Margaret vs. Toutle

[Ridgerunner]

What one is the better tag and why? 

[Bigshooter]

Both are far from great.  But if you made me chose I would go with the Margret, only because they give out fewer tags.

[RPM]

marget also, animals get less pressure through out the year

[bucklucky]

Neither, hunt a general tag and save your points. 

[jmx369]

I agree. Save your points.

[funkster]

I guess the real question's are, what weapon are you using and what are you looking to get out of the tag? If it is sure number of bulls and bull encounters both units are some of the best in the state for that. If you are looking to harvest that "bull of a lifetime" there are better units and you would be better off saving your points.

[bucklucky]

I guess the real question's are, what weapon are you using and what are you looking to get out of the tag? If it is sure number of bulls and bull encounters both units are some of the best in the state for that. If you are looking to harvest that "bull of a lifetime" there are better units and you would be better off saving your points.

You sure about that. The Bull numbers arent even that great.

[funkster]

Yes, I am! I have been on a toutle hunt and I have scouted Margret pretty heavy. If you are hunting archery in Sept bulging them in ,it is not uncommon to get on 7-8 bulls a day and if you are looking for sure excitement, it is a fun hunt.  You will not go days without seeing elk (a good motivator for a new elk hunter).But like I said, if you are after that pig (like the one you shot) you and I know there are much better units.

[jadeball1]

I agree. Lots of elk, just not alot of big ones. Fun hunt, I would do it again.

[ihunt]

tough choice they both suck

[Ridgerunner]

I was considering it for rifle.  I'm well aware they aren't in the top units in the state for a big bull, but this would be my first elk, just looking to get a raghorn 5 or 6.  From what I've seen come out of these units, that is pretty standard.  I don't have many points so I wouldn't be burning many. 

[Alan K]

My old man found out the hard way the year before last that Toutle is more of a guaranteed bull tag rather than a trophy bull tag.  Tons of elk, tons of rag horns.  He had a rifle tag, so the big boys that are there had broken off from the herds. 

Judging from what you are looking for from your hunt Ridgerunner, I'd say Toutle would be a great hunt for you. A 5 pt. rag horn should be pretty well guarenteed.  A 6 pt. plus on the other hand, you'll have to work pretty hard for.

[Alan K]

Also, you should be able to afford to hold out for a nicer one for a few days.  We saw rag horn 4 pts everyday, and 5 pts every other day on average.

[O_mykiss]

Either of these units are much better than most westside general seasons....but they are certainly not a guarantee. There are enough bull and antlerless tags in either one now that you will not be hunting alone if you don't get away from the roads, which is do-able. There are certain areas of the Toutle that hold 280+ bulls every year, but those areas seem to be few and far between anymore. I have had the Toutle modern tag twice in the last 5 years and passed up smaller bulls looking for the bigger ones i saw scouting, but never found one during the season. On the other hand, its easy to get into several herds a day. Can't speak to the muzzle or archery seasons in either unit.

[BULLBLASTER]

I had the toutle rifle tag last year, and shot a 2x3. not my bigggest bull but i could only hunt a few days so i took what i could get. definitely saw some bigger ones after i shot mine . but the first day we only saw 4 elk so i shot the first branch bull i saw. never did see a real mature big bull though. a fun hunt and would be good for a first elk!!!!!
i will put in for it again!!

[popeshawnpaul]

The question I have is this...

Well, let me give a little background.  I hunt elk archery westside every year.  If I put in for special permits I have to put in for a westside unit with archery.  I would love to apply for a blues mtn elk rifle tag and then go archery elk hunt but that isn't possible without a multi season tag.  I have about 5 points right now, so do I just put in the number that ensures you won't draw and keep accumulating elk points until I have 15 or so and then go for a quality rifle hunt or do I just go for toutle or margaret and just have a good quality elk hunt with a smaller 4-5 point bull expected?  I'm thinking I'll just accumulate the points...?

[furbearer365]

A lot of you guys are referring to Margaret and Toutle as an easy subpar draw.  By no means is this just a guarantee draw.  4,000 applicants and only 18 tags don't sound like a guarantee (rifle).  I doubt that 5 points will be enough to draw either tag but there is always a chance.  But you guys are all correct about both, by no means would i consider either one a monster bull unit.  There are big bulls but they are not like they used to be 20 years ago.  Simply put, if you are looking for a bull to hit the magical number 300, you better put in for some other tag because you will be extremely disappointed.

[WAPITIHUNTER]

I have been applying for the Toutle and Margaret for 12 years now  for the archery tags and have not been drawn. What the heck is up with that?

I will most likley be applying for the Nooksack as there are much bigger bulls up there.

[Jeremiah P]

Had the archery tag last season, and in my opinion that unit sucks. Yeah I shot a bull but nothing to brag about, just another raghorn. Too many people for not enough open land, I even saw people 4-5 miles behind gates.  I didn't have to burn any points though because I drew it first try. I will just build points and someday put in for a blues tag.

[funkster]

We where in there a year before last during early archery. We didn't see a single person most days behind wey co gates, the bulls where singing. If you can hold out trust me, bigger bulls are in the unit. Another good thing about the unit is if you are tired of getting up at 3 am and hiking and pedaling your legs off for a week straight,you can hop in the rig and hunt the state land which holds some good bulls.

[hard hunter]

Anyone have recomdation for a first elk muzzleloader.  I have to admit that I don't even have to have a bull.  I just want to bring home my first elk..(had the first one I shot in Idaho stolen).

[HntnFsh]

Knight Bighorn,all the way!

[funkster]

Knight Bighorn,all the way!

I think he was talking about a unit to hunt,not a gun.

If you don't care what you harvest put in for the coweeman antlerless tag and you should have no problem taking down an elk.

[heavy hauler]

put in for the margeret  first  and toutle second. hey pope, just put in for the margeret,  odds are you wont draw but there is a chance.then when you get a ton of points go eastside.

[Ihookum]

anything but margret or toutle if you want a 300+ westside bull. Too many ways in to these units and 10+ guys hunting one tag = alot of animals killed every year that dont make the harvest survey. You want a big bull get in behind the roads, set up spike camp and hit the timber where no one wants to be.

7 months till season and time to start gettin the horses in shape.

[elksnout]

I have a million dollar question on these units and the Coweeman, Winston, etc. Where does everyone camp or can you ? I was under the impression that they didn't allow camping on their lands and you had to come out from behind the gates at night. Part of the reason I hunt federal land or am I mis-informed ?

[bobcat]

Weyerhaeuser doesn't allow camping on their land but there is some state land in those units you can camp on, or private campgrounds nearby if you don't mind paying $25/night.

[elksnout]

25 bucks a night is kinda steep when you figure our trips last 8-10 days. And that's alot of driving time if you hunt from home or even coming from a campground. That would be a big change for us as we just start out walking right from camp most days. Kinda spoiled that way I guess. Do you think they really would have an issue if someone backpacked in ? I mean they could see you were there to hunt a bull and not just drink beer and leave garbage, you know ?

[bucklucky]

Save your points and accumulate till you get the Multi. Its a waist of points and time for Margret or toutle.

[CastleRocker]

Yep, Weyco has a no camping policy on the St. Helens tree farm.  However, if you take a little drive up into it during hunting season, you will a LOT of camps.  I think for the most part they choose not to enforce it, as it is a policy handed down by corporate headquarters several years back, and most of the managers down this way don't think too highly of the head office.  

As far as Toutle and Margaret go, I would love to get drawn for either one, but would prefer Margaret. 

[WDFW-SUX]

Save your points they are not trophy hunts.  You can have a better hunt in an OTC area.

[heavy hauler]

yes go some place else these are terrible spots    

[Fishnclifff]

I had the toutle rifle tag last year, and shot a 2x3. not my bigggest bull but i could only hunt a few days so i took what i could get. definitely saw some bigger ones after i shot mine . but the first day we only saw 4 elk so i shot the first branch bull i saw. never did see a real mature big bull though. a fun hunt and would be good for a first elk!!!!!
i will put in for it again!!

I drew a Toutle tag my first year applying. Shot a 3x2 on the 3rd day.
All the branched bulls and raghorns were separated from the cows during elk season.
The bull I got was by himself.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

If you go back and look at some past threads you will see what most have been saying. Neither is a trophy bull unit, it is a unit that will increase your odds of harvesting a bull, and when they made it any bull it made the odds that much better. Are there trophy bulls in the units sure, there are in every unit, but i think there are more elsewhere. I am not even puting in for them this year.