Muzzleloader Hunters act now!

[washelkhunter]

The comment period for the setting of the next 3 years of hunting seasons and rules ends on Sept. 22nd. It is imperative that ML hunters express what they would like to see happen. The AR guys are trying to steal the ML season out from underneath us. They already get the longer season, all the best GMU's and the most liberal of harvests and special draw permits. Last year they were able to get archery even added to the ML season over the objections and sound reasoning and arguements of the ML community, and now they want our season dates as well. Tell the WDFW that enough is enough. Tell them we want more liberal opportunities and get back to the 11-12 day season for elk. Open GMU's 560 and 346 to the general ML season as well. Also check the box to keep AR in its present season. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/aug1314c/

[bobcat]

342 is open for general muzzleloader. And most hunters don't want to switch the seasons, all they want is for the archery season to be a little later than it is currently. That change really won't affect the muzzleloader season.

I do agree it would be nice to have a few more GMU's open for muzzleloader season. And to have even just a couple on the east side for a late season. Because right now there is NOTHING open for late season if you have an east side tag. Except a couple GMUs that are nearly 100% private land and have very few elk.

[ghosthunter]

I filled out the survey a week ago. Everyone wants later seasons. Global warming is making hot for both bow and early muzzy season.
It looks right now that we will not have fires again for the 2 nd year in. A row.

All the seasons need to be moved back.

But bow hunters already have the best seasons.
Bow hunters should be careful what they wish for. They are apt to get more bow hunters also.

Our elk camp numbered 14 last year. Over half own a bow but hunt muzzy.
I myself almost bought a bow this year.
It wouldn't take much to switch our whole camp over to bow.
There are many other groups in the same boat.

[bear hunter]

I used to hunt Rifle,and archery for deer and elk. Now I hunt rifle for elk and muzzleloader for deer. The archers can hunt early and late for almost 2 months. We only have 9 days for deer and 7 for elk during the early season. And yes I wish we had more late hunts and GMUs open. I don't mind the that I can use archery with my muzzle tag. I think its a plus just like rifle hunters. They can use any weapon so I think muzzle can use one step back and use archery and archery can use a knife. 

[washelkhunter]

342 is open for general muzzleloader. And most hunters don't want to switch the seasons, all they want is for the archery season to be a little later than it is currently. That change really won't affect the muzzleloader season.

I do agree it would be nice to have a few more GMU's open for muzzleloader season. And to have even just a couple on the east side for a late season. Because right now there is NOTHING open for late season if you have an east side tag. Except a couple GMUs that are nearly 100% private land and have very few elk.

I meant GMU 346, we used to have opportunity in there.

[hughjorgan]

The comment period for the setting of the next 3 years of hunting seasons and rules ends on Sept. 22nd. It is imperative that ML hunters express what they would like to see happen. The AR guys are trying to steal the ML season out from underneath us. They already get the longer season, all the best GMU's and the most liberal of harvests and special draw permits. Last year they were able to get archery even added to the ML season over the objections and sound reasoning and arguements of the ML community, and now they want our season dates as well. Tell the WDFW that enough is enough. Tell them we want more liberal opportunities and get back to the 11-12 day season for elk. Open GMU's 560 and 346 to the general ML season as well. Also check the box to keep AR in its present season. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/aug1314c/

How are archers trying to steal your season out from under the muzzle loaders? And how does having the choice to use a bow during muzzleloader season affect anyone but the guy that chooses that over the muzzleloader? They are only limiting their range even more.

[adamR]

I think they should close the 342 to early muzzleloader and open it for a 4 day late season for cows and spikes two weeks after general season is over and before late archery starts

What would this accomplish?  Take away one of the few areas we have for general and make it a shorter season later?  Bethel and Nile will be packed!!!

I don't mind the general seasons as they are, muzzle gets first crack at umtanum and bethel for elk and archery gets little naches... I would like to see more permit opportunities for muzzle elk and deer though.

[bobcat]

342 is open for general muzzleloader. And most hunters don't want to switch the seasons, all they want is for the archery season to be a little later than it is currently. That change really won't affect the muzzleloader season.

I do agree it would be nice to have a few more GMU's open for muzzleloader season. And to have even just a couple on the east side for a late season. Because right now there is NOTHING open for late season if you have an east side tag. Except a couple GMUs that are nearly 100% private land and have very few elk.

I meant GMU 346, we used to have opportunity in there.

Oh yes, there was a late season. I hunted that once back in the mid 80's. I wish that was still an option.

[LDennis24]

Sounds to me like the archery hunter's came up with the idea of trading early season dates with muzzleloading early season dates, that could be considered them trying to steal the season away from muzzleloader's couldn't it?  They shouldn't be trying to take the muzzleloader's season dates away from them for the sake of archery hunter's. If you hunt archery and don't like the season, change weapon's. Don't try to take something from the other guy because you want it. That's stealing. I got tired of all the jackwagon's running around in suburbans during rifle season so I started hunting muzzleloader and I see alot less people now. Solved my problem without taking from someone else...

[bobcat]

I did see that swapping the archery and muzzleloader seasons was an option on the WDFW survey. But, I don't think I've heard one person say they're in favor of that.

Actually, it would be a great deal for muzzleloader hunters. If I were only a muzzleloader hunter I'd probably vote for it. But I hunt both. I pick whatever's best for me each year. If the muzzleloader season moved to September then I guess I'd be buying a muzzleloader tag more often than an archery tag.

[ctwiggs1]

I did see that swapping the archery and muzzleloader seasons was an option on the WDFW survey. But, I don't think I've heard one person say they're in favor of that.

Actually, it would be a great deal for muzzleloader hunters. If I were only a muzzleloader hunter I'd probably vote for it. But I hunt both. I pick whatever's best for me each year. If the muzzleloader season moved to September then I guess I'd be buying a muzzleloader tag more often than an archery tag.

   Give me first access with a ML?  Seems like a no brainer.  Heck yeah I'd take it.

[hughjorgan]

Sounds to me like the archery hunter's came up with the idea of trading early season dates with muzzleloading early season dates, that could be considered them trying to steal the season away from muzzleloader's couldn't it?  They shouldn't be trying to take the muzzleloader's season dates away from them for the sake of archery hunter's. If you hunt archery and don't like the season, change weapon's. Don't try to take something from the other guy because you want it. That's stealing. I got tired of all the jackwagon's running around in suburbans during rifle season so I started hunting muzzleloader and I see alot less people now. Solved my problem without taking from someone else...

Sounds more like a swap to me... I am not sure what the big deal is most archery guys just want a set date like it was 4 or so years ago. I also believe archery used to start in October in the past and muzzleloader was in September, so the proposal in the survey isn't really a new idea.

[ghosthunter]

It is going to be 90 degrees over there this  weekend. I am going over scouting.

I would not want first chance if it met you were hunting ML in the heat every year.

And I suspect that's, why there was a proposal to swap the seasons.

I got no problem with a guy hunting a muzzy tag with a bow.

I sure do not think a four days season is a good idea. Not worth the time and effort to scout and put up a camp. Might be ok if you lived close by.

[washelkhunter]

That 4 day hunt midweek in mid Nov in GMU 346 was awesome! A fabulous area, snow, cold days, freezing nights and elk everywhere. 

[WSU]

I did see that swapping the archery and muzzleloader seasons was an option on the WDFW survey. But, I don't think I've heard one person say they're in favor of that.

Actually, it would be a great deal for muzzleloader hunters. If I were only a muzzleloader hunter I'd probably vote for it. But I hunt both. I pick whatever's best for me each year. If the muzzleloader season moved to September then I guess I'd be buying a muzzleloader tag more often than an archery tag.

   Give me first access with a ML?  Seems like a no brainer.  Heck yeah I'd take it.

Killing a bull would be too easy.