Why are success rates so low for muzzleloader elk??

[HoofsandWings]

I looked at the past harvest reports and noticed the success rate was not so great.
I was amazed at the number of muzzleloader tags issued.
Is there something I am missing as to why the sucess rate is so low?
Thanks

[CP]

Probably because a muzzleloader isn’t an easy weapon to master and it’s up close and personal hunting.

[Moose Eyes]

A lot of the permit areas are primarily on private property so access can be a problem.

[boneaddict]

It rained a bunch and some folks got their powder wet

[fishunt247]

I'd guess because of the short-range, open sights nature of the weapon. There are a lot of variables that go into hunting with these.

[fire*guy]

Because of the over hunting units that we are given to hunt   Also after a few days of road hunters all of the elk are in deep timber    Just my 

[ghgetter]

It rained a bunch and some folks got their powder wet

Thats no joke...had 2 buddies "blow" chances on 300"+ bulls this year c/ of the rain.

[HoofsandWings]

It rained a bunch and some folks got their powder wet

Thats no joke...had 2 buddies "blow" chances on 300"+ bulls this year c/ of the rain.

So it rained during muzzleloader season in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007??
fire*guy, I looked at some large units and there were only a hundred or so muzzleloader hunters compared to a thousand for modern rifle. I know some units have high ML turn out, but there are a bunch where the turnout was relatively low.
So I am confused.

[fishunt247]

Everything nearly has to be perfect, not quite as perfect as with a bow, but nearer to perfect. Around 100 yards is max, no running shots, no second shot, etc. If you were out listening to all the shots during muzzleloader season, then look at the harvest reports, you know there is a lot of missing going on.

[bobcat]

Look at the success rates for modern firearm in the same GMU's. They won't be much better. The success rates are low because for one thing the archery season is first. Second thing is muzzleloader season is just after the rut ends. That can be a tough time to find a bull. They are tired of chasing cows and are resting somewhere in an isolated spot and aren't moving around much. Third thing is the GMU's open for muzzleloader aren't necessarily the best units with the most elk. Basically elk hunting is just tough in this state anywhere you go due to the large number of hunters and relatively low numbers of elk, and success rates are very low whether you look at archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm seasons. Oh, and let's not forget about the indians who are out there all year killing any elk they can find within rifle range of a road.

[SHANE(WA)]

and alot of wounding, by far the worst of all weapons for elk. It was sickening talking to the IEP enforcement guy on mica a few years ago, there were 6 bulls wounded in one canyon we were hunting, 2 died in peoples yards, we found a dead spike. I heard of this in the cheney unit too, where my friend hunts. Alot of people dont understand muzzleloaders, the prep and shooting them, practice practice.Too many people think its a "gun" its totally different, the all lead is a huge reason too, over push a lead bullet and on impact it will flatten, fine line on powder charges and weight.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Shane the "by far the worst of all weapons for elk" is really your opinion. The reason for the wounded animals that were found dead in someones yard was either due to poor shot selection=poor judgement, or they didn't follow up and track the animal=poor hunter.

If you look at the units we get for the seasons you will find high road density, lots of clearcuts and deep canyons. ML can really shoot to 125-150 yards effectively with open sights, once you get past that range the animal becomes hidden by your sights. I am comfortable to 125. I like the time of year we get to hunt, yes the bulls have broken off from the groups of cows so they can be harder to find but that is why it is called hunting and not killing.

Road hunting is a detriment also, animals book it to deep canyons also. I like hunting the deep drainages, there are less people. I would like to see a few more units open for ML hunting, it would cut down on the over crowding.

[robodad]

And another thing is both the deer and elk seasons are run together and are usually very short so having to cram all your deer and elk hunting into 7 days gets kind of difficult to do, I see they have proposed to seperate them by a few days so maybe the harvest numbers will improve !!

and alot of wounding, by far the worst of all weapons for elk

I agree that this is only your opinion !! There will be lost animals in every weapon choice, I heard of five 3pt or better bulls wounded in early archery and not recovered in a westside unit by a group of 3 hunters and one was a guide so it happens to every group.

[colockumelk]

Everything nearly has to be perfect, not quite as perfect as with a bow, but nearer to perfect. Around 100 yards is max, no running shots, no second shot, etc. If you were out listening to all the shots during muzzleloader season, then look at the harvest reports, you know there is a lot of missing going on.

I disagree.  I killed my deer this year at 165 yds and can accurately shoot at 200 yds.  But I will agree that your average guy can only accurately shoot to 100yds because your average joe goes to the range the week before the season to check and make sure it's still on.  So I will agree on that most people can't shoot a ML for crap.

Second thing is muzzleloader season is just after the rut ends. That can be a tough time to find a bull. They are tired of chasing cows and are resting somewhere in an isolated spot and aren't moving around much.

Bobcat I'm not sure what the seasons are over on the west side but on the east side it hits the tail end of the rut.  I've noticed that in WA the rut starts later than many other states.  During the ML season the bulls are desperate running around trying to grab the remaining cows that havn't been bred yet.  THey are extremely easy to call at this time.  In my opinion the best special permits out there are the ML tags.  They are at the tail end of the rut, and are super aggressive, you have the season to yourself for the first few days and there are less ML hunters out there and you can reach out to 150yds if you practise, and there's less ML hunters than rifle or bow hunters.

Here's my opinion on the matter.  They don't have as many areas so the hunters get compacted into small areas.  Most are prior rifle hunters that use the same tactics they used when they hunted with a rifle except now they have a rifle,  IE road hunt, set up on a big ridge etc.  Most guys can't shoot for crap.  WHen they hunted with a rifle they'd go out the week before and make sure their scopes were still on.  WIth a scope this is okay most people can shoot out to 300 yds after minimal practise.  You can't do this with a ML.  So in short it's not the season it's the hunters.  Too many people rifle style hunting with a ML.  Another big reason is the ML season only covers one weekend.  For people like me who can't take time off of school/work than this severely restricts your time out in the woods.   

[fishunt247]

Clockum, thats a bold statement to be makin to say that most guys can't shoot for crap...especially to my post, seemingly meaning that I can't shoot for crap. My success rate with a muzzleloader proves otherwise. I passed a shot on a buck at a ranged 147 yards this year. He was quartering away and I had a rest. At that distance my front site covers the entire front half of the deer. That isn't precise enough for me. I shoot a lot, and will take a shot to 125 yards. But for the discussion, what sight are you shooting? And what groups are you regularly getting at 200 yards? I live in Ellensburg and would love to see the master at his craft.