty rack and kill it. Take some pictures and eat it. If you are looking for a mount, will you mount a 230? 240? No less than 280?

[Chuck83]

I still want to see some pics of 300 inch margret bulls

[BENCHLEG]

Me 2 i have  had the opportunity to see a few from the 90s but didn't have pics.

[furbearer365]

No doubt it is a fun hunt and the amount of elk you will see could very well make it a quality hunt.  I put in for it this year myself because I used my quality points last year on the eastside and thought I could use my points for bull on the west.  There are still some good bulls but the idea of having a 300 in mind as a goal just seems way to over zealous IMO.  But have fun and cannot wait to see a pic.

[rackattack]

My wife drew the rifle bull tag and the first thing I told her was to shoot the first bull she sees.  Now that there appears to be 300 inch bulls still in the Margaret I'll have to change our plans.  I wish you well and hope you can score a big one, but a nice five out of that unit shouldn't be passed.  WDFW stats are deceiving because they count a report of a 5x6 as a six point even if it was just a 1" kicker on one side.   

[TMortensen]

Ok so here's the plan, Sept 7-22 Ill do my best to find a 300+ bull . I have recieved messages from guys sayin theyve seen some big bulls in therr last year, but couldnt get it done. So Ill try for big and keep ya'll posted of my scouting trips, trail cam pics etc.

If I dont fill my tag in sept, Ill take first bull I can in the late season

I also have a multiseason elk tag so I have options.

[Mudman]

Of all the members on the site and all the experience and animals taken I cant believe nobody has any pics of 320+ bulls from Margo that everybody claims are there?  I have seen some nice ones laying below the Observatory along river but not on walls.  I would take first nice 5x5 I could especially if archery!

[furbearer365]

Ok so here's the plan, Sept 7-22 Ill do my best to find a 300+ bull . I have recieved messages from guys sayin theyve seen some big bulls in therr last year, but couldnt get it done. So Ill try for big and keep ya'll posted of my scouting trips, trail cam pics etc.

If I dont fill my tag in sept, Ill take first bull I can in the late season

I also have a multiseason elk tag so I have options.

Sounds like a plan.  Just remember, depending where you hunt a lot of that country is overgrown with jackfir and what is not is high and may have snow in December.  Plus, add on that fact that they wont be in rut bugling their head off and giving themselves away.  If it were me, I would try my hardest to fill that tag in Sept. Also, if you hunt in December, you will be following the muzzle and rifle boys who can both shoot way farther than u, which means those few big ones could be already in someone elses freezer.  Just something to think about

[throttlejocky20]

Set your sights high if 300 is your mark than right on if you end up shooting a bull that goes 250 to 280 i dont hink there is anyone here that would say you screwed up. I have personally seen some smasher bulls in there when i had my cow tag in 2010. With that said the weather was on my side and the bulls were very vocal. Good luck my buddy has a muzzy tag and after what i seen last sat. we are setting our mark high as well.