ELK Bowhunting Dates 2015??

[huntnnw]

Bought my last WA archery elk tag in this state in 2014....Ill hunt the muzzy season from now on

[JimmyHoffa]

The only reason they should change dates is because of the heat and fire danger. Not to make it easier I've never had a problem with the season. If it's hard hunt harder call better. Although I like elk screamin all around me.

Bowhunters have five seasons to choose from.  If the risk of heat and fire is too much they could always opt for muzzy or modern tags (though the orange would keep most from that one).  And those concerns vanish during late seasons. 

[Crunchy]

Not sure why we can learn from Oregon elk management.  I think this year like last archery season will be from Aug 29 to Sept 29.  I will be hunting Oregon from Sept 19-29.  Should be full on rut.

[floatinghat]

sure hope they move muzzy earlier and open a some additional units. The archery guys have done a great job at presenting a unified front and it sounds like they will benefit.  Might just consider making the change.

earlier? you guys get the rut almost every year.. the first week of oct is awesome hunting for elk...

Might need you to point me where the rut is active because it's not where I hunt the west side. 

[WapitiTalk1]

Until this state gives "archery" elk hunters the last two weeks of September, I'll continue to spend the bulk of my hunting dollars in a state that does.  If WA would do this, their OOS tags would skyrocket as a ton of OOS elk hunters have a Roosey on their bucket list. This is what they don't get for some reason. Just because you have the rut for archery season doesn't necessarily mean the success rate will increase; it's just a matter of being able to locate them when they're vocal and try to get close with stick and string.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Not sure why the comments about " no need for quality permits".... Thats laughable. With a couple exceptions the Westside "QUALITY" bull tags are really "BULL" tags. The open units are not given a preferential season only the opportunity to hunt that unit during your general season. I will not deny this may help to improve the "quality" of those hunts.

 

[tonymiller7]

Called WDFW today as I am trying to request my time off for the year.  Their reply was look at the 2009 regulations, although they wouldn't guarantee the dates would be the same, they said that it is what they are recommending people use as a guideline.

[bobcat]

It does make sense to look at the 2009 dates, since that year the calendar is the same as the 2015 calendar.

The exception would be early archery elk. The rumor is it will be moved back a little. So don't rely on 2009 season dates for that.

[stackemup]

It will be a September 12th opener.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

 
I honestly would be VERY surprised if it opened the 12, and we were allowed any more than the 23rd to hunt.
I once was told that the only way that anyone would be allowed to hunt the last week of September, would be a special permit.
We used to have the first week of October.
Now the ML get that.
One reason why switching the seasons was an option on the survey.. 
The question, as I understood it, was to either continue opening the Tuesday after Labor Day, the *th of Sptember (no matter what day) , or swapping with the ML...

Did I fill out a different questionairre than you?

How did the 12th of September come into this discussion?

I could only hope...

No question of getting into animals, but getting into them when they are "hot" is why I do it.

I love the rut, but would rather pack an elk out in the late season.
September is all about the fun of calling to me, and I hear more bugling happening by real elk in August than I hear from anybody (hunters and elk combined) during the first 2 weeks of September.
Not saying they dont come in, just more often than not it is silence broken by a twig instaed of a full on bushwack.
So, the late the better...
Big bull at close range screaming and rearranging the scenery...

Or Satelite bull sneaking in on you downwind side...

The rut might not guarrantee an animal, but studies have shown that most breeding occurs on or before Oct 1st, and cows are only in estrus for a 12 hour period beginning in August then a 3 week cycle, until bred.  They really are not all ready during the first phase, the bulls are still in the advertisement mode and only a few cows get bred, so the last week of September is like spring break.
The ability to find and harvest an animal is less influenced by when, compared to how long it takes to find them.
It is easier to find them when thet are more vocal..

[bobcat]

The 12th would be the first Saturday after Labor Day, which was one of the options on the survey. Was it not?

That still would have the season ending before the last week of September.

[Jonathan_S]

I'm thinking the 5th, 6th or 7th for opening day.   

They won't open the season on Labor Day weekend, so those dates arue out. If they kept it the same as it has been, opening the day after Labor Day, then it would open on the 8th.

But it sounds to me like they're finally giving in to the people whining for a later season, and I'm betting on a September 12th opening day.

whining huh?

Color me a whiner   

[bobcat]

I'm thinking the 5th, 6th or 7th for opening day.   

They won't open the season on Labor Day weekend, so those dates arue out. If they kept it the same as it has been, opening the day after Labor Day, then it would open on the 8th.

But it sounds to me like they're finally giving in to the people whining for a later season, and I'm betting on a September 12th opening day.

whining huh?

Color me a whiner   

Well if the rumor is true, the whining worked for ya, so good job!

[stackemup]

Its more then less set in stone for the 12th. Muzzy guys also gained a lot of ground this year for elk.

[go4steelhd]

What units are they adding for muzzy elk?