is 501 worth looking at?

[Dbax129]

So I was wondering if 501 Lincoln was worth running around in. I am going to be scouting 673  Fall River this weekend for muzzie season, and noticed in 501, right next door, I would be able to harvest a cow if the chance arose. Now, obviously I'd love to hit a monster 7x7 for my first elk, but the option of taking a cow is kindof appealing. Question is, is the unit worth spending some time in if I'm in the area, or should I just focus on Fall River 3pt min? Any well known access points to start out on?  I got the family to think about so motry to do as much pre scouting as possible. Thanks!

[washingtonhunter121]

501 is tough. Also both of those areas will be permit areas this next season just if you hadn't realized that. I wouldn't but to much stock into the 501. Locals do pretty good in areas but they have been there for years and even at that it's pretty tough for them. 

[RadSav]

Six more 5X5's taken out of 673 than total elk taken out of 501.  So statistically the answer would be "No".  But, if you happen to find the magic spot, I expect it would be just as good as any other unit as it only takes one dumb one to make a guy happy   Last time I put any miles on in 501 it seemed every single acre had been sprayed HEAVILY with herbicide.  And the areas that only one year before had been loaded with deer seemed completely void of all living creatures.  Not sure if they went into hiding, headed for private land or simply died off from stomach cramps and the other 50 things they don't want you to know about that horrible stuff.  That's been about three or four years ago.  I haven't been back in 501 since!

[bobcat]

Lincoln will require a $200 Weyerhaeuser pass. There is some state land but as others have said, finding an elk in there can be tough.

Of course, much of Fall River (672, not 673) is also going to require the $200 Pe Ell North pass. Are you planning on purchasing it?

The difference between the two units is Lincoln is either sex even during rifle season, and always has been. So the elk numbers are kept low. Fall River is bull only for modern firearm season, so as a result it has more elk.

[Dbax129]

I don't plan on buying the pass. There is plenty of state land in fall river from what I've seen on the maps. Didn't look at ownership on the 501 though.  Any units down there that allow for cows on muzzy but not on modern I missed?

[bobcat]

The only one would be Skookumchuck (667) but it's almost all private so I wouldn't recommend it.

I think your best bet if you want to hunt SW Washington, is to buy a Weyerhaeuser pass. The Pe Ell pass will let you camp, and you're allowed a couple cords of firewood.

If you want to hunt cow elk you really need to go archery. They have all the best units and mostly either sex seasons. Muzzleloader is pretty much bull only except for the units with difficult access due to private land.


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[RadSav]

Any units down there that allow for cows on muzzy but not on modern I missed?

None worth the gas money to scout IMO.  In 2013  672 had four more bulls taken than all elk taken in 501 and 3 more than 504.  So your odds look just as good to find a bull as finding a cow in the others.  Especially when you figure a high percentage of those Lincoln and Stella cows are taken by residents on private land.

Still time to apply for some good cow permits!  Muzzy odds are pretty good.

[Dbax129]

Yeah. I will definitely be putting in for those muzzy tags if I hunt muzzy. I was given a bow, and will probably get it checked out this weekend and see about arrows and a release and all that. I would like to hunt archery elk, because I could see how in some units getting a cow would offer a greater chance of harvest, but I don't know if I want to commit to it right now, as I still have never shot a bow! I guess I could put in for muzzy tags, and if I don't draw, and I get in some good practice, switch to archery tag. I think that's doable. I was told you could switch tags if you do it before Sept. 1st. A buddy switched his deer tag last year, but it was in like July and because he just bought the wrong season by mistake. He thought we were hunting muzzy deer together. Not sure if that's affected by putting in for permits...
Anyways, thanks for the tips guys. I'm just looking to improve my odds from the start like everyone else. I really appreciate the input. Any more is greatly appreciated. Scouting fall river this weekend. 672, not 673. I always mix those up.  673 is where I would be if I went archery I'm pretty sure. Beautiful out there.

[bowhunterty]

If you apply for muzzy special permits you will not be able to switch.

[washingtonhunter121]

Goodluck with the scouting. In my honest opinion of being in 672 quite a bit your odds on getting a bull will go up with the pass. The state land is much tougher and alot of it is touching private land that holds the elk and the locals will always beat ya  to those elk. Goodluck

[oneshot12]

 worth a good long look for sure      the elk know the area so much better then we do.  Best bet is to  get in the thick stuff and see if you can find them. they also jump both sides of smith creek  , 7000  and 9000 roads  but  most likely your going to  need  a permit to gain   access to the area just as the others have said . have been lots of road hunters in the past   could be changing with the access being cut down
 

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

I don't post much but would be willing to drive around with you some weekend in 501. Ive hunted it for the last 12 yrs and done well with deer and had some close but no cigars with elk. Hunt both Weyco and State lands about 50/50 and have a good camp spot that's pretty central and out of the wind most of the time and not soggy when its wet. Lets make it happen. Oh, and I hunt muzzy.