Is the multi-season tag a curse in disguise?

[pd]

I would like your opinion.  Let's limit the discussion to elk multi-season (ignore deer for this topic).

Background: I never play the trophy draw game, so I don't have any points accumulated in either the quality bull or bull elk categories.  Last year I hunted with a bow for the first time, and missed several opportunities to kill nice bulls (all due to my inexperience---a more experienced hunter would have tagged out, and one of my partners actually did kill a nice bull).  In previous years I hunted with a rifle, and have never hunted with a muzzleloader before.  I drew the multi-season tag this year.  If I were a points-builder, I could see the benefit of applying for multiple areas, multiple seasons.  But in my case it will just be a decision on which units, during which general season.

A couple of my hunting partners have had the multi-season elk tag in recent years, all very talented hunters, but none of them sealed the deal.  This lead me to the following question:  Is it better to concentrate on a single unit, and hunt it hard through 3 seasons, or is it better to bounce around, and join multiple buddies in different areas and different seasons?

My quandary is this: What is the chance that I focus on one area (known to hold quality elk), but get so fixated on a small area that I hunt through the season and never score?  Thus, can the multi-season tag be a curse in disguise??

(I know, some of you will say that a season spent hunting elk is a success even without using the tag.  That is not the point of this thread.)

[Westside88]

For me the appeal is to give me more options. That could be more time in an area I know well or the ability to hunt my preferred area and method while still being able to learn new areas and techniques. I for one would hunt new areas with friends if given the option, unless I had something solid in a known area.

[chester]

I can be a curse, all the extra seasons add up to more pressure because of the tag cost,fuel costs, time off work, and believe it or not some people can get burned out on elk hunting.
For your question if you have an area that holds elk and your party has had success there before I'd stick to the elk you know . You'll have plenty of time to catch them making a mistake. Don't leave elk to find elk.


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[JimmyHoffa]

Pretty good chance.  Only so many legal bulls out there in a given season. 

[RadSav]

Don't leave elk to find elk.

Good advise!

Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!

[buglebrush]

Two huge keys to being a successful elk hunter. 
1.  Know elk
2. Know your area.   

I would focus on being successful in your spot if you are consistently into elk. 

[jeffitz]

Its a valid point,id probably get skunked for sure if ever drew it,probably better off just stickin to what we know but the grass is always greener on the other side

[Piscatory_5]

The best thing would be of there were all three different hunt methods with seasons in your area giving you non stop hunting opportunities. I drew multi season deer last year and an archery buck permit for November. I usually hunt archery elk and rifle deer. Turns out I get a deer at end of rifle season so didn't even get to use the ms permit. $132 wasted. Not to mention the hour plus drive each way to get to the area the permit was for. I didn't even apply this year.

[dreamunelk]

What it really does is expand your opportunity to hunt.  For most it will not help you kill a bull.  A friend of mine drew last year and he passed many shots and had a great time.  He is a contractor and is now working like a demon to replace the expended funds.

Two huge keys to being a successful elk hunter. 
1.  Know elk
2. Know your area.   

I would focus on being successful in your spot if you are consistently into elk. 

Don't leave elk to find elk.

Good advise!

Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!

 


Curse?   Your wife may think so.

[pd]

Curse?   Your wife may think so.

A-hem.  We have just started to have that conversation.  Perhaps I should have waited until after Mother's Day to explain what a "multi-season tag" means.   

[coachcw]

Means more gear !

[pd]

Means more gear !

Are you serious?  I own more gear than you would see at a typical Cabela's retail store.  With the exception of snow camo, I have everything covered, sometimes twice over.

Exception: The one thing I don't own is a front stuffer.  Gear is not the problem, time is.

And, the Permission Slip.

[JimmyHoffa]

Need snow camo for the late seasons on the multi tag.

[pd]

Need snow camo for the late seasons on the multi tag.

Jimmy, go to bed!  You are a trouble maker.   

[coachcw]

I know about the time . when I hit the raffle  I hunted every weekend from sept 1st into December . with the exception of one when I had to go move my trailer from Tonasket . As hard as us guys work for our families the wives should be happy to greenlight a few more long weekends plus scouting time ...lol

[Katmai Guy]

   Amen!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Don't leave elk to find elk.

Good advise!

Doubling your time afield is never a curse, if you ask me!

 

[jeffro]

To me, elk hunting is a team sport.
Hunt with your buddies/mentor/experts.
It will come in handy when you have a nasty pack out.

[Ghost Hunter]

I'll find out when I stand in line for the left over tags.

[Magnum_Willys]

To me the big advantage is being able to apply for east side quality draws while still able to hunt with buddys on west side elk camps. 

[pd]

To me the big advantage is being able to apply for east side quality draws while still able to hunt with buddys on west side elk camps.

I get that, I really do.  But as I said previously, I don't apply for quality permits, so this is meaningless to me.  (For the guys with 10+ points, I can see how the multi-season elk tag would be really valuable.)  I guess it is similar to the situation faced by the gal or guy who buys the leftover tag on August 1st: No advantage for applying for draws, just more opportunity.

When I got the notice letter in the mail from WDFW I opened it and kept it on the dinner table for a few days.  Sorry, no dice.  My wife never even looked at it.  Hmmmm.  How to tell her I drew a "once-in-ten-years tag?"  How to get multiple weekends off for hunting? 

This is a curse.

[Tim in Wa.]

I know if I ever get drawn for elk multi season again my plan would be to hunt the early archery season than modern firearm than late archery all in the same area.That would allow me to be as familiar as possible with that particular GMU and plenty of time to recuperate and take care of other necessities of life in between.
 PD that WDF notification should have been right next to a dozen roses!   

[buglebrush]

I would be ecstatic for the multi season!  Every year i agonize over whether to go muzzy or archery.  Would totally cure that issue.   

[davidcperkins]

Of course it's a better option, draw or don't draw.  Say you limit yourself every year to an archery option only because you have to select a weapon choice.  If you did draw and pay the extra fee; wether you paid for draw options or not you are no limited to hunt a select weapon so essentially you have to option to hunt from sept 1 to December pending where you hunt in gmu's.  You don't shoot your elk in archery then try muzzleloader and or rifle.  If you do put in for these draws then it only helps you to draw a specific area for two weapon choices for quality and all 3 weapon choices for general bull or deer.


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