2017 Muzzleloader seasons

[bobcat]

Since my 2016 hunting season is over, other than maybe a little coyote hunting, I'm already thinking about next year. Trying to decide if I want to do modern, muzzleloader, or archery season for elk. I will only buy a modern tag if I decide to purchase a Weyerhaeuser access permit. Even then, probably would not go with modern, but it's an option. Mostly I'm trying to decide between archery and muzzleloader, and the issue I'm having is with the early muzzleloader season opening so late next year (October 7th.) This year it opened October 1st which is ideal. With it opening a week later I just think next year might be the year for me to practice and get more proficient with my bow, and take advantage of the really awesome early season dates of September 9-21. My other thought is go ahead and buy the muzzleloader tag and put in for an east side quality permit. With my 9 points I'd have a decent chance of drawing, and if I don't draw, I just won't hunt elk next year.

Another consideration for next year is that the early deer and elk muzzleloader seasons are not at the same time like it has been the last couple years. Which means I could have muzzleloader deer and elk tags (or possibly a multi season deer tag) and be able to hunt mule deer one weekend and elk the next. I don't like when the seasons are the same because where I want to hunt elk is not the same place I want to hunt deer. So I really love me that they have the deer season beginning September 30th and the elk season beginning a week later on October 7th.

I guess what it boils down to, and what I'm asking, is the October 7th opener too late to catch any elk rutting action? I don't want to waste my time if they're not going to be bugling at all.

[Reidus]

Hard to say at this point. Weather is always a crapshoot in October.  A lot better chance of getting into bugling action in September.  Action in october will probably vary a lot from area to area.

[vandeman17]

I have felt that the past few years, the rut has started a bit later and went a little later. Second cycle cows will be coming around during the first few days so that could be good but as stated, weather is the unknown factor.

[bobcat]

Maybe what I should ask, and what I'm curious about, is how many people are not going to hunt the muzzleloader elk season next year due to the late season?  (October 7-13)  I would assume a lot of people took adnantage of the October 1st opening date this year, people who normally may not hunt muzzleloader season. Anybody on here who did that?

[JimmyHoffa]

Maybe what I should ask, and what I'm curious about, is how many people are not going to hunt the muzzleloader elk season next year due to the late season?  (October 7-13)  I would assume a lot of people took adnantage of the October 1st opening date this year, people who normally may not hunt muzzleloader season. Anybody on here who did that?

I thought about doing that for the early dates this year.  But instead went to a remaining unit that didn't have an early muzz season.  Think a lot of people had the same idea.  I'm going back to muzzy next year even if it is really crowded.

[Antlershed]

Been kicking around the same thoughts. I should have taken advantage of the Muzzy dates this year, but went Archery instead. Pondering now if I should try and burn points on a muzzy tag next year or wait to see what the 2018 dates look like.

[bobcat]

Yeah it's an unknown at this point what the 2018 seasons will be, but if they keep things the same, it will be an October 6th opening for early muzzleloader. So still not much better. We gotta wait until 2022 for an October 1st opener again. (unless they make some major changes with all the seasons)

[buglebuster]

They will be just as on fire the 1st as the 7th. Nobody is pressuring them up till the opener, the result will be the same

[Mr Mykiss]

I hunted muzzy due to the early elk season, of course I was fairly certain that I would draw a muzzy bull tag and was freaking out thinking about a Oct 1-7 hunt...didn't happen.
Also my trusty muzzleloader has transitioned to the crapper so no muzzy hunts for me next year, unless Sabotloader knows how to fix muzzleloaders...

[2MANY]

I see no problem with the 7th.

[Jimmy33]

I'm going back to muzzy this year so I can hunt separate weeks for deer and elk. I just sent in an official request to the state to separate the two. I hope that doesn't make anyone upset but o love muzzy hunting and I hunt two separate units for both species...am I the only one that does that?


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[bobcat]

The seasons are separate next year. The 2017 seasons have already been set. Deer opens September 30th and elk opens October 7th.

[Mark Brenckle]

Why don't you archery elk hunt and muzzy or multi season for deer?

[Jimmy33]

I used to bow hunt but enjoy muzzy hunting more. I hunt multiple states and already spend enough money on tags and a multiseason tag in this state doesn't interest me. I would rather spend my money elsewhere. I just liked it better when both muzzy seasons were separate. In addition, for me it would be nice to have the deer season earlier so I don't have to choose between my Idaho hunts and my WA deer hunts all of the time, or hunt rifle like I've been doing so I don't have to miss my muzzy deer season in Idaho. Just a personal preference.

[bobcat]

I think I've decided. Unless someone talks me into something else.

I'll go ahead and buy the muzzleloader elk license and apply for an east side quality permit. For deer I'll apply for the multi-season tag, but will purchase a modern license so I can apply for quality deer and 2nd deer permits.

If I don't draw any permits, I'll then go ahead and purchase the multi-season deer tag so I can hunt all the seasons for deer, and I won't hunt elk at all. If I do draw a special permit hunt, I'll save my money and will not get the multi-season deer tag, and will just focus on whatever permit hunt I drew.

The biggest issue for me with the early archery elk season is that we like to go antelope hunting to Wyoming in the middle of September. I could still make it work if I had to do both in September but it's just easier to have the hunts spread out a bit more.

My hope is that I'll draw a moose tag and then deer and elk won't even matter.   21 points, I should have a chance, right? 

[Mr Mykiss]

My hope is that I'll draw a moose tag and then deer and elk won't even matter.   21 points, I should have a chance, right? 

It's pretty much a guarantee at this point...

[bobcat]

One more dilemma though, will be to decide if I want to buy a Weyerhaeuser access permit. The main reason I'd want to is so I'd have a place close to home to take my kids. But if the price goes up to $500 like I've heard it will, the decision will be easy.

[bobcat]

My hope is that I'll draw a moose tag and then deer and elk won't even matter.   21 points, I should have a chance, right? 

It's pretty much a guarantee at this point...

Exactly!  That's what I'm thinking.   

[JimmyHoffa]

One more dilemma though, will be to decide if I want to buy a Weyerhaeuser access permit. The main reason I'd want to is so I'd have a place close to home to take my kids. But if the price goes up to $500 like I've heard it will, the decision will be easy.

Are the Weyco permits still selling out now at current price?  Or has quality gone up considerably?
I know Rayonier had a lot of unsold permits this year, I don't think the price was what kept them cold.  They were logging or doing road repairs which really limited the elk hunters (a lot of permit land off limits), the nuked cuts weren't justification for deer hunters and houndsmen pretty much cleaned out the bear.
I guess Weyco could reduce permits and raise prices to achieve the same basic financial end.

[bobcat]

Yes, they all sold out this year, price is $300 or close to that now for all areas. The most popular areas sell out in less than 10 minutes. So I have no doubt that they'd still sell out if the price was $500.

I think all the areas are now a full year of access, and camping is allowed, along with 2 cords of firewood. So you do get more for your money now than how it was in the beginning.

[oldschool]

 For 500 do you get a guide.