If you drew Multi-Season and just wanted your first branch?...

[Pete112288]

For those of you that know the SW region of the state. If you were drawn for multi-season elk tag and you really were just pushing to get your first branch antlered bull what season and area do you think would be a good focus point? Also, what special tags would you put in for? I have been dreaming and putting in for Nooksack for years but am starting to think more about muzzy or archery and put in for Toutle just to drop my first branched bull. I know the Coweeman (the south half) probably best out of any unit I can think of. I know some Toutle (mostly south end as well), I know a little in the Yale and some Battle Ground. Been into a little in Willipa hills once. I can only manage one week maybe two throughout the fall to take off work. When would you take it? I primarily hunt muzzy now but have put in a few years in each of the 3 weapon types. I was SUPER close to dropping my first branch bull in early muzzy this year just didn't get a shot in the thick stuff. I don't want anyone to give up all the juicy stuff, just an idea of what you might do given a multi tag and cant afford to hunt too far from home and really just want to get your first branched bull, no matter how raggedy of a rag horn it might be.

[bobcat]

You didn't draw multi season this year, correct? You're asking what to do if you draw next year? If so, if you really want to kill a bull, put in for east side permits, archery or muzzleloader. There's really not much left on the west side worth applying for.

[rackattack]

Honestly, stick with the muzzy early season in the Coweeman or go a little further and learn the area north of Swift.  If you have a lot of quality points don't waste them on the Toutle, no matter how bad you want a bull.  The other units will probably give you a better chance anyways. 

[Bob33]

On average you will draw a multi season elk permit every eight years.

[Pete112288]

That's about where I am at Bob, for next year I will have 8 points in for multi-elk.

You are correct bobcat, I am asking about next year. I thought about applying east side if I draw multi-season. Not sure where to start. May ask a couple buddies that deer hunt east side if they have experience getting into elk. If not I may just go off of harvest stats and what info I read on here and otherwise throw a dart blindfolded at the wall to pick east side hunts to put in for.

rackattack. That is generally what I was thinking. Some of the best time I had this year in early season and best chances at a bull were in the areas I know in the Coweeman, nothing bigger than a respectable 4 pt but I don't care. It was fun and I got on bulls. I think about Toutle just to get away from pressure but really with the Weyco permit and such I only saw 5 other hunters in the Coweeman and 3 admitted they were just road hunting so I guess pressure really shouldn't be the issue.

For next year I will have 8 points in multi-elk, 9 in Quality Elk, and 6 or 7 in Bull elk.

[bobcat]

Your points are almost exactly what I have, and I have the same dilemma. Not sure what to do next year. Honestly don't know if I even want to pay $180 for the multi-season tag. Want to apply for east side archery or muzzleloader tags, but don't like the fact that if I don't draw, I can only hunt spikes. In that case, I wouldn't hunt at all. Tough decision for sure. I'm almost to the point of not even buying an elk tag in Washington and go to Idaho instead.

[kentrek]

Don't put in for toutle....put in to the mudflow muzzy and youl get your branched bull

Since your near woodland you can scoute easy and have a solid game plan (I can help you out alot)...if you draw an east side tag you'd be at square one unless you got help from a member

More then likely youl kill a bull next year regardless of the special tag 

[RB]

Same boat here not sure what to put in for I have 12 Quality Bull points (13 next year) and have only done modern firearm. I have been putting in for west side tags last 4-5 years (Nooksack, Margaret, Toutle) but have not drawn. I have considered applying east but have not been there in 12 years when I drew my only quality tag. Also have never used any other weapon for hunting.

[huntingbaldguy]

You didn't draw multi season this year, correct? You're asking what to do if you draw next year? If so, if you really want to kill a bull, put in for east side permits, archery or muzzleloader. There's really not much left on the west side worth applying for.

I disagree but will just disagree and not state my case.   

[bobcat]

You didn't draw multi season this year, correct? You're asking what to do if you draw next year? If so, if you really want to kill a bull, put in for east side permits, archery or muzzleloader. There's really not much left on the west side worth applying for.

I disagree but will just disagree and not state my case.   

That's fine, it's just a matter of opinion. I do think there are some good permits on the west side, it's just that the odds of drawing are so low that you can't count on drawing them.

[Big6bull]

So many general season options with multi tag.  Put in for hard to draw quality hunts east side then grind out the general seasons 

[blackveltbowhunter]

IMO... If you are limited on time. Skip mulitseason altogether. Continue to build points and then actually apply to draw when you have a bit more time to work with. If Muzzy is your most comfortable weapon and you are having some encounters now, I would probably put in for draws on the westside coinciding with that weapon choice and put the money for the multi tag towards a access pass, equipment upgrades, scouting gas etc... my 

  It sounds like your in a good spot now. I would continue to build on that.

[buckandbullminingco]

On average you will draw a multi season elk permit every eight years.

weird our camps got multi elk every other year

[bobcat]

IMO... If you are limited on time. Skip mulitseason altogether. Continue to build points and then actually apply to draw when you have a bit more time to work with. If Muzzy is your most comfortable weapon and you are having some encounters now, I would probably put in for draws on the westside coinciding with that weapon choice and put the money for the multi tag towards a access pass, equipment upgrades, scouting gas etc... my 

  It sounds like your in a good spot now. I would continue to build on that.

Good post.

[Bob33]

On average you will draw a multi season elk permit every eight years.

weird our camps got multi elk every other year

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/results/results.php

In 2014 there were 9,647 applications for 1,000 permits.