No more general ML elk for me.

[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.