Is it worth it for early muzzleloader?

[longstevo]

Hey all,

Due to certain circumstances, my hunting season is all but gone this year, but I found out recently that I will be available to hunt the late part of September.  After a glance at the reg. book, I discovered that this is early muzzleloader for deer in many of the SW Washington Units (564, 568, 574, 578).

I hunt late muzzle every year, but hunting the early season will be new to me. 

It is really worth it?  Well, it will be because I'll be out there anyway, but do you think I'll have a snowball's chance in hell at getting anything?

[jackelope]

you gotta be in it to win it.

if you have little time to hunt but this time is available to you then go for it. whats the worst that could happen?
you might need to relearn some of the deer's habits or haunts during the early season, but what the hell. no such thing as too much knowledge.

[Aneoakleaf]

Yes..... The bucks will be chowing up for breeding season and winter.
Go high and be there at daylight.Use a deer call, fawn distress ( Jones). I've called bucks in running. But have a couger tag in your pocket but they eat well too!

[Pat/Rick]

There is no more left in any of these GMU's.

[Pat/Rick]

I hunt all through that area actually. Mostly 568. Still hunt/stand hunt. Just sneak and peek. I also,at times carry a small pair of prunning shears with me.Clip the small limbs and vine maple as I go. Makes the brush alot quieter. ( uncle pats helpfull hint ). If you get into a thick patch of brush  a couple of snips is all it takes.

[longstevo]

There is no more left in any of these GMU's.

Hey Pat/Rick,

Thanks for the bit of advice above.  I never thought about carrying clippers with me.  That'd make things a lot easier!

But, about the comment above, where you say there's no more left in any of those GMU's.  Did you mean there's no more deer left in those GMUs?  Or early muzzleloader hunts? 

Just getting some clarification...

[Pat/Rick]

I meant deer. But I was just funnin' with ya. Theres still some good bucks around . But they don't come easy. Alot of walking/still hunting. Got to get a ways in the brush for them. I generally hunt closed roads and skid trails. Nothing makes me madder than to be back in there on a closed road and have someone drive in behind me. I don't care what kind of vehicle it is either. If I can "hobble" in there with my dissability, and physical limitations any body could. Whats fun is when they are on their way out, I don't get off the road and let 'em pass . I'll be up there for the early muzzleloader hunt for Elk. I want to wish you good luck and easy packs longstevo.

  YEP! its worth it!

[colockumelk]

I love the early hunts although I hunt sage brush mule deer during the early season.  I'm sure it's the same though.  The bucks are still in bachelor groups because they are still in their summer phase.  Also the rifle guys havn't gotten to them and spooked them.  You will not find deer that are easier to pattern than when they are in their summer phase.  If you put in the time to scout you should have some chances. 

[bowhunterforever]

Of course it's worth it! As long as your hunting/ in the woods it's worth it. You don't have to kill a deer to make it worth it. Good luck this fall!

[longstevo]

Of course it's worth it! As long as your hunting/ in the woods it's worth it. You don't have to kill a deer to make it worth it. Good luck this fall!

Haha, well put.

Thanks you all.  Unfortunately, my current location makes scouting a little tough.  I guess I'll just have to roll in blind.  Ah well, no worries!

[Pat/Rick]

Longstevo, PM sent.

[Gobble]

Absolutely, is it worth it, you learn more and more about an area everytime you get out.

[elkaholic]

Well Said- JAckelope... Cant win if you dont play

[elksnout]

I hunt the same areas as Pat/Rick. There's deer and bucks but it's no push over by any means. But I will tell you this : I do have some experience hunting the closed roads off of Fisher Hill in 578 during the Sept bowhunt for deer there. We found plenty of bucks then. No killer sized ones, just small 2x3', 3x3's, etc. Should be somewhat the same deal that first week of Oct for M/L season I would think. But it is a branched buck rule. Isn't it 3 pt now ?

[blacktail luv]

Yeah it is three point in 578 now and they changed the borders around quite a bit.  I have muzzleloaded for the last 16 years and have honestly never even hunted the early season here, the late was just so much better and it made my year of hunting last longer if i waited 'til December.  That season is tough in my opinion.  The brush and trees still have all there foliage and it is usually supper crunchy in the oaks where i hunt.  Seems like the big ones go nocturnal about that time but it is not impossible my any means to get a buck, you will earn it though.

[Pat/Rick]

Me and Rick will be seeing you up there again elksnout! Bet you can hardly wait huh?

[elksnout]

Me and the son drew the late buck tag for the Wind. So except for bear I do not expect to spend a whole lot of time in the upper Washougal this fall. In fact our plan is to blow out of elk camp on Tues and move into the Wind to fill our tags. I think we will use my trailer instead of setting up the wall tent twice in one week. But back to the early deer M/L hunt. It is dry and crunchy in there then {578} and we were bowhunting but we always did see a fair amount of legal bucks off of the Fisher Hill area. At the time the east side of the road was the Grayback but now it's the West Klickitat. And yes I am getting excited just thinking about this fall. Come on crisp mornings....

[AWS]

Too HOT, drop a deer and first you have to battle flies and yellow jackets and then go like crazy to find a locker/butcher, I quess you pack along a small freezer and a generator.  Tried it a few time and ended putting the rifle away and going fishing.

AWS