Turnbull draw unit? Anyone been in there?

[Wizekrakr]

The 1015 Turnbull unit sounds interesting when I read about it.  Anyone pull that draw hunt for any bull?  If you did,  what did you think of it? How is access? Did you see animals during your hunt dates?  Did they allow you to do any scouting prior to the season dates?

[Jonathan_S]

You get one day prior to scout, as in the day prior. Hit or miss. I had a tag there and definitely could have killed a good bull but nobody else I talked to even saw elk during the archery hunt. I apply because I'm very close but I wouldn't otherwise

[nwwanderer]

Review the rules before application, they do not make it easy or fun.  Work hard with some of the local land owners for a much more satisfying experience

[boneaddict]

I made the trip twice to photograph.  I’ve never been more disappointed. 

[teanawayslayer]

It’s one of the few muzzy bull hunts left. There is no way I would waste my points on that hunt. Even if I had very few I would not put in for it.

[Wizekrakr]

Wow,  Wasn't expecting that kind of response. Sounds like the  WDFW is again clueless on how to manage a wildlife refuge.

[BULLBLASTER]

Wow,  Wasn't expecting that kind of response. Sounds like the  WDFW is again clueless on how to manage a wildlife refuge.

The refuge is federal. And the purpose of the hunts is to get the animals moving off the sanctuary of the refuge during season and be huntable on surrounding lands. There are elk out there but what zone you are allowed to hunt has an impact on huntable area. Not sure if they do zones for the bull hunts tho.

[Wizekrakr]

Doesn't sound like I want to spend my points for a hunt like that. Thanks for the input.

[Jonathan_S]

It's managed as a waterfowl refuge and they want less elk there. It sure is pretty ground though.

[huntnnw]

For this to be a quality bull tag this hunt should take place in January. Lot of elk migrate to that area late in the winter.

[Stein]

I think they issue 1 bull tag and tons of applications.  So, pretty much like any other tag except you can’t really scout and don’t know where you will actually hunt before you draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patarero]

I think they issue 1 bull tag and tons of applications.  So, pretty much like any other tag except you can’t really scout and don’t know where you will actually hunt before you draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Unless it's changed, archery bull tag holder can hunt any of the open units.  Rifle bull is limited to certain zones.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[dr.derek]

Had a cow tag this year in there and hunted one day during that nasty smoke. Was disappointed with the size and lack of elk in the small unit. Would do it again as it’s so close to my house but don’t travel for it.

[Stein]

I think they issue 1 bull tag and tons of applications.  So, pretty much like any other tag except you can’t really scout and don’t know where you will actually hunt before you draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Unless it's changed, archery bull tag holder can hunt any of the open units.  Rifle bull is limited to certain zones.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

The problem is you aren't guaranteed any of the sub-units will be open.  For this tag, you have to apply, draw, spend the points and then hope you either get a good sub-unit or all of the other units are open if you are the lucky 1.

This is essentially a damage hunt, Turnbull isn't managed as a big game area, it's a side opportunity that is adjusted based on the other needs of the refuge.  They are trying to push the elk off the refuge, so ironically they are managing it such that the hunting would get worse and worse over time which would lead to less tree damage.

It is what it is, but there is a very possible reality of being seriously disappointed.

[trophyhunt]

If they don’t want elk there, why not just make it over the counter any elk?

[Stein]

The public doesn't have access to Turnbull for the most part, they only allow a few people here or there and no vehicles.

Probably because they don't want 5000 people per square mile.  It only takes a few people to push around a herd of elk.  It's a fairly small area where they are having problems.  The last thing they want is a swarm of people that start pushing the birds and other things off the refuge.

[trophyhunt]

Gotcha

[BULLBLASTER]

There are sections open to elk hunting on the refuge. The same 3 are always open if you draw. For cows they assign you a unit that you get to hunt to spread the pressure.
Rifles are only allowed in one section but muzzle loaders and bows are allowed in all 3.

[Elk77]

I’ve never hunted Turnbull but go there to photograph and have seen a lot of elk. But I imagine it would be hard to hunt with all of the restrictions.

[Elk77]

Here’s a few Turnbull elk

[nwwanderer]

It is pushing 20,000 acres these days, the elk know the boundaries, often a rush at dawn kind of hunt off refuge and severely controlled by the feds on refuge.

[Dan-o]

elk77,

Thanks for sharing.  You take some really good pics.

[Jimmer]

Grew up and hunted around the area since I was a kid. Yes Turnbull has Elk and I was very excited 2 years ago when I drew a muzzy cow tag. The hunt was extremely disappointing... they assign you to a section of Turnbull. The section I got was a waste of time, could pretty much walk the whole thing in a days hunt. ZERO fresh sign of elk or deer. Saw 1 moose in 3 days. I know the other guys in a different section ran into the Elk. If they happen to be in the section you’re assigned, then great, if not your SOL.

[Stein]

Ditto to that, we probably saw the same moose and were assigned to the same unit.  Honestly, it's a crapshoot that takes about the same amount of points at places where you don't have the unknowns.  If a guy drew the bull tag and could hunt it all, then, yeah that would be a much better deal.  Last time I applied I think they gave out 1 tag and thousands applied.

[elkchaser54]

I always want to apply for this unit due to having tons of cow points with no use for them really . I like the idea of late season rifle cow tho.  Just hate to waste points and watch em on the wrong side of a fence