South Rainier - Muzzleloader

[CJ1962]

Being in the possesion of a Multi-Season Elk tag and an Observatory Bull Rifle permit.  I'm looking at my Muzzle loader options on the west side.  I'm not going to burn my permit on a spike, but if a good west side bull decided it wanted to commit suicide, I would oblige him.  A friend of mine was hiking this summer in the far eastern end of the South Rainier unit and saw Elk and lots of Elky areas.  A quick search of the forum showed that most of the discussions on the South Rainier unit are over 4 years old.  So I was wondering if there are people on the forum that have hunted it in recent years during the muzzle loader season, and what are the crowds like and how has your hunting been in the far eastern end?

TIA

[coachcw]

what happens in elk woods stays there ! what do you have to loose ?

[lagnar]

Sent you a PM. Same situation here. 

[HighCountryHunter88]

south rainier gets slammed during muzzy. i did it once, never again.

[fluentvoo]

Maybe the reason there hasn't been a lot of chatter about the area is the lack of logging that has taken place there.
The spots that used to be newer clear cuts are now growing pretty thick. Has to be 10 years worth of growth on them, maybe more? I remember when I could walk through huckleberry areas. Now you can't see 20 yards. There are old growth areas still in the unit tho. 
I blue grouse hunt the high ridges in that unit, and I do see elk sign now and again.

[Jayfire83]

Gets hit hard!

[bobcat]

All muzzleloader units get lots of pressure, due to the fact that there are very few units open for muzzleloader. If you decide to go muzzleloader hunting for elk, don't do it to get away from the crowds. The only way you won't have lots of company is if you're on private land or in an area with no elk.

[Rooster1981]

There is some steep country in that unit, and then you have the wilderness. If you are willing to get off the road and hike into the steep stuff you might have some luck.

[Elkstuffer]

south rainier gets slammed during muzzy. i did it once, never again.

All muzzleloader units get lots of pressure, due to the fact that there are very few units open for muzzleloader. If you decide to go muzzleloader hunting for elk, don't do it to get away from the crowds. The only way you won't have lots of company is if you're on private land or in an area with no elk.

 

[Dirty Mike]

I hunted it for 8yrs. Then switched to bow. This was my last yr up there

[ac_156]

I have hunted it the last three years way to many people last year the wilderness areas look like a koa camp ground  had to be 300 camps setup within the first five miles of the trailheads.

[BENCHLEG]

Way too many people  in that area. I would hunt your permit you have better odds.

[bullcanyon]

64 rigs at one of the trailheads on last years opener.  It ain't required, but hunter orange would be a good idea up there.  You might want to get there the day before the opener so you can get a parking spot.  I'm not joking one bit. 

[ac_156]

 

64 rigs at one of the trailheads on last years opener.  It ain't required, but hunter orange would be a good idea up there.  You might want to get there the day before the opener so you can get a parking spot.  I'm not joking one bit.

 

[dreamingbig]

There are a lot of different ways to access the unit.  Probably best to hunt the escape routes.

[ac_156]

Tried that last year so many people up there the pushed the elk into the next county the night before. Most of the trails looked like tent city. Even the deep dark holes had people camped in them.

[buglebuster]

I didnt have any problems, even with all the people in 2011 muzzy season. This boy came in screaming.

[erk444]

Dang! That thing has a huge body!