Elk Muzzloader in GMU 328

[TriggerMike]

For the last 10 years I've hunted in 342 Umtanum during the muzzleloader elk season but I'm looking to switch it up due to the fact that the last few years have been pretty slow in there. I used to live in Ellensburg and I'm very familiar with the entire Colockum area, I know 328 like the back of my hand. I've spent time up there during both Archery and Mod Fire elk so I know exactly what to expect as far as hunter numbers goes. With that being said, since last year was the first year for muzzy elk up there, I was hunting in 342 so I wasn't able to check out the crowds. I'm wanting to switch to 328 for muzzy this year but could use some input from anyone who hunted there last year and who has hunted either archery or mod fire at some point up there as well. What were the hunter numbers last year compared to archery and mod fire? I want to make a decision on where I'll be hunting this Fall before the report comes out in mid May for special permit purposes. Any opinions on how crowded it was or wasn't, or even overall quality of the season, would be greatly appreciated.

[jstone]

Archery was crazy cause the cows where open to all archery hunters. Also the clowns on the four wheelers are a pain in the ass. And they don't stay where they are supposed to. If you know the area get away from the roads and camps and that's where they will be. Good luck

[TriggerMike]

Archery was crazy cause the cows where open to all archery hunters. Also the clowns on the four wheelers are a pain in the ass. And they don't stay where they are supposed to. If you know the area get away from the roads and camps and that's where they will be. Good luck

Thanks for the tip but I'm not curious about where the elk will or wont be, I know where they like to hangout up there. I'm really only curious about the crowds/hunter numbers relative to other muzzleloader GMUs and about how the number of muzzy hunters compares to the number of archery and mod fire hunter numbers in 328. The crowds are pretty much my number 1 concern during the season.

[b.roberts]

I hunt 328.  This past year, during muzzle loader season, there were many fewer camps and hunters than what I saw in 342 the year before.

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[Duckhunter14]

It was a zoo in there for all three seasons. I was either hunting or helping others during all three seasons and the unit was crawling. Obviously there are a ton of elk in the unit, but with all the pressure during the archery hunt the elk went steep and deep. Very few guys venture farther than a mile from the road but that is what it took last year. Be ready to hike and you'll find the elk.

[palousehunter]

Went up during archery and saw Elk getting chased By $wheelers and even saw gator up be hind we normal camp with bows drawn and shooting at elk, We did see elk but they were really spooked will try again this year

[180-GRAIN]

Curious with the crowds mentioned during muzzy last year what you guys think a quality muzzy bull tag in there would be like? Good chance to still shoot a monster or do you think they will be spooked out of the country.

[klickman]

The elk are definitely more on edge after the archers and with muzzy hunters right after. There is a lot of activity and the big boys are big for a reason.


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[180-GRAIN]

The elk are definitely more on edge after the archers and with muzzy hunters right after. There is a lot of activity and the big boys are big for a reason.


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So your saying I may have just blown my 15 points? 

[Rainier10]

I can say that there were more archers in there this year than in past years. There were almost as many muzzy guys as archers and there were still way more modern guys than archers.

Lots of people.  If you know where the elk are already it doesn't matter unless you just don't like to see a lot of hunters on you way to where the elk are.  I am not sure what you are going to do.

Once they get the herd thinned down to where they want it you will see lots less people as I am sure they will reduce the seasons and there just won't be as many elk.

Opening day we saw lots of elk and shot one 1/2 mile from the road in the morning.  Shot another one later in the day 1 1/2 miles from the road and a week later shot one 6 miles from the road.

[Gringo31]

Over 550 elk were REPORTED harvested in 328 last year.  Over 3000 people hunted and averaged spending over 8 days each hunting....


They'll be back. 

General season link
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_gmu.php?District=8

[Rainier10]

Over 550 elk were REPORTED harvested in 328 last year.  Over 3000 people hunted and averaged spending over 8 days each hunting....


They'll be back. 

General season link
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_gmu.php?District=8

Am I missing something?  I am only seeing 373 total elk harvested and over 3,000 hunters.

[jstone]

Unless I am missing something does that not include any bull permits?

[jstone]

There was a couple big bulls killed during archery

[Gringo31]

Am I missing something?  I am only seeing 373 total elk harvested and over 3,000 hunters.

Yes, that is the general season only.
    Antlerless Antlered Total Harvest   1 Point   2 Point   3 Point   4 Point   5 Point   6+ Point

GMU 328   384   168   552   160   0   0   0   1   7



http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_combo_dist_all.php

[Bob33]

Over 550 elk were REPORTED harvested in 328 last year.  Over 3000 people hunted and averaged spending over 8 days each hunting....


They'll be back. 

General season link
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_gmu.php?District=8

Am I missing something?  I am only seeing 373 total elk harvested and over 3,000 hunters.

That is general season only. Add special permits harvest:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_sp_gmu_all.php

[Rainier10]

Am I missing something?  I am only seeing 373 total elk harvested and over 3,000 hunters.

Yes, that is the general season only.
    Antlerless Antlered Total Harvest   1 Point   2 Point   3 Point   4 Point   5 Point   6+ Point

GMU 328   384   168   552   160   0   0   0   1   7



http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2015/reports/elk_combo_dist_all.php

that link makes more sense.

[Rainier10]

Good golly that is a ton of spikes. Just think if they shut it down for a year how many bulls they would have.