Toulte Muzzleloader Dilemma

[bigun]

What would you do?
I'm one of the "lucky" ones that received the email telling me my draw results had changed, I was actually selected for Toutle Muzzle.
Now that it's too late to get the Weyerhauser pass, I'm wondering if I should proceed with the hunt (I had definitely planned on getting the pass if selected), or relinquish the tag and hang on to my points.
I'm not looking for a monster (obviously, as I put in for Toutle), but would like the experience of being in elk and seeing bulls regularly)
I've read the other threads, and there are mixed reviews as to whether the pass is a must or not.
Have mountain bike and pack, prefer behind gates to road hunting.
Thanks for the input.

[Dark2Dark]

I would definitely still hunt it.

There is plenty of opportunity to hunt state land and there are good, active bulls in there. In an ideal world, you have Weyco access so you have your best odds. But you can definitely kill a bull on State Land.

You could also buy the walk in, still. There is a lot of non-motorized stuff in the Toutle unit, anyway.

The gate key guys will predominately road hunt, anyway.

You could turn the tag back in and never draw it again.

Go hunt it, you won’t regret it. PM me if you want some good starting points. I can tell you some state land areas that will have bulls, for sure.

[MIKEXRAY]

I don't think Wa has enough opportunities for hunting to ever turn in a tag, except in rare cases where the hunt is 100% not possible obviously.  I vote keep the tag and get out there making the best of it on state land & options Dark2Dark pointed out. I have a friend always finding " reasons " to turn in his tags and I have to say it never turns out better . Good luck either way.

[bigun]

Really appreciate the replies.  Reinforces the direction I was leaning. 
And thanks for the offer, will definitely PM you for any advice on the unit you can share. 

[medic6]

Had the archery permit last year and plenty of elk on and off timberland.  I would buy the walk-in permit for more access, If I had the same tag again.  Super fun hunt

[Big6bull]

I agree I would for sure hunt it! Good luck!

[HntnFsh]

I agree with the above comments!

[MADMAX]

If you do your homework you’ll do fine
Plenty of raghorns

[Dark2Dark]

PS You're not "lucky" you're actually LUCKY! Much better than the folks that lost the tags they had been issued and it's still a great tag to be drawn for. Better late than never!

[MLBowhunting]

Plenty of elk to make it a fun hunt.  Enjoy it while you can!! 

[bigun]

Excellent, thanks guys.

[Streamer]

I would reach out and contact whoever the land manager is and explain the situation and ask if they would be able to make and exception given the circumstances and sell you a permit. The worst that can happen is they say no. You have nothing to lose.

[MIKEXRAY]

Awesome idea Streamer  !

[Bullkllr]

The only areas to hunt really are the state land and Weyerhaeuser. The drive-in permits are sold out and they won't make an exception. As of today they still have walk-in permits available. This is part of the Weyco map for Longview. Some of their walk-in areas (red slashes) border the state land you will likely be hunting and I could see it being an advantage to have the walk-in permit, as others have mentioned.

The map is at https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com/Print-Map/28f5dad8-8ebe-4e91-a45e-e1d23b922746?t=p

You may need to create an account to see it. https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com/

Hope this helps.

[Dark2Dark]

You could also see if someone is interested in taking you for the day and you could buy a $100 daily buddy pass. You can only do that a couple days.

I would probably find that fun, for instance. However, if you are looking to park and walk and not road hunt, I still think I would just focus on the state land and the Weyco walk in stuff. That's already more than enough territory to find good bulls in quality and quantity and sometimes having more options makes it worse (spreads you thin).

Get out there and scout a smaller area, learn it, put some cams on it, etc. I think that will lend itself to success!