When I drew the Nooksack Archery Quality Bull I was ecstatic. It was a hard hunt to tag out on a larger bull, and is absolutely no gimme hunt, but a least they let you hunt the beginning of the rut.
I just noticed that the archery bull starts in August and ends September 10th. I know for my hunt, that things didn't really get going until the 2nd week of September. I had some bulls answering, but definitely not heated up.
I've also had the opportunity to take (2) other archery tag holders and it was the same during their hunts. The muzzle loader permit time frame is perfect and it just doesn't get much better. I was going to put in for Nooksack again, but not with these dates.
The options we have for West Side Archery Elk is so limited, and almost a waste of points. To call the Toutle a Quality Archery unit is just wrong, based on how many tags they give out, so few elk and the majority of it requiring a Weyerhaeuser permit.
The Mudflow appears to be the best unit to put in for, and I'm not sure about White River, other than what I've read. The Norway / Mt. Whittier holds a lot of animals and is a great archery hunt if you're in good shape and have friends or assistance to get your bull out. Assistance isn't a must, but I know what it's like to get bucks out of there and your camp. Pretty hard doing it solo.
I'm just wondering if there's any other areas that the state could make to broaden our Westside Archery opportunities for a True Quality draw?
