No more general ML elk for me.

[washelkhunter]

After years of hard hunting and bitter disappointment in a once worthwhile endeavor I'm hanging it up on these spike only ML hunts. It's no longer worth the effort, time and money. I'll only take to the field for elk from now on if I draw a special permit. Adios ML season, congrats to WDFW, you've destroyed it.

[snowpack]

Could hunt west side.  then chase bulls.  Some really good units open too.

[washelkhunter]

Could hunt west side.  then chase bulls.  Some really good units open too.

I'll look at that, but i have zero interset in hunting diseased animals, we always hunted the Yakima herd. We are going to look toward Mt & Co.

[CP]

I came to the same conclusion; this is my last season for general ML elk.  I tried hunting GMU 335.

True spike only, 7 days, after the rut, before any cold weather = not much chance of success.

Modern isn’t much better.

But archery gets 26 days, split early and late.  They can take a cow.  Cows are not a slam dunk, but a true spike is about as common as bigfoot. 

I need to get a bow.

[scottcrb]

We've been hunting ML elk for the last five years in 340 342 and 336 . This year was by far our best with most chances and elk.seen/ heard. We only went 1 for 3 taking a spike and all had cow tags. Lots of bulls around not a lot of cows . I agree ML gets the short end of the stick with short season and no good options for late Eastside . Plus only one weekend during the general sucks. I'll keep at it though . Might go sight.in my ML in the middle of the best areas during the modern season and see if those guys like it . Rant over for time being.

[jasnt]

We've been hunting ML elk for the last five years in 340 342 and 336 . This year was by far our best with most chances and elk.seen/ heard. We only went 1 for 3 taking a spike and all had cow tags. Lots of bulls around not a lot of cows . I agree ML gets the short end of the stick with short season and no good options for late Eastside . Plus only one weekend during the general sucks. I'll keep at it though . Might go sight.in my ML in the middle of the best areas during the modern season and see if those guys like it . Rant over for time being.

wouldn't bother me one bit lol. I've watched deer and other critters while some guys where burning threw rounds like crazy just few hundred yards away and they never pay them no mind. I really don't think it bothers them unless its real close to them.  I often hunt a valley that's just below a very popular shooting spot. Those critters seem to not notice even when its me shooting at them lol.

[pianoman9701]

Next year is archery year, Tom. With the season September 8-20, we'll get the rut and some cooler, rainier weather. Throw sticks with us, Tommy. We're also finding a new unit, or at the very least a new area.

[MarkyMark]

"Might go sight.in my ML in the middle of the best areas during the modern season and see if those guys like it ." ... Word.

[washelkhunter]

That reminds me, one day I was sighting in at the range and this guy sets in 2 seats down with a heavy magnum with a muzzle brake installed and it was truly obnoxious. I dropped in 200 grains of ffg bpowder with just a swab patch for a wad and when the wind shifted toward him I lit the cap off. He got the hint and left; coughing.   

[MarkyMark]

Nice.

[scottcrb]

That reminds me, one day I was sighting in at the range and this guy sets in 2 seats down with a heavy magnum with a muzzle brake installed and it was truly obnoxious. I dropped in 200 grains of ffg bpowder with just a swab patch for a wad and when the wind shifted toward him I lit the cap off. He got the hint and left; coughing.   

Nice work I like that

[usmc74]

I grew up hunting the Colokum.  Had a friend in the service laughed at me, saying he killed his elk within hearing of my house.

I've hunted westside ever since.  Archery for 25+ years, now ML (my shoulders don't do bows now).  Saw 2 bulls, had 2 shots this year(clean miss first one), the second one came home with me.  4X4 bull, and first muzzy kill.

I've hunted St Helens, Raymond, Oly Peninsula, Colombia R., Birdsview, White R.,and Snoqualmie.  Taken elk in a lot of them (bulls).  Only cows I killed were with permits in Colokum.  My avatar is a westside bull, 1993.

[splitshot]

   I am going back to modern cuz the permit choices are a lot better.  they should put ml in with modern for draws.  at  least there will be a chance.  the ml over 60 did not even have a draw for e. Washington.     mike w

[JimmyHoffa]

   I am going back to modern cuz the permit choices are a lot better.  they should put ml in with modern for draws.  at  least there will be a chance.  the ml over 60 did not even have a draw for e. Washington.     mike w

I would say my main reason for going to modern was the lack of special permits for ML.  Modern also gets a lot more units.  I was thinking the other day if they gave more permits, it still wouldn't quite entice me back.  The reason is since I went modern, they allowed bowhunters to hunt the muzzy tag and all the places I used to go are more crowded now than even during modern.  Before I would see one to three other trucks a week, now those areas have about a dozen a day.  Something else may be behind the newly seen crowding, but that is what I've come up with.

[usmc74]

This year I saw 3 trucks, other than my partners.  Only saw 1 other hunter in the woods

[splitshot]

the problem is too many people and thus too many hunters.   I remember in the blues you could shoot any bull.  the deer season was a month long in e. wash.  more people less hunt time.   mike w

[Turner89]

We've been hunting ML elk for the last five years in 340 342 and 336 . This year was by far our best with most chances and elk.seen/ heard. We only went 1 for 3 taking a spike and all had cow tags. Lots of bulls around not a lot of cows . I agree ML gets the short end of the stick with short season and no good options for late Eastside . Plus only one weekend during the general sucks. I'll keep at it though . Might go sight.in my ML in the middle of the best areas during the modern season and see if those guys like it . Rant over for time being.

wouldn't bother me one bit lol. I've watched deer and other critters while some guys where burning threw rounds like crazy just few hundred yards away and they never pay them no mind. I really don't think it bothers them unless its real close to them.  I often hunt a valley that's just below a very popular shooting spot. Those critters seem to not notice even when its me shooting at them lol.

I have a spot that's similar to that. I was watching a nice buck opening morning a couple years ago, and couldn't believe that he didn't even flinch when a guy was shooting away within 200yds.

[MarkyMark]

What bums me out is for late western ML I don't have a Weyco permit for the units that are open or know a thing about the puyallup unit which is the other option. My own short-sightedness I admit. But it would have been nice to have some units on the harbor or peninsula open for late ML. Live and learn.

[JimmyHoffa]

What bums me out is for late western ML I don't have a Weyco permit for the units that are open or know a thing about the puyallup unit which is the other option. My own short-sightedness I admit. But it would have been nice to have some units on the harbor or peninsula open for late ML. Live and learn.

There are a few units open for late in those areas, three of them.

[Mudman]

I hunted modern years ago.  Pumpkins all over.  Hated it.  Switched to front stuffers before these fancy rifle inliners.  Wasnt too bad.  Saw the light and went archery.  Muzzleloader in this state is equal to bending over...  But the puyallup unit is a good one if you know some people and the area real good.  Lincoln used to be ok.  Mashel=Elbe??? its good if its open?  I see alot more animals archery, just cant shoot at em at 175 yards.  Some day enough people will see the light and the season will be cut way back.

[washelkhunter]

Next year is archery year, Tom. With the season September 8-20, we'll get the rut and some cooler, rainier weather. Throw sticks with us, Tommy. We're also finding a new unit, or at the very least a new area.

That'll probably happen, I'm due for the MS elk in 15.

[Bob33]

It appears your experience was shared by others as well. That's unfortunate.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,162416.0.html

[deadwoodbuck]

After years of hard hunting and bitter disappointment in a once worthwhile endeavor I'm hanging it up on these spike only ML hunts. It's no longer worth the effort, time and money. I'll only take to the field for elk from now on if I draw a special permit. Adios ML season, congrats to WDFW, you've destroyed it.

   well I guess i'm not alone...WDFW does a great job taking our money and not even sending us any KY jelly to smooth out the action.  they really do seem to be interested in the cashish not management of good hunting herds...

[usmc74]

It has been pointed out to me that I was in error.

There are no elk in western Washington.

[Jacque]

They,re here, it's just getting harder and harder to find them. We harvested 4 out of 6 hunters in our camp last year. 

[Soady]

Probably going to take a hit on this comment but since when was buying a license and a tag a guarrentee for an animal?

I agree that land is being locked, opportunities are being lost, herds are becoming sickly, archers are getting the prime time, pumpkins are everywhere, to many people/hunters everywhere, I don't know where to hunt, lack of permits.
But and that is a "big but," are you hunting to fill your freezer or are you hunting for the joy of the hunt with friends and family by teaching your hunting skills to a younger generation, while enjoying your time with the elders of your camp who built on times both lean and plenty while they taught you the path of a hunter.

As a hunter who always adapts and overcomes regardless of the circumstances I face during a hunt will I waver during these changing times?

I have watched my own success ratios dwindle yet there are those increasingly rare
times for a successful hunt with a younger generation who have no idea of what high success ratios are about and they light up and feel successful as a new breed of hunters in a closed minded world of people against hunting and all that our hunting heritage embraces.

I can embrace adapting and overcoming by moving to a target rich environment but never stop teaching and passing on your rich heritage that was freely passed on to you through your elders.

[Limhangerslayer]

I hunted the least I've hunted for muzzy elk this year opening weekend and Friday morning is all I had to hunt.  I've killed an elk in the unit I hunt five years in a row.  This year I hit and lost a spike on Friday and was sick at the loss.  Could of shot at another spike a few hours later looking for the bull I hit. This unit has a late archery cow and spike hunt and I think 470 cow tags between muzzy, modern and senior.  Plus it's way more open than bumping.  Elk are still doing fine.  Sometimes they are harder to find than other years

[Griz231]

I would stay away from archery.  It's too hot out that time of year and we never see any elk. Archery is too much work anyway.  I'd stick with muzzy.

[BOHNTR]

 My question is why does WDFW restrict the Muzzy hunters to only a few units on the Eastside, when the Bow hunters can pretty much hunt any unit.
With the season being as short as it is, I don't see why the WDFW does this, other than we are the smallest user group in the state. So we get dumped on and are supposed to like it 

[Mudman]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

[Griz231]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe! 

[washelkhunter]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

I would like to see a PW season, Primitive Weapons. Side lock muzzys with iron sights and round ball only. Wood recurves and longbows. consign the the compounds to MF but give them a 4 day head start. PW season to run from Sept 8th to Oct1st.   

[washelkhunter]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

I would like to see a PW season, Primitive Weapons. Side lock muzzys with iron sights and round ball only. Wood recurves and longbows. consign the the compounds to MF but give them a 4 day head start. PW season to run from Sept 8th to Oct1st.   

[Griz231]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

I would like to see a PW season, Primitive Weapons. Side lock muzzys with iron sights and round ball only. Wood recurves and longbows. consign the the compounds to MF but give them a 4 day head start. PW season to run from Sept 8th to Oct1st.   

Not a bad idea.  The other thing it would do is to encourage the kids to use PW and keep that stuff alive.

[Russ McDonald]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

You do know that you can't use a scope at all on any ML in WA while hunting deer or elk.  Plus you can't use 209 primers.  Have to use 10 or 11 caps.  Granted the inlines are still more technical then the old school side locks but shooting out there to 200 yards with open sights is a little crazy for sure.

[Yelper Guy]

You do know that you can't use a scope at all on any ML in WA while hunting deer or elk.

Hopefully he does now!

[gee_unit360]

Can't you use musket caps as well as 10 and 11 caps?

[Russ McDonald]

Can't you use musket caps as well as 10 and 11 caps?

Forgot to add that yes you can.  You could go crazy on your ML is your using it during MF season though.  Wide open with 209 caps and scopes.

[BOHNTR]

In line Muzzys are nothing new they have been around for a long time... what about the High tech archery gear it's not any different.
Just don't understand how stick shooters can get 2 weeks to hunt and ML only get 7. 

[logger]

I haven't been muzzy hunting for all that long but I do really like it EXCEPT for the crap units and season length and permit options!  Seriously though when I started eastside elk there was a late season and cow area's, man has that went south!I have since swithched to westside which permit wise is still very nill for qaulity units.

[Soady]

In line Muzzys are nothing new they have been around for a long time... what about the High tech archery gear it's not any different.
Just don't understand how stick shooters can get 2 weeks to hunt and ML only get 7. 

There is a greater coalition of archers banding together and petitioning WDFW for seasons and units. Muzzleloaders have never been that strong as there are the two camps of old school primitive and new school inline shooters quibbling over which one should be the dominate driving force to define the muzzleloading future. Try joining  any muzzleloading club with an inline modern muzzleloader and you will soon know that this is the case. Although you could save yourself some trouble by just rereading this thread.

[Soady]

Just don't understand how stick shooters can get 2 weeks to hunt and ML only get 7. 

7 weeks or days?

[BOHNTR]

 7 days, but you're right there are too many that want to fight amongst each other, when in lines and "traditional" muzzle loaders both load the same way.
In line muzzle loaders have been around for hundreds of years.
Check the Buffalo Bill gun museum in Cody, Wyoming there you will see many in lines that are very primitive.
I think that it's Idaho or Colorado next year for me.

[Jonathan_S]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

I would like to see a PW season, Primitive Weapons. Side lock muzzys with iron sights and round ball only. Wood recurves and longbows. consign the the compounds to MF but give them a 4 day head start. PW season to run from Sept 8th to Oct1st.   

Compounds to MF?  Glad you're not in charge

[Bean Counter]

I left WA and don't miss seeing 3x the amount of hunters to elk. Where I live now I can get a tag every 4-7 years and hunt 30-40:100 bull to cow herds as well as see hardly any other hunters. 300"+ bulls all over.

[erk444]

I think the advanced guns and tech allowing 100-200yard shots is what destroyed the front stuffers.  Either restrict the guns or the seasons.  I dont know but its alot different then when I used the old cva kentucky long.  100 yard shot was max. Seasons and units seem to get worse every cycle for powder.

I agree, change the muzzle to round ball old school no scope.  I'd go back to muzzy if that was the case.  Used to hunt it then too many pumpkins started showing up. Archery is getting more and more crowded every year too.

The good thing about the seasons getting more and more crowded is that hunting is alive and well and all these yuppies trying to shut it down are failing. We all need to continue to teach our kids and the young generation about ethical hunting and to respect the woods so that their kids and generations to come can enjoy it.

Ok, I'm loading the truck and gonna go kill me a doe!

Its funny to read the first line of your post your post when your avatar shows a compound with sights and carbon arrows

[Jonathan_S]

I left WA and don't miss seeing 3x the amount of hunters to elk. Where I live now I can get a tag every 4-7 years and hunt 30-40:100 bull to cow herds as well as see hardly any other hunters. 300"+ bulls all over.

I'm glad you enjoy your current situation BC.  The 4-7 years thing makes it unattractive to me.  I understand that it works there and who knows, it might work here but I am not jealous.

I'd rather hunt every year and kill a bull every 4-7 years than to hunt every 4-7 years and kill a bull.

No disrespect intended.   

[Bean Counter]

None taken, Jon. 

Yes this system requires patience. It has caused me to look into out of state options. I drew this year in my home state, and will try to draw in the next few years in another state.  Id rather spend the off years shooting photos or helping friends and coworkers who draw prized elk tags in the years that im not the hunter. Navigating the sea of pumpkin patch is what I find unattractive.