This year those with an any bull permit only get one day to hunt before the general season starts. The permit seasons always start on October 1st, while the general muzzleloader elk begins on the first Saturday in October. Next year, general season will begin on the 1st, the same day as the special permit hunts. The following year (2012) as long as they keep everything the same, the general hunt will begin on the 6th, giving the permit hunters five days of hunting without the crowds of people. So if you're going to draw a muzzleloader bull elk permit in the near future, you might want to wait for 2012.