Margaret cow tag help....

[Rookie24]

I drew the Antler less Muzzy Tag for the Margaret. After I was done  celebrating I realized that I dont know the first thing about the area.  Has anyone drew this tag before?? If so... should I be excited or nah... I have heard all the hoof rot stories and that is a bit concerning, I have to admit. Anyhow... have a few questions for anyone in the know who may be willing to drop a few pearls of wisdom. 

* Let me start by saying this.. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR ANYONE'S HONEY HOLE LOCATION OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO THAT...Just a nudge in the right direction would really help.

1- Is it a must to buy the Weyco permit??
2- Is hoof rot that big of an issue?
3- Can you still harvest an elk with hoof rot? Meaning... is it safe to eat.
4- Is there a better/worse area to look at withing the GMU.

Thanks in advance.. I have always gotten great info from this site by just lurking.. figured it was about time I threw my hat in the ring.

[bobcat]

I think you will want to have the Weyerhaeuser access permit. You really have no choice, especially now since they made the public land part of the unit in the east into an "elk area" and it is excluded from your permit season and all the general seasons. I don't know for sure though, maybe there still is a little public land open for your hunt at the far east side of the unit. There will be a general season going on at the same time as your hunt, so you can take a bull or a cow. But you'll have plenty of competition from other hunters. Hoof rot is pretty bad in that area but the meat is fine to eat, it's just that if they've got it really bad they might not have much meat left. It should be a fun hunt as long as you're willing to spend the $300. The nice thing is Weyerhaeuser is allowing camping this year, which they never have before.

[Rookie24]

I think you will want to have the Weyerhaeuser access permit. You really have no choice, especially now since they made the public land part of the unit in the east into an "elk area" and it is excluded from your permit season and all the general seasons. I don't know for sure though, maybe there still is a little public land open for your hunt at the far east side of the unit. There will be a general season going on at the same time as your hunt, so you can take a bull or a cow. But you'll have plenty of competition from other hunters. Hoof rot is pretty bad in that area but the meat is fine to eat, it's just that if they've got it really bad they might not have much meat left. It should be a fun hunt as long as you're willing to spend the $300. The nice thing is Weyerhaeuser is allowing camping this year, which they never have before.

Thank you very kindly for the info.

[bobcat]

You may want to get your access permit ASAP, as they have already sold over 50% of the available permits.

https://www.wyrecreationnw.com/Permits/PropertyPage_Common.aspx?PropId=4

[Bulldozer77]

Pm sent

[medic6]

I have an archery cow tag also.  I'll let you know what I see scouting to help out those with a similar  tag.     anyone have a youth needing to fill a Lewis river or siouxn tag I can assist with that   

[hogslayer]

This is so funny.  I a sorry but I got a laugh out of this.  Every year no matter what, there is always that guy who gets draw for a tag and joins hunt wa and asks for info.  I have asked for info before.  But you will get a lot more help if you use the search bar for previous post and see who drew the tag in the last few years and send them a peronal message. 

[Rookie24]

Thanks for all the info. MUCH appreciated.

[Bullkllr]

It's not a very big unit. The open part is all Weyerhaueser and you can drive all the main roads in a day. Get the permit, as soon as it's open get in there. Presently, it's pretty much JAU (just another unit).

[Billy Fudd]

I would buy the permit.

The elk my group have taken with hoof rot have not noticed a difference in table fare.  The condition of the animal is highly dependent on the condition of the rot though.  Late stages of hoof rot when the hoof/ hooves are severely disformed the animals are skinny and less fat than you would expect.

Hoof rot is definitely an issue for herd numbers.  I would hazard a guess that the winston herd is 50% or less from where it was 10 years ago (all the cow tags havent helped).  From what i have observed Margaret has higher density populations.  But is also on the downswing. 

I spent some time in their last year and cant imagine having trouble filling a cow tag as long as ur willing to get off the roads.

[Rookie24]

Thanks to all who put their  in... reall appreciate it.

[Rookie24]

Am I correct in assuming, since it is now a general unit, that I can shoot a bull (3pt or better of course) if I happen upon one?? Or am I missing something??

[Blacktail Sniper]

Correct, as long as the antlerless permit season overlaps the general 3 pt or better open season.