2024 Dayton muzzleloader

[Looneytoondan]

I was lucky person to draw the 2024 Dayton quality muzzleloader tag (Sept 30-October 11).  I was wondering if anyone out there has some advice for me.  Couple questions I have are:

How's the heard these days, still some good bulls?
Is it worth looking for a guide and if so who do you know or recommend?
Do landowners want the elk out of the fields, any chance you know someone?
Is it better to main camp and then hunt different areas, or is it better to pack in and camp?

I will probably have lots more questions as people respond.

thanks
Dan

[HntnFsh]

Camp at the motel in Dayton. Comfy bed. Hot shower.  Good breakfast.  Coffee.  Close to a lot of the unit with options to hit different area from there.

[Timberstalker]

Welcome aboard!
Have you spent much time in the unit?

[Looneytoondan]

Welcome aboard!
Have you spent much time in the unit?

No I have not. Usually hunt Bethel.

[Bob33]

I would try spending some time in the triangular area between Bluewood, Chase Mountain, and Griffen Peak.

[go4steelhd]

I think this all depends on what your hopes and expectations are from the tag. The next factors would be your elk hunting knowledge and physical ability.

If you go DIY:

This is really nasty steep county to pack a bull out of it, you need to have a plan in place for that. (You need to be in good shape to simply hunt in that unit)

Camping
No place in my opinion is far enough from a road to pack in and camp. I would camp at or near Godman.

As far as quality if you are a decent elk hunter a 350+ bull is doable. There will be a giant or two on any given year, finding them or keeping tabs on them could be tough. (I personally would look for a 370+ on that hunt, but i have spent an extreme amount of time in the blues. And I also would be fine if I ate the tag trying to obtain that) scout both weekends prior to your hunt, and talk to archery hunters that you run into and ask them if they have seen any big bulls, be sure to let them know you have the muzzy tag. (I feel this is you best chance of learning where a giant is at)


Landowner
I'm not sure many would let you hunt. Most of the bigger bulls will be on public during the rut, or at least at times they will be on public.


Guided option
If you want to have the scouting and packing taken care of a guide could be a good option. I have no idea who is a good guide that consistently produces big bulls in there. But do some research, and if you go guided make sure you get in writing who will be guiding the hunt. Then take the time to talk to that guide before booking the hunt, and ask him what his(The guide, not the outfitter) success rates have been, quality/size of bulls, photo's, how good of shape you need to be in, the scouting he does, and ask them for a reference contact from every hunter they have guided. Some outfitters are very honest if you ask direct questions, some are simply trying to sell a hunt and will tell you what ever they think you want to hear. Again check references of every hunter they have had.

If you have any direct questions for me feel free to ask. And please share the outcome of the hunt regardless of success, on the forum.

[elkchaser54]

Good luck ! These tags are now a once or twice in a lifetime tags. Message sent. Just be in really good shape !!!! Hunt as much as possible and you'll find a shooter . Plus you pretty much have the unit completely to yourself , no one even spike hunts there anymore.

[Lenkenslawker55]

So I just checked my results and they changed. I originally drew weneha west archery, now my results say Dayton. I know both are world class tags so I’m not crying. Feel free to reach out. Thanks. Kyle


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[Rjames]

I drew the muzzle loader tag in 2017.  I spent a good part of that hunt on Chase mountain area.  Also hunted the Bluewood area.  I ended up with a 330 bull.  Saw elk every day, but definitely not a sure thing, and helps to be in great shape. 

[Looneytoondan]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the help.  Unfortunately WDFW screwed up the draw and I no longer have this tag.  I still have a bull tag thankfully.  It is in Bethel, this was my first choice and I know the area.  Might not be the biggest of bulls left in there as lots more archery tags and even modern tags before my muzzle loader hunt.  but glad to hunt the area I know.

Thanks again to everyone's advice.  Encouraging me to start getting into shape. Started walking with weights and already up to 15 lbs and 4 miles. 

wish whoever drew tag best of luck and hopefully they might also get some information from this.