Elk special permits for 2014

[Bow tech hunter]

Hey hunters I got 7 points in qty.bull and 7 in anterless and 7 in any bull I am thinking of dusting off the rifles next year and was wondering what units should I applie for on west side for rifle any ideas help thanks and I also heard rumors that Winston is next to where u gota buy a access permit to hunt there it's my least of my worries to applie there for a cow tag I'll just have to watch what happens this coming year

[Jonathan_S]

I am not super qualified to answer but I'd say I would make the "Siouxon" Rifle hunt 2035 from this year in one of the top choices.  Seven points is a good start but if you want a really great tag it'll probably be a while 

[snowpack]

looking for trophy or best odds of being drawn?

[cem3434]

You should be able to pull a cow permits and have a decent shot at a bull permit.  Your chances of a quality permit are pretty slim. 

[Bow tech hunter]

Ya just looking for best odds to draw something next year

[jason stevens]

Go east.unless your applying for a draw only unit why waste points on an area that you can shoot big bulls already.

[TheHunt]

I would say only buy points for Wyoming. 

[snowpack]

For best odds, I'd look at the number of permits for each choice along with the number of applicants and average points.  Somewhere there is a site that has the real point spread for each permit.  I just figure the odds of being NOT selected for each draw and then subtract from one, that way for the draws with multiple permits I just have to raise to the power that is the number of permits, then subtract that from one.  I've only tried that for cows since I would have to drive a few hundred miles to shoot a cow anyways (no luck so far, so I can't say this method is all that solid).   

[elkh8me]

Teanaway

[bobcat]

Margaret and Toutle. Of course, as you mentioned, those units may be open only to those who purchase Weyerhaeuser access permits. Just have to wait and see. The other possibility is that the WDFW will make those units general season hunts.

For just a cow permit look at some of the January hunts. Pretty much all of them are good. You might think about not applying for hunts in all three of those categories, because you might draw more than one, and your points will be wasted.

[Tbar]

 I am far from an expert but I'll give my opinion. For a cow permit I would pick a St Helens unit and get to know the road network. All of the St Helens units should provide opportunity with a little homework.
For bull my first choice would be Margaret, this may be dependent on access. My second choice would be White River. One thing you should know about the WR unit is it's not for the faint of heart, it is amongst the steepest, nastiest, and rugged units in the state (non tree farm disclaimer). Third I would go with Nooksack spike, you are limited to spikes but it's close to a slam dunk.
For quality I would go with any of the rifle rut hunts (the unit you are most familiar with being best). Second I would go with Nooksack.Third  I would go with Toutle, that being your best chance at drawing with the least trophy potential.
I would change my order in accordance with my desired hunt.