2015 Muzzleload seasons

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Oh yeah this is going to be a heck of a year!

[bobcat]

There isn't much change to the Yakima units for early muzzleloader. The only change I see is Bethel (360) is no longer open for early muzzleloader.

There are several new GMU's open in the southeast. 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 175, and 178.

What I'm wondering, is how many people will be hunting Margaret?


Edit: just noticed Teanaway (335) and Quilomene (329) will be open for early muzzleloader

[Naches Sportsman]

There isn't much change to the Yakima units for early muzzleloader. The only change I see is Bethel (360) is no longer open for early muzzleloader.

There are several new GMU's open in the southeast. 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 175, and 178.

What I'm wondering, is how many people will be hunting Margaret?

I read it as through 368. As there isnt a comma before 368 and the through isn't crossed out.

Also, the quality muzzy hunters get the short end of the stick it they draw in my eyes.  They will be with thousands of other huntersduring general muzzy compared to the other weapons choices and their hunts.

[Naches Sportsman]

I think a smart person should wear orange during muzzy season this year with the amount of people going to hunt that season.

[bobcat]

There isn't much change to the Yakima units for early muzzleloader. The only change I see is Bethel (360) is no longer open for early muzzleloader.

There are several new GMU's open in the southeast. 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 175, and 178.

What I'm wondering, is how many people will be hunting Margaret?

I read it as through 368. As there isnt a comma before 368 and the through isn't crossed out.

Also, the quality muzzy hunters get the short end of the stick it they draw in my eyes.  They will be with thousands of other huntersduring general muzzy compared to the other weapons choices and their hunts.

You're right, sorry, Bethel is open. I just looked real quick and saw it was crossed out.

Most of the quality archery permits are at the same time as the general archery season as well.

[fishngamereaper]

Just make sure the bait by your cams is gone before you hunt an area, those rules are interesting. Also looks like next years muzzy dates are even better. They sure jacked up the modern elk permit dates. Moved any bull a week later in most areas, that's not really even worth wasting points on. Guess its multi season or bust this year.

[blackveltbowhunter]

If the goal is to kill a bull, this is the season/weapon no doubt. Those dates combined with the units it will be like clubbing baby seals.

[floatinghat]

 

If the goal is to kill a bull, this is the season/weapon no doubt. Those dates combined with the units it will be like clubbing baby seals.

I expect a lot of this mis-direction.  I don't think the percentage of animals taken will vary significantly from the past.  What it does do is open some additional units.  That will add hunters thinking that it will that opportunity to get in on the gold rush early.  Is it positive for muzzy hunters yes, IMO the impact to the herd will be lower than archery. I am not planning on changing from muzzy to archery or modern but this wouldn't make me change from one of those methods to muzzy.    A significant number of these units have access permits and are known hoof rot units.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

There will be some big Bulls killed this year.  I say they have finally listened to the hunters.

[bobcat]

I'm having a very hard time trying to decide what to do. Should I try the new, later archery season? Or one of the new units in the early muzzleloader season? Or, should I go modern and expect to see a lot less orange in the woods, because everyone else is going archery or muzzleloader this year.

Will there be any bulls left to hunt by the time rifle season gets here?   

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm having a very hard time trying to decide what to do. Should I try the new, later archery season? Or one of the new units in the early muzzleloader season? Or, should I go modern and expect to see a lot less orange in the woods, because everyone else is going archery or muzzleloader this year.

Will there be any bulls left to hunt by the time rifle season gets here?   

I'm wondering that too bobcat.  And with the new units open, they adjusted special permits for modern too.  The permits look to start the day after archery and end the day before muzzy.  Used to have a cool off time between.

[jeffitz]

Time to dust off the muzzloader for sure,this is cool

[bigbeamhunter]

I see it being a great year for mz but for the true muzzleloaders it will be crowded and in a couple years when the bull count is down. You'll be hunting spikes and cows even on the west side. You can thank those who pushes for it then. I'm a archery hunter although the season might be betteri l had know problem with it the way it was. Hunt harder

[bobcat]

I'm not sure if the muzzleloader season will be more crowded or not. With all the additional open units, maybe it will be less crowded? It all depends on how many people decide to take up muzzleloading, who have not before.

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm not sure if the muzzleloader season will be more crowded or not. With all the additional open units, maybe it will be less crowded? It all depends on how many people decide to take up muzzleloading, who have not before.

I'm guessing a lot less crowded (unless a bunch of bowhunters go under the muzzy tag, but with a 12-24 bow season that would be weird).  For example when I did muzzy the early units for the peninsula was 607,602,603.  603 was pretty limited so it was really only 602 and 607.  Last year with the Rayonier permits/leases, 602 became really limited.  So 607 was getting packed.  But now with 615 and 612 to be opened, it should really allow folks to spread out.  So much land/roads in 615.  I would guess that 607 will seem like a 'normal' general season now.