Nooksack Muzzy Elk!

[Quaka Wacka]

Well it’s time for me to be that guy. I drew the Nooksack muzzy bull tag Sept 17-28 and Nov 13-30. And I’m not even gonna pretend. I’m looking for secret spots, GPS locations and 400” bulls tied to trees😁
Ok. Honestly I’d be appreciative of any info. But I will make sure the info is reciprocated. I’ve DIY’d moose and caribou in AK plus deer, elk and antelope all over the west. I’m a fireman, but my side hustle has me pretty well connected in the high end optics world. Full disclosure, I’ve never set foot in the unit. I live in SWWA and grew up hunting St Helens and the coast. I can call elk, and I’m in decent shape. May or may not be doing it solo, which I’ve done before.

I’m planning on several scouting trips. But with each trip costing 400$+ in fuel, I’m also not opposed to the option of a reputable outfitter or paying for access if it would be that much of an advantage in animal quality. All things being equal, I’d prefer to DIY.

Is fire closure a potential issue? Timber company permits to look into? ATVs or Mt bikes helpful for access? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Alex Wood
360-9O1-six68two

[RB]

PM sent best of luck!

[X-Force]

That’s the best season for that unit. Congrats

[BENCHLEG]

I like the post. If I had info I would help Good luck and keep us posted.you will get what you need here.

[JakeLand]

You lucky dog !! That’s a good tag for muzzy

[JBar]

Buddies wife drew it too, you should be getting a letter regarding the hunt. At least you used to so I’m assuming they still do that!

[bkaech]

There is a lot of really good looking Elk country in the Nooksack, but Elk aren't in all of those good looking spots. Also you can make this hunt however you want to make it, You can do a lot of driving, a lot of hiking, or sit on private property fields, It can be quite diverse with the hunt or the expectations. I think the most ground you can cover scouting in summer and early sept will help you find the spots you want to hunt in. I don't think an ATV would help, state roads open to traffic, timber lands closed to motorized vehicles. A bike might help you get into locked gated timberlands, but I don't know of any pay for access spots that would be helpful (they might exist, but I am not aware of them). Also, if I had that tag I would plan on having a dead bull in the first 4 days of the season, that is to say, plan on putting the time in and taking days off of work before Sept 17th.

[Magnum_Willys]

I’ll PM you. Buddy ate this tag last year and was not picky.  The Natives hunt it 9 mo a year.  We did see a couple hawgs on private land and on public land at 300 yards we almost got a shot at.   Plan on scouting a lot.   Great tag but plan on hunting hard.   Its not drive out and pass up smaller ones.   

[Quaka Wacka]

Anybody know anybody with the Nooksack archery tag? I’d be willing to trade packing help or potential gear deals for info at the end of archery.

[SLAYRIDE]

Pm sent

[h2ofowlr]

Alex,
How did this hunt go for you?  Did you end up filling your tag?

[Quaka Wacka]

The hunt was a grind. I was expecting a buglefest of calling in rag horn and satellite bulls. I started trying to locate bulls the day before the opener, and for that plus the first 5 days, I never had a response to a bugle. Had a spike and a small 4pt come in quite. Even bugled out a timbered ridge and bumped a herd of 40+ that never made a peep. Saw at least one good bull as they busted. Covered 100+ miles on bike and on foot. Almost hit a Mt lion with my bike bombing down a logging road after dark… exciting stuff. Lots of guys gave me different areas to try, and I really appreciated the help. Day 6 I hit another area and got a response from a decent sounding bull. Got close and called him partway in, but he was in a brushy clearcut. I bumped him hoping I’d get him into a better spot. He was still bugling every hour or so, but not interested in coming in. I snuck in over the course of a few hours and managed to kill him. Not a giant but a good “Rosie” looking bull.

[HikerHunter]

Wow, that is a great bull, nicely done!

[redi]

Congratulations

[BoomWhop]

Really nice bull 

[Magnum_Willys]

Nice Success !  Yea told ya its was not going to be easy     Nooksack has burned a lot of tags the last few years.

[jmscon]

Congrats, nice looking bull! Little crown on his right?

[blackveltbowhunter]

Great bull! Congrats!

[bradslam]

Congrats on the bull. Good on you for being persistent...it only takes one.

[Quaka Wacka]

Thanks guys. Yes crowned a little on the right. Dark horns and Rosie character was what I was after, and feel like I got it with this bull.


I certainly didn’t expect this hunt to be easy, but I did expect it to be more enjoyable. It was work for sure.  I’d say it was like hunting a general season unit, but the bulls are bigger. Main difference is you’re learning a new unit as you go. It’s been almost 2 decades since I haven’t filled my general elk tag and this hunt was a grind. The elk were far less vocal than I expected. I would compare it to the changes I’ve seen in elk behavior since wolves have moved in where we hunt in ID.

One local really helped me out with info and even helped me pack meat. Not sure if he wants me to mention his name, but a big thanks to him, as well as everybody else who fed me info along the way.

[bearhunter99]

Nice bull!  As others have said the Nook has gotten tough.  Drew the archery tag a few years ago and ate it.  Have a good friend that lives in the middle of the unit and we ended up not being able to put it together.  The archery season is tough with the early dates and the competition with the native tag holders that can use modern rifle during our archery season.  Lots of guns going off while we were out there.  Shouldn't have burned my points on that hunt.  Glad you were able to get it done!

[h2ofowlr]

Congrats.  Looks like a good one.

[pianoman9701]

Great animal taken. 

[BA Mongor]

Nice bull !

I agree with your comment about it being like a general unit with the opportunity for larger bulls. Either way, great bull.

[Falcon]

Great looking bull.  Congrats