Muzzleloader Late Season

[Bookworm007]

Made a sad realization today....... My favorite deer hunting area is not available for general late season hunt  This is my first year muzzleloader hunting and was used to modern firearm where you get 3 weeks in the field between general and late. Not to start a cry baby thread but why do we get less opportunities? Archery gets the whole month of September plus a late season and we get just a week in lots of great deer country?

[scottcrb]

Agreed it sucks. Not a lot of options.

[bobcat]

There are some good areas open for late deer. Just not very many. It's better than the elk units though. I think there aren't many units for muzzleloader because many are open for archery. There are more archery hunters so they get more units.

[Mfowl]

Us being the smallest user group (ML guys) seems that they could open more areas and have better opportunities without adding too much pressure or too much harvest. 

[deaner]

muzzle loader hunters do have a couple of the only otc muley late hunts available

[deaner]

correction i just looked, archery has them too. 

[smokepole hunter]

I've been cussing about this topic for years now. Been hunting the black powder seasons for 15 yrs and nothing ever changes. You would think they would give the muzzle stuffer hunters more areas, since it's more challenging for us. It's not like we can knock one down at 300 yards like high powered. Preseason is the key to a successful hunt, since the season is so short.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I hunted 113 with my charcoal-burner for quite a few years, but only hunted the early half of the season ONCE.  At that time of the year the leaves are still on the trees and bushes and you can't see squat!  I jumped an elk out of its bed, and never even saw it.  Heard it running away, but never got a glimpse of it.

[Bookworm007]

I agree it is rather lousy, why couldn't they let us hunt the late season with mod firearm? I know that doesn't really help with the disadvantage, but it would at least give us more time in the field. I am still very very excited for the opener this weekend!!!! 

[Jonathan_S]

I hunted 113 with my charcoal-burner for quite a few years, but only hunted the early half of the season ONCE.  At that time of the year the leaves are still on the trees and bushes and you can't see squat!  I jumped an elk out of its bed, and never even saw it.  Heard it running away, but never got a glimpse of it.

Yeah 113 is not like LT Murray   

It's more of a sneak and peek, sit on a stump and wait type of unit

[trophyhunt]

Us being the smallest user group (ML guys) seems that they could open more areas and have better opportunities without adding too much pressure or too much harvest. 

:yeah:late elk season really sucks for muzzy. I'm sure there are some sweet spots but no one talks about them, which I don't blame them considering most would go there?!?

[The100Road]

I agree it is rather lousy, why couldn't they let us hunt the late season with mod firearm? I know that doesn't really help with the disadvantage, but it would at least give us more time in the field. I am still very very excited for the opener this weekend!!!! 

you must be hunitng unit 407? you got me so excited for a minute. i thought i forgot what the date was.

[James E]

172 is excellent for the late hunt. The whitetail are usually in full rut. It is mostly private though.

[Bookworm007]

Nope I am hunting Washougal, I put a lot of time on the boots this year so I am hoping it will pay off!  I don't really want to drive to the east side for deer so looks like late season in Coweeman if I don't seal the deal this weekend! Maybe next year I will just pony up for the multi season tag and really have fun

[CAMPMEAT]

All weapons should get the exact length of time to hunt. Disabled hunters get the worst areas to hunt with the shortest time allowed.

[Button Nubbs]

 

All weapons should get the exact length of time to hunt. Disabled hunters get the worst areas to hunt with the shortest time allowed.

[bobcat]

Disabled hunters? They don't really have their own season. They hunt the same general seasons as everybody else. With a few areas open for antlerless deer only for disabled hunters. So I'd say they have it pretty good.

[The100Road]

Nope I am hunting Washougal, I put a lot of time on the boots this year so I am hoping it will pay off!  I don't really want to drive to the east side for deer so looks like late season in Coweeman if I don't seal the deal this weekend! Maybe next year I will just pony up for the multi season tag and really have fun

gotchya, deer.......... my mind automatically went to elk.

[splitshot]

  and deer and elk over 65 years have nothing, no permits.  modern has a bunch.  at least group us with modern.  and of the 8 master hunters I know 6 have filled their elk tags.   mike w

[CAMPMEAT]

Disabled hunters? They don't really have their own season. They hunt the same general seasons as everybody else. With a few areas open for antlerless deer only for disabled hunters. So I'd say they have it pretty good.

Nope, it's horrible. I've even complained to the WDFW this year and they were surprised, ya right. They know exactly what they are doing. We get the crappiest areas to hunt, plus they've closed areas too. I gave back my deer tag for Chesaw this year.

[buckfvr]

Made a sad realization today....... My favorite deer hunting area is not available for general late season hunt  This is my first year muzzleloader hunting and was used to modern firearm where you get 3 weeks in the field between general and late. Not to start a cry baby thread but why do we get less opportunities? Archery gets the whole month of September plus a late season and we get just a week in lots of great deer country?

Smallest user group.........

[spikehunter]

YUP    that's typical of the state , more fees less oppurtunities

[splitshot]

correction , the 8 master hunters have all filled their elk tags. they hunt in sept. with rifles.  there is something wrong with this picture that needs to be corrected and some get a second elk tag which is wrong also.  please don't flame me to bad cuz I am not the only person who feels this way.   mike w

[oneshot12]

   will go along with  that as well

[Bookworm007]

Yeah WDFW seems to have taken the "life isn't fair" and made it their motto...... I just want to late buck hunt the same unit I early season hunt???

[Forrestrover.02]

I was really disappointed the first year I realized that unit 660 wasn't open for late muzzleloader. And I'm always frustrated with the fact that 460 isn't open in the early season.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Last year I hunted Modern instead of Muzzleloader for the first time in years.  Why? Because being over 65, there are extra days to hunt in the Modern season, and an either-sex opportunity.  Could be the same for Archery hunters and Muzzleloader hunters, but it's not.  This year I didn't even bother getting a Big Game License and tag.  I'm done with big game hunting in this State.  Seems like all WDFG thinks about is the money!