I have to give you credit.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

As a person who last ML hunted in 1986, I have to give you guys that have been hunting WM for animals.
As a bowhunter I never really paid any attention to your (ml) seasons.
My daughter, Brigette, that has been bothering me for a couple years to get her in a hunter safety course, took and passed with 100% at 11 years of age.
She shoots a 35# recurve at 20 yards alright, but no way I would let her hunt anything larger than a porcupine with a bow.
I got on this forum, asking about a ML that would work for a youth, and one of our members actually gave us a .50 CVA "Eclipse" !!
So I began to plan a ML hunt this season.
Checked all the harvest reports for several seasons.
I looked for largest harvest in numbers, thinking that the best chance I have for an area to hunt.
Found a unit that was open for "any deer", because my daughter is 11, and any game animal will be her first and I want to stack the odds for success, in my experience it is easier to shoot a deer than an elk.

To those of you that have been WM hunting for a while, it sure is amazing that I don't hear more complaining.
It is tough to find somewhere on the west side for early ML that is open, AND HUNTABLE !
If you do not purchase a permit with one of the landowners, you are pretty limited.
As a Bowhunter since 1987, I thought my season had been messed with but if I was forced to the limited choices for early season, I would never trade my 2 weeks in September for your one week in October.

[bobcat]

That's a very accurate observation. There was at one time one good elk unit open for early muzzleloader, but they changed that one to a late season about three years ago.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Late season has more and better options, but as a Bowhunter, I love the bugle.
Thought first week of October, no sweat.
I could do it in a 1000 places, none of them are open 
Quinault Ridge ?
If I could get to it in my minivan...

[RadSav]

I agree. 

Was thinking of hunting with my bow during early muzzy season since I picked up the MS tag.  Figured I'd hunt close to home in the Coweeman...Nope!  OK let's hit the Winston or Mossyrock as I have a pass...Nope, try again.  Alrighty then, Bear Creek and Willapa Hills should be fabulous this time of year...Nope no season there either   Satsop - Nope! Packwood - Nope! Stampede - Nope! Lewis River - Nope

Maybe I'll join 140 other hunters in the 2 square mile Yale unit!  Or better yet...watch the Seahawks game from the comfort of my couch!

Quinault Ridge ?
If I could get to it in my minivan...

If I can fit a 7X7 in the trunk of an Audi 5000 you should be able to fit one in a minivan!  Though I did have to get very creative getting the horns inside that car.  Don't like guys seeing what I've shot and where when coming out of the woods.

[JimmyHoffa]

That's a very accurate observation. There was at one time one good elk unit open for early muzzleloader, but they changed that one to a late season about three years ago.

Are you talking eastside?  I think the westside has some pretty good early muzzy units.  Biggest problem is there are so few overall, that it seems anything open is really crowded. 
 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Problem is not the fit, its the ability to get to a trail. If I can get it on my back, I will get it to and on the vehicle, but my minivan does not do logging roads very well.
I feel that myself, I could have a good hunt.
But there is no way my 11 y/o daughter is going to hike 15 miles a day looking for elk and think it is fun.
My season (Archery) I can drive on pavement all the way to several gates.
Not open.
Best unit according to the numbers (Harvest Reports) is 652.
I know an area that has a decent herd, but NO ACCESS.
I used to hunt areas there in the 70's and 80's, before access fees.
WM is forced to pay access fees if they want to hunt unless they live in unit.

[h2ofowlr]

More options on the east side for muzzle loader hunting.