Archery or muzzleloader??

[CamoDup]

So this year I was lucky enough to draw the multi-season elk tag.  What I have done in years past for deer applications is to put in for special permits and if I get drawn then I won't buy the multi season tag. I really want to see what happens after the special drawings to see if I will buy the multi tag or not.  My delimma is I don't know if I should put in for all archery or all muzzy...? I have been archery elk for the last few seasons but the dates are just a little too early for full on rutting bulls from what I have seen.  I guess what I'm asking is whats your opinion on the season that has better rutting activity... Archery Sept. 2-14 or Muzzy Oct. 1-10? I put in for eastern washington GMUs.   

[vandeman17]

Are there certain units that you have more experience in or that you would prefer to hunt? That would be my first line of thinking as far as choices. If it doesn't compel you to go with one weapon or the other, I would most likely go with a muzzy tag somewhere. Though not much higher, I still believe my odds are a little better of getting a bull because my effective range moves from 50-60 yards out to about 125 yards. I also like the first week of October better because of cooler weather and less chances of closures.

[CamoDup]

Ya I'm  familiar with all the units around Yakima. (Cowiche, rimrock, little naches, Nile, ect). And you brought up a good point that I haven't thought about with the closures.

[vandeman17]

You can always fall back on archery and chase those dang spikes around if you don't draw a tag. Another choice would be to put in for quality muzzy and archery bull tags and let fate decide. 

[Rainier10]

I would do Muzzy, with the way archery timing is this year I think archery will be too soon.  Muzzy will be better timing and your effective range is longer.  If you don't draw a tag then take out a loan, quit your job, get the MS permit and hunt all general seasons.

[bobcat]

How many points do you have? If you don't have many, apply for archery permits. If you have a lot, say 10 or more, then apply for muzzleloader permits.

[et1702]

How many points do you have? If you don't have many, apply for archery permits. If you have a lot, say 10 or more, then apply for muzzleloader permits.

Hey Bob, why do you say think this?  Since I drew the MS elk this year (and I usually only hunt archery), I've been looking at the draw odds for Archery VS ML.  They appear very similar for most hunts.  Sure, more tags for archery, but also more applicants.  Less tags for ML, but a lot less applicants too.  So, what I'm seeing is similar odds to draw (at least in the eastside units I'm interested in hunting).

ET

[Fullabull]

With the starting dates this year, the ML season will have much better rutting action then the archery. Next year will be better for archery as it starts on the 8th. The only problem with ML is the limit of units you can hunt but if you get a special permit I think you can do really well in ML season!

[bobcat]

I say that because odds are better for archery permits. Just an example- Observatory archery permit, odds are 1 in 5, Observatory muzzleloader permit, odds are 1 in 25.

[et1702]

I say that because odds are better for archery permits. Just an example- Observatory archery permit, odds are 1 in 5, Observatory muzzleloader permit, odds are 1 in 25.

Sorry, I was looking at them backwards (brainfart on my part).  Yes, Quality ML is tougher draw, plus avg. points required to draw is higher in most cases.

ET

[HUNT-HARD]

You can always fall back on archery and chase those dang spikes around if you don't draw a tag. Another choice would be to put in for quality muzzy and archery bull tags and let fate decide. 

      To do this he would have to buy MS tag first.

[CamoDup]

Thats what Im trying to avoid. I don't want to buy the MS tag and then draw. I only have 8 points so chances are that I won't draw anything. I just wanted to get other opinions on what would be a better way to go IF I did draw something. I am leaning towards muzzle stuffer because of the dates. If all else fails I still have the multi tag to fall back on 

[Bow tech hunter]

But you would have to pay twice for ur elk licenses because last year I bought tags applied for deer and elk permits but I also drew the multie deer but when I went in to a dealer they said I should of bought my multie deer first then I can only buy the applications but I didn't know so I paid 50 bucks for deer tag then they took my deer tag and reissued me to my multie deer which cost 182 last year so it cost me twice for one deer 

[bobcat]

The cost is the same no matter what. You always will have to pay for a "license" and then pay for the multi season tag in addition to that.


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[4fletch]

I have cow called quite a few bulls in early oct on the west side. I think it should be close to the same on the east side. They came in silent

[buglebrush]

It seems the rut should be better in Muzzie season, but I have actually had better luck in archery.  More hunters crammed into the same weekend on Muzzie too.  I know there may be more archers, but it just seems the two weekends spreads them out a little better.  Never seen half as many hunters in archery.  My 

[Little Fish]

I would put in for muzzle loader. I am in complete agreement regarding timing for archery seasons. If I compare the last 2-3 years of archery with the prior 4 or 5 the number of opportunities and/or times we have heard bugling elk is something like 3 to 1. Maybe worse. Depending on where you hunt the possibility of fire closures is greater early in September as well.

[buglebuster]

The cost is the same no matter what. You always will have to pay for a "license" and then pay for the multi season tag in addition to that.


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Wrong. Myself and multiple buddies have purchased multi season deer and not the original deer tag. The 1st time the dealer called olympia to verify and we were right. You have to tell them at checkout or you will get gouged.

[buglebuster]

To answer your question, I would choose archery! Much better odds of drawing a tag and phenomenal hunting with far less pressure! My buddy and I have hunted Westside for the past 5 years except last year I bought Eastside since he drew multi. He then turned around and drew a goose prairie bull tag. We hardly saw another hunter and called in multiple bulls per day, all season long and they were on fire. This year's season is only a day difference from last year. This whole to early for rut thing really gets me, these Eastside bulls act a lot different then Westside ones!

[bobcat]

The cost is the same no matter what. You always will have to pay for a "license" and then pay for the multi season tag in addition to that.


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Wrong. Myself and multiple buddies have purchased multi season deer and not the original deer tag. The 1st time the dealer called olympia to verify and we were right. You have to tell them at checkout or you will get gouged.

That's impossible. Everyone has to buy a deer "license." The tag is free.

[buglebuster]

Well I've done it 3 times buddy explain that...

[bobcat]

Well I've done it 3 times buddy explain that...

You have done what? If you mean you have bought your deer license and not opted to take the free tag at that time, so have I. I do it that way every year.

[buglebuster]

No, I bought elk and my multiseason deer at the same time. It cost me $232, instead of paying for deer+elk+multiseason deer for $266

[bobcat]

Well if it's true that you're not having to pay for a deer license, it's a glitch in the system and the other people aren't getting "gouged," they're paying the correct amount for what they're getting.

I've never heard of this before. It seems odd that you're the only one getting away without paying for a deer license. You might be in trouble if a game warden looks closely at your hunting license and sees that you're not actually licensed to hunt deer.

[buglebuster]

It's not just me, it's a few of my buddies as well. Like I said, bimart called olympia the 1st time because they were confused. Olympia confirmed that we were correct and we didn't need to purchase deer if we were buying multiseason deer. Same went for elk last year with a different buddy when he drew multiseason.

[coachcw]

Food for thought . Once a herd bull rounds up his cows he can be pretty tough to kill . so if your looking to kill a stud you may want a crack at him early before he getting a harem . those old wise bulls will take there cows and leave in areas where they get called a bunch. once the rut kicks in satellite bulls are very easy to kill so it just depends what your looking for.

[mtman]

 I agree with coachcw. From my experience the big bulls are easyer to get close to and trick before the rut. Buy the time muzzy comes around it gets harder to get them to do what you want. I would say that the rut is closer to muzzy season though. I just think the big bulls move in with the cows closer to the rut. so its hunt the big ones early when the young ones are with the cows or vise versa.