"Take what you can get" or "Go big or go home"?

[Pete112288]

So I have started thinking more about my goals for putting in for tags, mainly the quality category.
Just looking for opinions because I know everyone could vary here.
So I had been putting in for probably some of the very top tags when it comes to competition for the draw. Some of the most put in for tags. The ones that produce most of the "once in a lifetime" animals that you hear about.
I figured I will take the animals I can get and wait to target a trophy for the "someday" when I draw a tag.
Well I began to think about it, it could be a long time if I ever draw one of those tags, I know its always possible but still.
The best two examples I can think of that I go back and fourth with is the Toutle and Nooksack.
I have been exclusively putting in for Nooksack. But I have began to think about how much more likely it may be for me to draw a Toutle tag. I know quality of Toutle bulls are not what they used to be, at least that's what I hear a lot of.
But for someone who has yet to get a branched bull it seems like something to go after.
So what would your opinion be?
Go big or go home and keep chasing that once in a lifetime even though it may never happen?
or
Take what you are more likely to get and go for the easier, closer to home, easier to scout, more probable to draw?
Oh and if it makes a difference with any of it, I am Muzzy, Westside

[coachcw]

Go big and work hard on general tags !

[haugenna]

Go big while you have points then once you draw that one go for the other easier units.

[huntnphool]

 You can hunt average critters during the general, "Go Big or Go Home"

[Mike450r]

go big

[MtnMuley]

It's all about how you handle the moment and what it means to you at the instant you pull the trigger. After all it is YOUR tag, and YOU set the perameters. Actually, "big" to some, is avg to others. This is a prime example of what "to each their own" means.

[jackelope]

It's all about how you handle the moment and what it means to you at the instant you pull the trigger. After all it is YOUR tag, and YOU set the perameters. Actually, "big" to some, is avg to others. This is a prime example of what "to each their own" means.

What this guy said.

With that said...its your hunt to hunt. Do what makes you happy.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[nwhunter]

Keep building your points for a quality hunt like Nooksack. Westside elk muzzie hunts especially this year aren't far off of what a Toutle hunt would be like in a general hunt unit. Some giant Rosies will hit the ground this fall on the coast if fire season doesnt shut it down.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

You can hunt average critters during the general, "Go Big or Go Home"

 

[furbearer365]

Since you haven't even shot a branched bull yet, I would pour my heart and soul into tagging one in a general season with an OTC tag, then call the draw a bonus and GO BIG!!! The only thing in your control is general season and an OTC tag, that would be my focus, because at least you sort of control your own destiny.  Draw tags are no sure thing, by no means.  There are plenty of general units and elk to be had, start your homework, and don't wait for the WDFW to help fulfill your dreams..   

[Jonathan_S]

There are plenty of general units and elk to be had, start your homework, and don't wait for the WDFW to help fulfill your dreams..   

 

I mean ssshhhh.

[Ridgerunner]

I'm in the camp go big on a special permit and hunt hard during general.

[furbearer365]

There are plenty of general units and elk to be had, start your homework, and don't wait for the WDFW to help fulfill your dreams..   

 

I mean ssshhhh.

     Just don't hunt in the ones that I hunt...      Or Jonathan's

[xXLojackXx]

I made that decision this year. Continue to stack points for a coveted tag (370+ potential) or draw a tag with 5-7 points and have 300-360" potential. I decided I'd rather draw 3 tags and have chances at 300-360" bulls, 3-4 times before drawing a tag to have a chance at ONE 350+ bull.

Remember, drawing a Blues or Nook tag doesn't guarantee you'll fill it. I'd rather have 3 or 4 chances at a "good" unit and put 3-4 good bulls on my wall than to have one chance at a "great" unit and put 1 great bull on my wall. For me it's about being able to hunt. Not completely about the quality of bulls.

[Tbar]

When you say "go big" you need to define what big is to you. Trophy hunting is a different game in and of itself.  Because of the lack of choices on the Westside we are forced to look at draws like the Nooksack as OIL  opportunities.  Unfortunate!  With the pressure of oil tags you have to then start ranking what you personally consider success.  Is it all about big antlers?  Passing the biggest bull you've ever seen while hunting? Another often overlooked element is who is along for the ride?  The true go big or go home guys often come back empty, empty with some of the greatest hunts that ever happened.
On a side note, the Nooksack isn't what it used to be either!

[Chesapeake]

Pretty well all them premier "Quality" tags have less than 1% draw odds, and maybe 20% odds you'll harvest a "Premier" bull.

1% odds means odds are you'll draw once in 100 years. Most of us only apply for 20-30 years.

= Its a dream you'll get a tag, and a slight reality you could get a great bull with the tag.

Or

You can go for a tag with say 10%+ draw odds, and a 3% chance of harvesting a "Premier" bull.

= Its a reasonable reality that you will get the tag, and a dream that you'll get a "Premier" bull with the tag.


Just depends if you want to dream with a tag application in hand, or dream with a weapon in your hand.


Specifically for you. I don't consider Toutle a "Quality tag" though there is the off chance a jumbo might wander by. Its "Bull" at best.

Are you jealous of the guys with Smith creek, Norway, Toutle tags? If so, then it would seem you know where you're heart is.

Oh and, points don't mean enough to make a difference anyhow. Last year 5, 8, 9, 18, and 19 point guys drew Nooksack.


ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 19 4 1 4 1
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 18 4 1 4 1
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 17 5 0 5 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 16 4 0 4 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 15 10 0 10 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 14 13 0 14 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 13 9 0 9 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 12 16 0 18 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 11 23 0 29 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 10 23 0 27 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 9 42 1 46 1
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 8 65 1 67 1
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 7 51 0 60 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 6 58 0 66 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 5 87 1 94 1
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 4 59 0 64 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 3 74 0 76 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 2 75 0 85 0
ELK QUALITY ELK 2029 NOOKSACK 5 5 1 98 0 100 0
 

[WSU]

There are plenty of elk all around you.  You have a fairly good chance of killing a bull every few years if you work at it. 

[jeffitz]

Im on the go big program,its just a mindset you get accustomed to every year.Put in for Smith Cr,Nooksack,etc(after being NOT SELECTED for multiseason of course) then get excited for general season when the time comes.West early muzz is gonna be fun this year

[3dvapor]

Go big!!!  Seriously think about hunting otc in another state.  If you did your homework i dont think you would be dissapointed and could very well be better than anything you could draw in 20years.  Guaranteed better than toutle!

[Pete112288]

I thank everyone for their input. I don't have the kind of money or time to hunt out of state, at least not for quite a while. I hardly manage a single trip to go scout my main area and that's only a 20 minute drive. I do hunt hard on general season, I tend to take as much time off as I can and don't rest at all between an hour before daylight to an hour after dark or so. I know with the time and effort I put in I will eventually get my bull, esp with the early muzzy season this year. I was just curious on what everyone's opinions would be here. I really don't know size class of elk first hand, never picked up on what a bull of XYZ inches really looks like. From what I have seen posted on here and by looking on google I would say for a trophy that I would happily pay for a mount and be content if I never beat it, would be anything 250+ for the most part. There is just always that little part of me that really wants a jaw dropper.